Leicester City have miserably failed in their defence of the Premier League title as the Foxes couldn’t even manage a spot in the top half of the Premier League table. They have finished the season in a disappointing 12th position, a severe drop from last year’s performance. Having flirted with the relegation zone for most of the time the Foxes had an awful start to the 2017/18 campaign. During the entire first half of the season, Claudio Ranieri failed to implement his strategy and also the players seemed to have lost the faith in him and as a result, the Foxes owner had to part ways with him despite him guiding them to their maiden Premier League title last season.
Craig Shakespeare took the charge of this team in the middle of the season and like a captain of the ship he guided the team to a definite destination. Players like Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy who were struggling started to replicate their form from last season.
Stars
Kasper Schmeichel– The Dane has to be given credit for his indomitable antics in the Foxes goal and despite his team struggling he maintained a solid spirit to build the platform for the remainder of the season. His two penalty saves against Sevilla in the Champions League proved to be very crucial as they went to make history after cruising to the semis in their maiden season in the Champions League.
Riyad Mahrez– The Algerian probably saved his best for the last as he produced some sparkling form of late to ensure they don’t give up. Mahrez created a staggering 49 chances which is reasonably worse than the last season but looking at their current form we could say it is not that bad.
Craig Shakespeare– The former assistant of Ranieri saved a sinking ship from disaster. The manager put all his footballing ideas at stake as he pulled up Leicester City from a submerged position. He won his first five Premier League games and also ensured that the team stayed on the right path.
Duds
Islam Slimani– Slimani’s season had been mostly hampered by injuries and the forward wasn’t able to assist Vardy most of the time. Foxes spent a whopping £30m on him but he hasn’t done something to be worthwhile of that amount.
Danny Drinkwater– The midfielder was one of the key players in the revolutionary last campaign but couldn’t pull the strings this time. The absence of N’Golo Kante was felt from time to time as the midfielder failed to fulfil the promises he showed in the last season.
Danny Simpson– The defender suffered a disastrous campaign but due to the absence of any alternative options both the coaches had to field him in every match.
