Leicester City, Ranieri riding high after dream Premier League start
If you were asked who was the most improved European team of the season, you may have to think a little before admitting the season is too young for such a question. However, in the English Premier League, we’re already 3 games in and have completed the first round of one of […]
If you were asked who was the most improved European team of the season, you may have to think a little before admitting the season is too young for such a question. However, in the English Premier League, we’re already 3 games in and have completed the first round of one of the domestic cups, and one team has come to the fore – Leicester City.
The Foxes are playing their second successive season in the top tier after finishing 14th last season, just six points from a relegation place.
In the summer changes were made, the most important was the coach. Outspoken Nigel Pearson, who had guided the club to Premier League status, was sacked, and Claudio Ranieri was brought in.
SEE MORE: Claudio Ranieri says Riyad Mahrez is ‘not for sale’ at any price.
Ranieri of course will be familiar with EPL fans for his time with Chelsea over a decade ago. The Italian comes with a wealth of experience, having coached Roma, Juventus, Napoli, Monaco and a whole host of clubs. Indeed, in a 29-year coaching career, Ranieri has overseen 14 different teams and came to Leicester after his time coaching the Greece national team.
Trophy-wise, Ranieri has a poor return, and if you discount winning the French Ligue 2 with Monaco, he hasn’t won any silverware in a decade. Even then his trophy cabinet is sparse, with mostly domestic cup wins. He has never won a league in a top tier.
However, we need to rewind a little and remember why Leicester has the popular Italian. Leicester is not going to win the league anytime soon. But Ranieri is there to oversee that the club make positive strides for European qualification. A cup run and or win also wouldn’t go amiss.
Because of his connections, the club has already brought in genuine quality. Eyebrows were raised when they captured Gokhan Inler, so impressive for Napoli over the last few seasons, for just $4 million. Sure, Inler is 31, but the role he plays in midfield means that the club can get a good four seasons out of him, at least.
Leicester went the whole of preseason unbeaten, but it has been their impressive start to the Premier League campaign that has seen them in the deserved spotlight.
From their opening three games, they have seven points and currently find themselves in second place, two points behind Manchester City.
SEE MORE: Claudio Ranieri believes he started rotation policy trend.
So far they have beaten Sunderland, 4-2, West Ham, 2-1 and drew against Tottenham, 1-1, to remain undefeated. The Foxes followed this up with a 4-1 demolishing of Bury this week in the League Cup.
Leicester are riding high, and the club and Ranieri deserve early praise. Ultimately the fixtures will pile up and provide more testing for the Foxes, but for now they look like they are in a great place. And who would bet against them getting another three points this weekend away to newly promoted Bournemouth?
