BPL Talk: Foxes hunted down this season

By Khairul Anwar

Leicester City need to shake off their title hangover, or risk being dethroned by the chasing pack. GRAPHIC: FIONA LIM

LEICESTER City’s fairytale English Premier League (EPL) win last season brought the modern day underdog story to life.

With a rock-solid backline, quietly efficient midfield, and the deadly attacking duo of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, the Foxes proved a force to be reckoned with.

But all is not well at the King Power Stadium this season.

Claudio Ranieri’s side already have more defeats than the three they suffered in their title-winning season. They have also failed to deliver in front of goal, scoring only 11 goals compared to 19 at this point last season.

The team has struggled to cope with the off-season departure of midfield workhorse N’Golo Kante to Chelsea.

According to British football news website FourFourTwo.com, Kante’s only season at Leicester saw him make 175 tackles in the league, which was 31 more than any other player, and 156 interceptions, 15 more than any other player.

The Frenchman’s departure left a hole in the spine of the team, with Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea all managing to score at least three goals against the Foxes.

The lack of pace from ageing centre-backs Robert Huth and Wes Morgan has been painfully exposed as the midfield duo of Daniel Amartey and Danny Drinkwater have failed to shield the back four as well as Kante did.

But Leicester’s problems run far deeper. Opponents seem to have gotten used to the old-fashioned 4-4-2 system that Ranieri employs.

While the formation helped them hit opponents on the counter last season, teams have now nullified the threat of striker Vardy and winger Mahrez by sitting deep to deny them the space to exploit.

With only two goals in the league so far, Vardy seems to have misplaced his scoring boots. At this stage last season, the Englishman had nine goals.

His partner in crime Mahrez has not fared much better. One goal — a penalty — in nine EPL matches is a poor return for the reigning Professional Football Association Player of the Year.

Another reason for Leicester’s failings this term could be due to the second season syndrome — a downturn in fortunes of a club in its second season, after an unexpected strong finish in its first season back in the top flight.

The Foxes’ current malaise mirrors French side Montpellier’s fortunes after their triumph in the 2011-2012 Ligue 1 season.

Despite claiming a first-ever title just three seasons after promotion, Montpellier finished ninth the following season with 16 losses.

In contrast to their abysmal league form, Leicester are doing well in their maiden Champions League campaign. Three wins and three clean sheets in as many games mean that the Foxes are within touching distance of qualifying for the knockout stages for the first time in their history.

Leicester’s success in Europe could be due to playing against higher quality opponents who allow them only an average of 40 per cent of possession.

But it would mean nothing if an early Champions League exit and poor league form cost them a place in European football next season.

While new signing Islam Slimani has two league goals to his name, he has only played in four games as compared to Vardy’s eight.

Given that all three of Slimani’s goals for Leicester this season — two in the EPL, one in the Champions League — came from headers, a more direct style may benefit them.

For if Leicester do not recover soon, they will turn from champs to chumps.