The Premier League journey is a see-saw in action. The ride of any English team is full of surprises and twists and Leicester City is perhaps a prime example of that.
Leicester City wrote themselves a fairy tale that grasped the attention of the entire world in the 2015-16 season. From being threatened by relegation in the 2014-15 season, Ranieri’s side went on to an incredible title win the next season as the world stood to watch in amazement.
Winning the Premier League changed the club overnight. They had become one of the English sides to represent Europe, and were being referred to as “English Champions”.
Despite signing new players that summer, they followed up their title-winning season in disappointing fashion by finishing outside top ten. The club was experiencing the true force of the English league and fans were scared that the clock had perhaps come a full round.
It seems Leicester City is doing a mini-reenactment of their three-year-old story this season in the Premier League. A disappointing start that saw manager Craig Shakespeare pay the ultimate price with his job was followed by a rejuvenation in form with the arrival of new manager Claude Puel. A run that started towards the end of September saw the club win 7 of their 10 matches and losing only one.
However, in the last 10 days, the club has played four matches, losing three and drawing one and cracks have started appearing once again. Their 2-1 loss today to Watford showed that Puel is yet to complete his task at the club and Leicester are not yet back to their glorious form of their title-winning season.
They took the lead in the match but failed to hold on to it and fell behind in the third quarter of the match. Despite having almost half an hour to equalize the Foxes failed. Here is a look at the player ratings from their 2-1 defeat to Watford.
Kasper Schmeichel: 5.5
Not his best match by any means and could have done more to be not beaten from such a narrow-angle.
Aleksandar Dragovic: 5.5
His first full debut at right back and still needs time to get used to the league’s pace.
Wes Morgan: 5
Needs to more as captain to organize his team from set plays and overall defensive structure.
Harry Maguire: 4.5
Walked on egg-shells all match after his early booking and needs to be more pro-active in the game.
Ben Chilwell: 6
A defender who is good on the attack but shaky while having to defend.
Andy King: 5.5
Did the basics right on the pitch but more can be expected from him in a match where his team is chasing the match.
Wilfred Ndidi: 6
A fighter without the ball, he likes to cover every blade of grass and win the ball back for his team. Needs to be more productive once he wins it back though.
Riyad Mahrez: 7
A lovely headed goal to give his team the lead.
Shinji Okazaki: 6.5
A typical Okazaki like performance but needs to do more than just basics with his team chasing three points.
Marc Albrighton: 7
Leicester’s best player on the night. He put in a lovely cross for Mahrez’s opener.
Jamie Vardy: 5.5
Not his best night in a Leicester shirt.
