da cassino： It’s been great whilst it’s lasted, Leicester.
da realsbet： Claudio Ranieri’s side have pulled off some of the most dramatic victories in the history of the league and they are going to win the most unlikely Premier League title in the history of the competition. The team of zeroes that Claudio Ranieri begun with a now a team of world heroes.
Unfortunately, all the brilliance of Leicester’s proud Foxes is likely to disappear from the King Power Stadium this summer.
Much like when Southampton sprung to people’s attention – albeit after a markedly less remarkable campaign – the money bags of the European elite picked the squad apart like hyenas around a fresh carcass.
Their journey to success will surely be converted into a trashy Hollywood movie and they will all receive a lovely pay cheque from sponsors next season, but the dream of world dominance may be just that, a dream.
As the big boys circle the temptation of tabloid obsession, fancy cars and bench warming might be too much for some of Leicester’s heroes.
Could these FIVE leave this summer?
Jeffrey Schlupp
Although Schlupp has been restricted to appearances as a substitutes’ for much of this campaign, the flying left-sided player will attract interest this summer.
Still only 23, Schlupp is capable at both ends of the pitch and his electric pace is bound to pique the interest of any club looking for a bit of natural width this summer.
Christian Fuchs has made the left-back role his own and Schlupp may think that his minutes will be limited next season.
Jamie Vardy
What more is there to say about Jamie Vardy?
For all his goals and endless sprints, Vardy’s age may well mean that he remains at Leicester.
The biggest of clubs will wonder how they can use Vardy’s best attributes against sides who set up in a low block and, despite being a great asset, the ex-Fleetwood man is rather limited.
Leicester would, understandably, demand a seismic fee for their leading goal scorer and that will surely be enough to put off the big boys. At 29 years old, Vardy is an injury or two away from losing his all-important pace and that might be enough for Leicester to keep their troublesome forward.
Alas, goals are popular, so maybe a Manchester United or Spurs may throw some cash at the forward.
Shinji Okazaki
As Vardy and Mahrez have been caked in praise, Okazaki has quietly gone about his business and is one of the most under-rated cogs in Ranieri’s counter-attacking machine.
A tireless worker with a real football brain, Okazaki has often dropped into more of an attacking midfield role to link the midfield with the game-stretching runs of Vardy.
His five league goals might suggest that Leonardo Ulloa should have started more regularly, but it has actually been Okazaki’s ability to adapt his game depending on his partner that has been most impressive… and this may attract a savvy with a bit of cash to use.
Riyad Mahrez
Very few people expected anyone other than Riyad Mahrez to win the PFA Player of the Year award – and he did.
Dips in form during the second half of the season have been compensated for by regular match-winning performances and his 17 goals and 11 league assists reflect this perfectly.
Even more remarkable than his twinkling feet is Mahrez’s shooting. Scoring 17 Premier League goals is impressive enough, but his ability to shoot from both feet and secure his return from only 2.7 shots per game is stunning.
Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United, as well as many more, will all be linked with Mahrez this summer, you’d expect, and it will probably take a near-record fee to lure him away from the King Power.
N’Golo Kante
Suffering the same ‘under-rated’ treatment as many great defensive midfielders, Kante is certainly no longer under-rated or under-valued by Leicester.
With a shortage of truly dynamic midfielders in the modern game, the biggest of European clubs are sure to be looking at the Leicester man.
Kante has had a zero to hero story as admirable as both Vardy and Mahrez and it looks as though he could be on the move this summer. No other midfielder from a top half club comes close to Kante statistically, and his ability to both break-up play and spring a counter-attack with a lung busting run from deep is remarkable.