The Impossible Dream

In the 1450s, Richard Neville, the 16th Earl of Warwick, emerged into the centre of English politics. Neville was one of the leading figures in the War of the Roses and was instrumental in the deposition of two kings, Edward IV and Henry VI, earning him the title of ‘The Kingmaker’.

Fast forward 550 years and a new Kingmaker roams the Midlands. Claudio Ranieri has spearheaded Leicester City’s title-winning Premier League side and has seen his group of so-called ‘reject’ footballers crowned kings by the city of Leicester and English football. Richard Neville wasn’t a man to take credit for his importance in the crowning of kings and Ranieri is no different. For him, the team has made a nation believe.

As a life-long Leicester City fan I have been somewhat quiet in recent works; reserved in my judgement, waiting, hoping for the impossible to become a reality. “It’s Leicester”, I thought, “things like this don’t happen to Leicester.” Now the dream is a reality, Leicester City are Premier League champions, winners of the top division for the first time in their 132 year club history. Now is the time to speak.

To any supporter of any ‘ordinary’ club, and by that I mean anyone who is considered to be outside of the current ‘elite’ of English football, those who are considered to have zero chance of winning the Premier League, I cannot describe how it feels to be a life-long Foxes fan at this moment. It is an unbelievable feeling, rivalled by none. 12 hours on, I am still in shock that this season has actually happened.

As a fan, I have experienced the lowest point in the club’s history, relegation to England’s third-tier for the first time in 2008, and now the club’s highest ebb after winning the highest accolade of them all, with the only constant, Andy King.

As a 15-year old when I saw City relegated to League One after drawing 0-0 with Stoke City on the final day of the Championship season I could only dream of Premier League glory, not even convinced of League One glory and the future of the club in itself.

The following year when I saw Matt Oakley lift the League One trophy I didn’t think I would experience much better a feeling, once again I dreamt of Premier League glory.

We suffered heartbreak to THAT Yann Kermorgant penalty in the Championship Play-off semi-finals at Cardiff in 2010, and endured two seasons of turmoil and inconsistency in the years since after losing manager Nigel Pearson to Hull and enlisting first Paulo Sousa, and then the free-spending former-England manager Sven Goran-Eriksson to the mantle.

The club’s Thai owners came in and Sven spent poorly, although I will thank him for Kasper Schmeichel. The dream of the Premier League seemed a million miles away.

In 2011, Pearson returned and the following season City suffered more heartbreak in the Play-offs, this time to THAT Troy Deeney goal. I am not ashamed to say I cried that day, the tears of the Leicester City rollercoaster’s inevitable dip.

In the 2013-14 season the Foxes were revitalised and Pearson guided the club to the Championship title in emphatic fashion, Lloyd Dyer scoring the winning goal against Bolton to secure the title. Once again, I cried, tears of joy this time. “This feeling couldn’t be topped” I thought, the players themselves were crowned kings of Leicester, Pearson then the Kingmaker.

I again dreamed the Premier League, this time we had made it and the dream of the title was nothing more than a crazy fantasy.

Last season saw the greatest escape the Premier League has ever seen, a run of 7 wins in 9 games saw the Foxes remain in England’s top division after being rooted to the bottom of the table for several months.

Now was different, I only dreamed survival, the title dream was an impossible one and survival was all that mattered.

A strange summer ensued, Pearson, who deserves plenty of credit for what has happened this season, was removed and Ranieri was named manager of Leicester City.

I wrote an article back in July/August berating the decision, questioning the logic of the board and questioning Ranieri’s recent record. Like many other City fans, including Gary Lineker, and journalists, I was critical of the club, and for that I can ecstatically, enthusiastically and happily admit I was horrendously wrong.

The Italian got us dreaming, believing the impossible could be achieved. In his own words, “the fans are dreaming, we want to dream”, my title dreams began again.

I have seen plenty of incredible things in my relatively short lifetime, bags full of magic moments from Lilian Nalis’ screamer against Leeds, Paul Gallagher’s thunderbolt right footers, Jermaine Beckford’s hat-trick against Forest, Knockaert’s 90th minute winner at Forest, Steve Howard’s bullet-header to beat Leeds, Jamie Vardy’s last minute winner at West Brom last season, City’s demolition of Manchester United in September 2014, but nothing comes close to what I have witnessed this season.

Everything that has happened this year I will be telling my kids, my grandkids about. In truth, I will take this feeling and these memories to the grave with me, and I will enter the next life with a smile on my face knowing Leicester City have a Premier League title to their name and I was there to witness it.

My childhood dream is now a reality, and this isn’t just a story for Leicester to be proud of, this is a story of the sporting world as a whole to be proud of. No matter who you are, what your dreams, what your set backs are in life, you can be whoever you want to be.

Ranieri’s squad are in essence a collection of ‘rejects’, constructed together to fight the established elite with the same passion, drive and commitment to the cause as the Napoleon’s French Revolutionary fighters, as the Suffragettes of the early 20th Century and as the Chartists fighting political repression in the 1800s.

Marc Albrighton, Danny Drinkwater, Danny Simpson, Kasper Schmeichel, Robert Huth all rejected in some way during their careers. Jamie Vardy’s rags-to-riches story, N’Golo Kante from France’s fourth tier and Riyad Mahrez from France’s second-tier, fighting to make a name for themselves, and succeeding in the most emphatic of ways.

Leicester City are not just kings of the East Midlands, they are freedom fighters who have made a statement to the world that rejection is not the end, and they are all kings in their own right.

No matter who you are, a dream doesn’t have to be a dream. For me, my club has made my dream a reality.

And that is but a snippet of how it feels to be a Leicester City fan on 3rd May 2016.

Thank you, Claudio.

Foxes Duo Set For New Deals

Claudio Ranieri is set to offer new deals to Leicester City duo Kasper Schmeichel and Danny Simpson in a bid to keep hold of his side’s star performers.

Schmeichel, 29, has been a pivotal part of the Foxes success this season keeping eight clean sheets in twenty-five league games, whilst full-back Simpson, also 29, has pinned down a regular starting spot performing exceptionally in City’s 3-1 win at Manchester City on Saturday.

A fresh contract was struck with top goal scorer Jamie Vardy last week and now the Italian looks likely to ensure the future of two more of his key men during the title run-in.

A deal for Kasper Schmeichel would see his wages rise to £60,000 a-week from his current £40,000 contract and would keep the Dane at the club until 2019.

With speculation rife over the former Leeds United goalkeeper’s future, amidst reported interest from his father, Peter’s old club Manchester United, Ranieri has moved fast to keep hold of his Champions League chasing shot-stopper.

Danny Simpson’s wages will also increase and a new deal would see him remain in the East Midlands until 2018.

The Englishman signed for the Foxes in 2014 after they secured promotion back to the Premier League and has since been instrumental in the club’s rise to the summit of English football.

The former Manchester United and Newcastle defender’s efforts have been largely overlooked for large parts of the campaign due to the club’s leading stars Vardy and Riyad Mahrez stealing the headlines, but his work rate and commitment are now becoming recognised.

It is widely expected that both will remain at the King Power Stadium and put pen to paper in the coming days.

 

Vardy Set For New Contract

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy is ready to sign a new contract with the club according to reports.

The 29-year old has been central to Leicester’s success story which sees the club three points clear at the top of the Premier League with 15 games remaining.

Vardy has scored 16 goals in the Foxes’ 23 league games this term and is ready to sign a new contract at the King Power Stadium.

Reports suggest he will pen a new deal keeping him at the club until 2019.

Vardy will also earn a significant salary increase in the process, improving on his current £40,000 a week contract.

With interest high during the January transfer window in the Premier League’s top scorer the news will come as a relief to the club’s fans as Claudio Ranieri looks to keep hold of his star man.

Vardy is likely to feature in Leicester’s home clash with Liverpool tonight.

Leicester Poised To Sign Amartey

Leicester City are on the brink of signing Ghana international defender Daniel Amartey for a fee believed to be around £6million.

Amartey is travelling to the East Midlands today to complete a medical and agree personal terms after FC Copenhagen accepted an offer for his services at the weekend.

The 21-year old can play anywhere across the back-line as well as defensive midfield and will join a Foxes side joint-top of the Premier League with Arsenal.

A statement from FC Copenhagen said only a “few minor details” remained to be finalised.

Amartey, who has won six international caps, has played 63 games for FC Copenhagen since joining them in 2014.

“Daniel has been a role model and a key player for us, and he has improved dramatically and faster than anyone could have expected,” FC Copenhagen manager Stale Solbakken said.

“He has handled his success and all the attention extremely well, and it is a dream come true for him to play in the Premier League for a club who have targeted him for a longer period.

“We wish Daniel all the best in the Premier League and we are sure he will have a great career.”

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri refused to comment on the deal ahead of the Foxes’ FA Cup third round replay against Tottenham on Wednesday.

“You know I only speak when some new players come,” he said. “Until that, I’m sorry – wait a little more.

“I want good players to improve my squad – Amartey is one of these, but I don’t know. I wait.”

Amartey will become Leicester’s second signing of the January transfer window after the arrival of winger Demarai Gray from Birmingham last week for £3.7million.

 

 

Mourinho Bemoans ‘Disgraceful’ Ball Boys

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said Leicester City deserved to beat his struggling Chelsea side on Monday night but branded the ball boys at the King Power stadium a “disgrace to the Premier League.”

Leicester moved back to the top of the Premier League table with goals from Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez condemning Mourinho’s side to just a point above the relegation zone.

But afterwards Mourinho launched a bizarre attack on the Foxes’ ball boys as his side failed to score an equalising goal after Loic Remy reduced the deficit.

“They fought with everything and defended everything,” he said.

“We just couldn’t score. The ball boys were amazing too.

“The ball boy point I just say because it is a disgrace for the Premier League.”

Chelsea host Norwich at the weekend as they look to avoid dropping into the relegation zone for the first time this season.

Majestic Mahrez Stuns Chelsea

Leicester City produced a brilliant performance to beat Champions Chelsea at the King Power Stadium last night increasing the pressure on Jose Mourinho.

Claudio Ranieri’s men returned to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-1 win over the Blues in a match which saw Chelsea drop to just one-point above the relegation zone.

Jamie Vardy’s 15th goal of the season before half time and Riyad Mahrez’ superb curling solo finish shortly after the break sealed the win for the Foxes.

Chelsea substitute Loic Remy pulled one back but Leicester defended valiantly to hold on and replace Manchester City at the summit of the table.

Mourinho’s job now hangs in the balance with his Chelsea side collecting just 4 wins from the opening 16 games.

Ranieri kept faith with the same eleven who started the 3-0 win away at Swansea last weekend and Mahrez, who scored all three goals at the Liberty Stadium, tested Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois inside two minutes with a curling effort from distance.

The hosts maintained their high-tempo start but suffered a blow when playmaker Danny Drinkwater was replaced in the 17th minute by Andy King after suffering a hamstring injury.

Chelsea settled soon after but then were forced into a change themselves when last season’s player of the year Eden Hazard had to be brought off after a clash with Vardy in the 31st minute.

Vardy inflicted further misery on Mourinho just a few minutes later when man-of-the-match Mahrez’ tantalising cross evaded the static Kurt Zouma and was volleyed beyond Courtois by the oncoming Vardy.

Chelsea came close to an immediate equaliser, but Nemanja Matic’s looping header clipped the crossbar and went behind.

Mourinho’s side were unable to get a shot on target in the first half and three minutes after the restart the Foxes made them pay.

Mahrez controlled the impressive Albrighton’s cross exquisitely before shimmying magnificently away from Cesar Azpilicueta and curling a fine finish into the opposite corner.

Chelsea’s first shot on target finally came in the 62nd minute, but, after being released by Cesc Fabregas, Costa was well denied by Kasper Schmeichel.

Chelsea came close from the resulting corner when the Dane failed to collect the initial cross in from Willian’s corner but Ivanovic was denied at the back post by a fine block from full-back Christian Fuchs.

Mourinho then switched to a three-man defence and Remy headed home a Pedro cross to halve the deficit with 13 minutes remaining, but Leicester held out a nervy final 10 minutes to a rapturous reception from the home fans.

After the final whistle, Mourinho spoke of feeling “betrayed” by his players in the defeat.

He said; “They deserved to win because they were better than us during a long period of time. I think we were the best team, I will say for 20-25 minutes, maximum 30 minutes. They were the best team for one hour.

“They were very consistent and very focussed. They didn’t make any mistakes. They were aggressive with everybody playing high intensity, high tempo with a great mentality. It was difficult for us and then we conceded two goals that are unacceptable to me because I know one of my best qualities is to read the game for my players.

“It is to read the opponent and identify every detail about the opponent. These two goals, the movement of Vardy between the two central defenders then the cross with the left foot. The Mahrez in the box one against one – I want one against two because I want the midfield player to close the best foot.

“(The) two goals are difficult to accept because I feel like my work was betrayed.”

With his side now 14 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United, Mourinho was asked if his side’s top-four chances had gone;

“Yes. Clearly, yes”, he replied.

In stark contrast City manager Claudio Ranieri said he was “very satisfied” with his side’s performance and that his team must stay “grounded” when faced with the expectation their current position sees them in.

He said; “We played against the champions but we want to make a fantastic match for our fans because they believe, they are dreaming.

“It is good if they continue to dream but for us it was important to make a great performance with a fantastic spirit. (Also) tactically I am very satisfied. We concentrated for 95 minutes against the champions. That is not easy.

“For our fans we are top of the league, but for me and my players we need another five points. Don’t laugh. It is the truth.”

Leicester travel to Everton on Saturday looking to extend their lead at the top, whilst Chelsea host Norwich at Stamford Bridge.

Foxes Target Demarai Gray

Leicester City have revitalised their pursuit of highly-rated Birmingham winger Demarai Gray, the Mirror understands.

The talented 19-year old was subject to a bid by City manager Claudio Ranieri in the summer, where the Foxes triggered a release clause in his contract but Gray opted to stay at St Andrews.

The fee, believed to be around £3 million would represent great business for a player who has shown a great deal of potential in the last 12 months for the Blues.

Gray opted to stay at Birmingham due to a better chance of first-team football, but with the Blues not a certainty for the promotion race, the England Under-20 international could be tempted elsewhere.

Claudio Ranieri has stated that City are not looking to strengthen in January but should Gray become available, the possibility of loaning the teenager back to St Andrews for the remainder of the season could be an option.

Gray has featured in 21 games for the Blues this season, scoring once.

Defeat At Leicester Could Spell The End For Mourinho

Jose Mourinho’s time in charge of Chelsea could come to an abrupt end should the Blues lose at leaders Leicester on Monday.

The champions travel to the King Power Stadium having collected just 15 points from 15 games this season, sitting 17 points adrift of their high-flying opponents.

This in itself is a stark contrast from last season where at the same stage, Chelsea were top and Leicester were bottom with 26 points separating them.

Coincidentally, the man who Mourinho took the job of during his first stint in charge at Stamford Bridge will be in the opposite dugout on Monday, and could be the man to drive the sword in the Portuguese’s’ back.

Ranieri spent 4 seasons in charge at the Bridge and despite being remembered fondly by the fans, his treatment by owner Roman Abramovich was far from pleasant.

Incidentally, should Chelsea lose at Leicester it will be the manner of defeat which will matter most for Mourinho.

If the Foxes scrape a scruffy 1-0 win the result will not be as glaring but if Leicester turn on the style, as they have been doing in recent weeks, Mourinho’s men will really have it tough.

Chelsea lost 1-0 at home to Bournemouth on Saturday but did not deserve to lose.

If Ranieri’s Foxes come out all guns blazing, Chelsea could find themselves on the end of a battering.

With all Mourinho’s multimillion pound, match-winning talent, losing doesn’t seem to hurt enough for Stamford Bridge’s superstars.

They have become complacent, lethargic and careless since winning the league, everything Leicester City are not.

City play with energy, raw pace, unpredictability and more importantly, sheer fighting spirit.

The King Power Stadium has been transformed into a medieval fortress.

The fans cheer on their team with the thunderous passion you could expect of a Viking landing fleet, or a 15th Century cult.

As a result, Leicester have lost only 4 times at home in 2015, just the once this term.

I don’t know about you, but if I was Jose Mourinho, I would not be looking forward to a trip to the East Midlands in a do-or-die effort to save my job.

The ‘Special One’ has a battle on his hands, and Monday could be Armageddon.

Foxes Eye Austin Swoop

Leicester City are considering reigniting their pursuit of QPR striker Charlie Austin when the January transfer window opens in three weeks time.

The Premier League leaders are looking to add fire power to their squad after finding themselves surprise candidates for the league title.

Claudio Ranieri was understood to have had a £12 million bid for the 26-year old poacher rejected by the Championship club in the summer but a further bid is looking likely as the Foxes look to find a suitable strike partner for league top-scorer Jamie Vardy.

Summer signing Shinji Okazaki and last season’s club top-scorer Leonardo Ulloa have only managed to muster 3 league goals between them since August, with Austin firing 8.

Riyad Mahrez has scored 10 in the Premier League this season, including a hat-trick in Leicester’s 3-0 win at Swansea on Saturday, but Austin could prove just what Ranieri’s men need.

Leicester need a striker who is not afraid to contribute defensively, something both Okazaki and Ulloa have produced well so-far this term, but primarily a goalscorer lethal in the opposing penalty area to make use of the bundle of chances the fast-paced Foxes create.

Austin also boasts an impressive aerial presence which could aid City patch-up their only considerable weakness, their defensive vulnerability from set-plays.

With the Englishman’s contract expiring at the end of the season, Austin could be a prime candidate for a Premier League move, and at a cut price at that.

Ranieri Confident of Vardy and Mahrez Stay

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has today revealed he is confident of keeping hold of the club’s star performers, Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, beyond next summer.

The Foxes are the surprise leaders of the Barclay’s Premier League after losing just once in their last 13 games; most recently beating Newcastle United 3-0 at St. James’ Park on Saturday.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference before Saturday’s top of the table clash with Manchester United, Ranieri outlined his plans to make “champions” of Vardy and Mahrez.

He said; “I think we are building a very good construction. I understand if somebody wants to go but I believe in the next year Leicester, slowly, slowly, can grow up and battle with the top.

“At the moment we’re very happy and also Jamie is happy with us and he can continue to show his strength with us. Jamie, Riyad, everyone.

“This is our project. I spoke to the owners not now, in July (about it). People believe in me – I believe in me too.”

League top-scorer with 13 goals in 13 games, Vardy has been Leicester’s centrepiece this season along with 7 goal and 6 assist Mahrez guiding the club to the summit of the Premier League table.

Having equalled the record with Ruud Van Nistelrooy for goals in consecutive top-flight games on Saturday (at 10), Ranieri praised his character with the former Fleetwood striker on the brink of history.

“Jamie is now a champion. He has to take confidence in this. For me he is a champion if he thinks more about the team and not himself. Maybe I would like the other players to think about Jamie, this is what I would like to see on Saturday.

“In football all strikers have good moments and bad moments. Now everything is okay but its important  to see Jamie when everything is wrong. He’s a strong character because he comes from non-league.

“The record is for everybody. Jamie is the tip of the iceberg.”

Ranieri is likely to pick an unchanged line-up for the game at the King Power Stadium on Saturday with just Matty James unavailable.