Last season saw all the punters who predicted a Leicester City win claim win, and win big as they did. However, this time around, Claudio Ranieri has set aside his targets for the season. 40 points he said, almost half of the total points they managed to get last season. With the movie industry also making waves about a biopic on the Premier League’s newest fairy tale, Ranieri and the rest of the Leicester management will have to get their heads together and plan for the upcoming season. 

What has happened so far?

So far, the new season of Leicester’s yearbook reads a few losses to top quality oppositions in pre-season friendlies. A loss to Paris Saint-Germain followed by yet another loss to Barcelona showcases a short preview of the Champions League Nights that will be expected at the King Power Stadium. However, the most disappointing loss would definitely have been the loss against Manchester United in the Community Shield. The two former bosses of Chelsea clashed at Wembley with the most recent one claiming a slender 2-1 win.

However, in spite of that, it is clear that Leicester City will put up a fight to defend the title they were ‘allowed’ to claim last season. Moreover, the fact that they also showed a combination of grit and genius from the previous season when Jamie Vardy netted in an opportunistic goal for the side following a Marouane Fellaini error. The transfer window has been a highly successful one for the club. They have managed to add depth in their squad by the addition of quality and proven players in the league. 

The new signings

For many, Ranieri has been ‘smart’ in his dealings thus far. Of course, one cannot rule out the heavy loss of N’golo Kante. Yet, his squad additions have been something typical of a quality yet low budget side. The first to make his way in was Ron Roberto Zieler, the former Manchester United trainee, and a backup for Manuel Neuer in the German team. Youngster Raul Uche and Spanish defender Luis Hernandez joined on the same day. Thus, in just one day, Ranieri fortified the backbone of the Leicester City lineup.

The course of the week saw Nampalys Mendy and Nigerian forward Ahmed Musa added to the side. The former was brought in simply in order to provide as a backup for Daniel Amartey and somewhat of a replacement for N’golo Kante. The most recent signing has been that of Polish winger Bartosz Kapustka. With the backbone now solid, it is clear that Ranieri is leaving nothing to chance when it comes to competing in the Champions League.

What to expect

They fought to the core last season. They won the title. Thus, there is no reason why they will not do the same this time around. By some miracle, Ranieri has been able to hold on to his stalwarts from the previous season. Although the offers have rung in for Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, Ranieri has managed to hold onto the hit men from the previous season. In spite of the ageing central defensive partnership, it is clear that they will have to be bullied to the fullest if someone was to take their title away from them.

One of the most important players as far as Ranieri will be concerned will be Danny Drinkwater. After having been left out of the England side for the 2016 Euros. Drinkwater will be hoping to make a mark and attempt to channel his frustrations in a positive manner. It, however, remains to be seen who partners the 26-year old in midfield. Shinji Okazaki and Leo Ulloa will be looking to reprise the similar roles they performed the previous season. In a nutshell, most will be expecting the same Leicester of last season to show up yet again. 

Probable Playing XI