Topic: Leicester City AKA The Plutocrats

[Jookie]

They clearly should have seen top four out, considering where they were with 10 games to go. That they only managed to get 13 points out of their last 30 is really, really poor. At the same tiime, you can argue they've overachieved as they probably have the seventh best squad in the league and managed to finish fifth. As always, context is everything. 12 months ago if you told us we'd finish third we'd be devastated, but the context of the season means it feels like a huge victory.

So you can easily paint the picture that they've twice failed to make top four on the final day of the season, but equally they can tell each other that they're good enough to mix it at the upper reaches of the table and that unlike, say, West Ham, it's something they can do again next year. Couple that with the FA Cup win and I don't think they'll be too despondent.

Got to agree with this.

If I was a Leicester fan I'd be focusing on the positives. Firstly, they got a trophy and secondly they showed last seasons 5th place finish wasn't a fluke. It's fair to say that they are the 5th best team in this league and better than the likes of Spurs, Arsenal.

They also look like a club that will add to their squad rather then lose players this summer. You never know for sure since Maguire, Chilwell etc.. have been sold the last few summers. If they can add a bit more depth at CB, CM (Soumare) and potentially another CF then I think they'll be there or there about for CL places again in 2021/22. That's a big improvement for Leicester and shows some consistent development despite how the last 2 seasons have ended with some disappointment.

[El Lobo]

Ins and outs should be interesting.

Fofana, Soyuncu, Castagne, Justin, Ndidi, Tielemans, Barnes, Maddison and Iheanacho are all 25 or younger

But they've got Vardy deteriorating pretty rapidly, Wes Morgan has retired, Schmeichel is 34 and getting worse and Albrighton is 31 and not particularly good (not that he ever was). Those are the four remaining title winners. Jonny Evans is 33.

Squad wise there's the likes of Praet, Perez, Amartey and Mendy not contributing much. Then Ricardo Perreira who hasnt looked great since returning from injury. Also still got Benkovic and Ghezzal on the books.

On the face of it you'd think they probably need 3/4 really good signings if they're to push on. Having the Europa League should be a good opportunity to bed some of those in. Big task for Rodgers.

I know they've been linked with Ings, but seems daft to go and get an injury prone 29 year old to replace a 34 year old energizer bunny. Think they could do worse than raiding Fulham for a couple of players, maybe Johnstone from West Brom.

[Oskar]

They're apparently the frontrunners to sign Edouard from Celtic, think he'd be a good signing for them. It looks like they'll sign Soumare from Lille, they're one of the clubs linked with Bertrand on a free transfer. They would need another CB and, unless they're sticking with three at the back, a wide attacking player on top of that IMO, but Edouard, Soumare and Bertrand would improve their squad if they can get those deals done.

[xbugawugax]

I think the FA cup win has "saved" Rodgers some very serious criticism by the football community for failing to finish 3rd/4th in back to back seasons on the final league game day!

That's inexcusable!

why was he saved? Just look at the amount the top 4 spend and compares it to what Leicester budget is. They area pushing above their weight to be honest and rodgers is partly to credited. Just love that Leicester stick to progressive managers and not go the route of big sam, hodgson footballing dinosaurs that scrape the bottom of the barrel.

Love it that they beat chelsea oil money to a shiny trophy as well. Still hold a soft spot for rodgers and hope he continues his football education and become an even better manager next season. He could be the difference by taking points off our rival.

[Drinks Sangria]

They're apparently the frontrunners to sign Edouard from Celtic, think he'd be a good signing for them. It looks like they'll sign Soumare from Lille, they're one of the clubs linked with Bertrand on a free transfer. They would need another CB and, unless they're sticking with three at the back, a wide attacking player on top of that IMO, but Edouard, Soumare and Bertrand would improve their squad if they can get those deals done.

All decent signings I'd say. Edouard has long been mooted as Rodger's preferred Vardy replacement - as a player he actually has far more strings to his bow and technical quality than Vardy, but won't put up the same numbers if asked to do the same greyhound-out-of-the-traps routine that is Vardy's wheelhouse. Bertrand is still a good footballer, he's actually one we didn't get years ago where Rodgers was probably right in his assessment of his capability.

Soumare as cracking buy at the fee they're talking. Lille moved some serious talent in and out in the last few years and have somehow remained competitive and even won the league title this season.

Kabak is also getting linked, we've had some discussion in the main transfer thread.

[PaulF]

If those last few games had been spread out and Leicester had flip flopped in and out of fourth, I don't think we'd be having this conversation.
The PL is practically the ESL for top four purposes.  That we've been out of it so many times this century is the shock.  It was more competitive before the two uber rich owners came in and it's great the likes of Leicester can still compete with them.
Think Rodgers is definitely the right man at the right time for Leicester.

[Alan_X]

If those last few games had been spread out and Leicester had flip flopped in and out of fourth, I don't think we'd be having this conversation.
The PL is practically the ESL for top four purposes.  That we've been out of it so many times this century is the shock.  It was more competitive before the two uber rich owners came in and it's great the likes of Leicester can still compete with them.
Think Rodgers is definitely the right man at the right time for Leicester.

This all the way. Rearrange our campaign and it would have been a different story. If you swapped our last ten games with that period after Christmas we'd have crashed from being odds-on for the title to fourth place. As it is, the story is a miraculous recovery from 8th place.

[Jwils21]

Agreed personal terms with Patson Daka, looks like they’re preparing for life without Vardy soon. He was a shadow of his former red bull fuelled self last season and Daka could well be a shrewd backfill

[Fromola]

Agreed personal terms with Patson Daka, looks like they’re preparing for life without Vardy soon. He was a shadow of his former red bull fuelled self last season and Daka could well be a shrewd backfill

Last two seasons he started very strongly and had nothing left after Christmas. If Ihenacho hadn't had that purple patch they'd have slid down the table sooner.

He's got a few months a season in him.

[thaddeus]

Agreed personal terms with Patson Daka, looks like they’re preparing for life without Vardy soon. He was a shadow of his former red bull fuelled self last season and Daka could well be a shrewd backfill

Soumara and Daka look like another two very good signings.  Talented, seemingly good fits for the Premier League and of ages where Leicester can sell them on for a healthy profit in a few year's time if they choose to do so.

Their usual summer model seems to be to make a couple of signings similar to the above and then sell one starter for a lot of money.  As they didn't quite make the CL again I expect they'll be selling either Maddison or Tielemans for more than they've spent on Soumara and Daka combined!

[[new username under construction]]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeUJay9HyTI

On youtube if anyone is bored

Guess not

Although looks like Forfana buggered

[HardworkDedication]

Sickening challenge on Fofana. That looks serious. Why the hell are players going in like this in a friggin friendly?

[Dim Glas]

yeah that’s horrible.  He’s surely out a long while after that awful ‘tackle’ (assault more like).

[67CherryRed]

Can see them signing Kabak sharpish after that.

[Welshred]

Looks like a pretty bad leg break, horrible for the lad

[Samie]

Why are dickheads going in like that in pre season games for fucks sakes?

[Kopenhagen]

Looks like a broken leg from the pictures. Nasty one.

[El Lobo]

Absolutely awful for the kid

The bloke should be banned for a long time but he won’t be

[RedSince86]

Why are dickheads going in like that in pre season games for fucks sakes?

Must be a Spanish thing.

The Seville game at Fenway a couple of summers ago was a shocker of a friendly, they were dirty bastards in that game.

[Drinks Sangria]

Must be a Spanish thing.

The Seville game at Fenway a couple of summers ago was a shocker of a friendly, they were dirty bastards in that game.

As soon as I heard about Fofana, Gnagnon’s awful challenge on Larouci is the first thing that popped into my mind too.

[bornandbRED]

Just me that thinks it wasn’t that bad a challenge? A bit hard for a friendly but he’s got the ball. Think Fofana’s ankle is just planted awkwardly. 0 intent.

[Ray K]

Must be a Spanish thing.

The Seville game at Fenway a couple of summers ago was a shocker of a friendly, they were dirty bastards in that game.

Roberto Soldado did a disgusting hack at some guys Achilles the other day too for Levante against Valencia or somebody. Absolutely wild and completely uncalled for.

That tackle on Fofana was an absolute disgrace. It's about time they brought in bans commensurate with the length of injury inflicted.

[Ghost Town]

One of the best young defenders in the league. Was looking forward to seeing more from him this season, and for Leicester to do well (except against us, of course) so this is a big blow. Injuries can happen any time but what a sickener

[HeartAndSoul]

Shame about the injury. Can see them signing kabak now which would be a great move for him

[darragh85]

Just me that thinks it wasn’t that bad a challenge? A bit hard for a friendly but he’s got the ball. Think Fofana’s ankle is just planted awkwardly. 0 intent.

i dont think it was either. entitled to go for that and took the ball. wasnt late, wasnt over the ball and wasnt even from behind. just an unfortunate outcome for Fofana. do we ban tackling altogether.


also its a week before the season starts. he has to go for that 100%

[Crosby Nick]

i dont think it was either. entitled to go for that and took the ball. wasnt late, wasnt over the ball and wasnt even from behind. just an unfortunate outcome for Fofana. do we ban tackling altogether.


also its a week before the season starts. he has to go for that 100%

Mental note never to play 5 a side with Darragh.

[darragh85]

Mental note never to play 5 a side with Darragh.

dont worry, i was the guy that got a rollicking for not making tackles like that   

[RyanBabel19]

Just me that thinks it wasn’t that bad a challenge? A bit hard for a friendly but he’s got the ball. Think Fofana’s ankle is just planted awkwardly. 0 intent.

Overstretched for it and anytime you're going in with that much behind you that you're ending over your opponents ankle like that... not injuring them is pure luck.

Also worth mentioning the same player was fouled by Fofana earlier in the game. It's an awful challenge that had a huge chance of injuring Fofana, you just dont need to fly in during pre season like that

That type of challenge is a painful one to be on the receiving end of, had a few and you do just expect something to snap because you have the opponents bodyweight on your leg and you have no way to adjust your legs to avoid injury. You can go in on the ground and still win the ball

[bornandbRED]

Overstretched for it and anytime you're going in with that much behind you that you're ending over your opponents ankle like that... not injuring them is pure luck.

Also worth mentioning the same player was fouled by Fofana earlier in the game. It's an awful challenge that had a huge chance of injuring Fofana, you just dont need to fly in during pre season like that

That type of challenge is a painful one to be on the receiving end of, had a few and you do just expect something to snap because you have the opponents bodyweight on your leg and you have no way to adjust your legs to avoid injury. You can go in on the ground and still win the ball

I don’t know… I’ve seen Gerrard make that exact challenge many times. Fofana sticks his leg out at the last second which plants it in an awkward position between Nino’s legs. Studs aren’t off the ground, one footed and he’s got the ball pretty cleanly. I think it’s just unfortunate and is actually a pretty decent challenge if not for the unfortunate position of Fofana’s leg. Admittedly a bit OTT for a friendly but I’ve seen far, far worse (Pickford on VVD prime example).

[Welshred]

Confirmed fracture fibula for Fofana

[Fromola]

Why are dickheads going in like that in pre season games for fucks sakes?

Or any game?

[thaddeus]

Confirmed fracture fibula for Fofana

A real shame for Fofana as he had an excellent first season.  Leg breaks don't seem to have any long-term detriment to player's careers these days but he'd be expected to be out until after Christmas?

It's a tricky one for Leicester as they probably don't have the wage budget to keep four senior central defenders but, for the next few months at least, they're relying on Evans and Soyuncu as their understudies aren't very good (Benkovic and probably Amartey).

[RyanBabel19]

I don’t know… I’ve seen Gerrard make that exact challenge many times. Fofana sticks his leg out at the last second which plants it in an awkward position between Nino’s legs. Studs aren’t off the ground, one footed and he’s got the ball pretty cleanly. I think it’s just unfortunate and is actually a pretty decent challenge if not for the unfortunate position of Fofana’s leg. Admittedly a bit OTT for a friendly but I’ve seen far, far worse (Pickford on VVD prime example).

You can in all fairness say i've seen far worse than most challenges in the game though.

You're always at risk when you go in over an ankle. He may have got the ball but that can still mean it's a dangerous challenge which it was IMO, it's unfortunate and it could have been avoided completely because you never need to go in like that in preseason, there's literally no reason to fly in like that in a friendly

And I love Stevie but we've all seen him make some horrendous challenges too had you said Lahm I would understand but Gerrard isn't a shining example for clean play and sportsmanship with challenges

[lamonti]

Shocking challenge in a real game, let alone a pre-season friendly.

[Welshred]

A real shame for Fofana as he had an excellent first season.  Leg breaks don't seem to have any long-term detriment to player's careers these days but he'd be expected to be out until after Christmas?

It's a tricky one for Leicester as they probably don't have the wage budget to keep four senior central defenders but, for the next few months at least, they're relying on Evans and Soyuncu as their understudies aren't very good (Benkovic and probably Amartey).

6-8 weeks I'd imagine, your fibula is non-weight bearing so not hugely important. He'll probably have a plate placed in situ to help with loading, be in a boot from the start and probably running after 3 to 4 weeks, back in training when healing has completed at about 6 weeks.

[Fromola]

6-8 weeks I'd imagine, your fibula is non-weight bearing so not hugely important. He'll probably have a plate placed in situ to help with loading, be in a boot from the start and probably running after 3 to 4 weeks, back in training when healing has completed at about 6 weeks.

I think he's waiting to see if there's further damage beyond that.

[Welshred]

I think he's waiting to see if there's further damage beyond that.

Fingers crossed that's it

[kaesarsosei]

I don't want to dredge up memories of VVD "walking off" but Fofana seemed in decent spirits in his social media update. For example I don't think Luke Shaw would have been so positive after his horror break. So perhaps Fofana got lucky and only broke 1 bone.

[Andy82lfc]

Also worth mentioning the same player was fouled by Fofana earlier in the game. It's an awful challenge that had a huge chance of injuring Fofana, you just dont need to fly in during pre season like that

Yeah just saw that. It was 3 minutes earlier Fofana trod down on Fer Nino's achilles which had him on the deck for a while, next time he got his chance he went flying at him. Crazy.

[thaddeus]

6-8 weeks I'd imagine, your fibula is non-weight bearing so not hugely important. He'll probably have a plate placed in situ to help with loading, be in a boot from the start and probably running after 3 to 4 weeks, back in training when healing has completed at about 6 weeks.

Thanks.

That's much shorter than I would have thought.  I know Gomez's injury was ankle rather than leg and required eventual ankle surgery but Gomez's six months compared to the prognosis of 6-8 weeks is surprisingly good news.