Okay, I didn't see this coming. Leicester City were on their way back down a division last season until a miraculous recovery saved them. So for this season the mantra ought to have been the same:
Survival.
Ranieri didn't get the memo. He has somehow lead Leicester up to the top of the mountain, and they've been playing some really good football as well. It's not like they've been a road team, defending their way to lucky wins and draws. They have genuinely beaten the opposition and have overall, been the best team in England and it's a far reflection that they are two points clear from Arsenal.
You see people, if this was in October or November, then I wouldn't even bother writing this article. When they were top weeks ago, I just brushed it off. Assuming that City or Arsenal would do their back and forth soon enough with that top spot. But Leicester have not slowed down, they haven't hit that rough patch. They've just kept on winning. City have slipped up, Arsenal have hit some roadblocks, but Leicester have just kept roaring on and on. People will point to Vardy, which is BS, or even Mahrez, which is a a bit closer to the truth but apart from it really being a great team effort, it's the Italian man with the glasses and those arms folded who has really masterminded this amazing story.
Ranieri's career has really been up and down, without him never really having that truly great success for him to be mentioned in the same breath as Capello, Lippi or Ancelotti. But what he is doing with Leicester so far, as we don't know how things will turn for the worse, is far better than anything his countrymen have done. This was a team who only just beat relegation and now they are right up there at the head of the Premiership, which is one of the most difficult and grueling league campaigns in the world. So I have to say it's been the management. Leicester are not overachieving, they are doing something that doesn't make any logical sense in sports terms. Ranieri is really getting the very best out of each player...and more.
But I've got to say, I don't think it will last. I contemplated it, but I cant bring myself to walk into a bookmakers and place a bet on Leicester City winning the league. As I have mentioned, they have not yet hit that rough patch, and it will come. They can't play this well for the rest of the season. I think it is when hard times come upon them that they will drift down the table. Even so, they can forget about having a relegation fight and should now realistically look at trying to get that top four or at least being in the top six. The worst thing they can do is let up, and try and think they don't deserve this. They do, and they have made the Premiership exciting to watch because of it. By them getting these results, it puts more pressure on City, United and Arsenal to step their game up.
Leicester City....Premier League Champions.....nah, it just doesn't sound right.
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