2015-16 Premier League Season Preview: Leicester City
Welcome to theScore's 2015-16 preview of Leicester City. Transfer dealings, lineup projections, and everything else you need to know about the club's upcoming campaign.
Leicester City
Avoiding relegation seems to be on the horizon once again for Leicester City when the final months approach during the club's second season in the Premier League.
An overview of Leicester's summer of transition suggests it has a tougher task thanks to the absence of important components from the side that dramatically ensured safety last year. Or perhaps it’s a mission filled with better fortunes with new leadership without manager Nigel Pearson after the club parted ways with the fiery boss just weeks after the season.
While he was considered erratic and confrontational when a camera was shoved in his face, there’s no doubting Pearson’s fingerprints were all over Leicester’s heroic surge during second half of the season.
The club opted to go with experience to maintain its place in England’s top flight when Claudio Ranieri was brought into the fold in the aftermath of Pearson’s suspicious dismissal. Despite his poor track-record of late, Ranieri will add a change of mentality and style as he aims to avoid a situation where he’s forced to win seven of his last nine games to survive like last year.
2014-15 Season
| Record (Points) | Finish | Goals For | Goals Against | Top Scorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11-8-19 (41) | 14th | 46 | 55 | Leonardo Ulloa (11) |
Trophies Won: None
Leicester City’s start to the season was worth bragging about thanks to a pair of impressive home performances when the Foxes beat Manchester United after holding Arsenal to a draw.
The performances that followed, however, were a horror show that included three months without a victory. The club accumulated just two points in 13 games after the win over United in September - before beating Hull City on Dec. 28.
Relegation and Nigel Pearson’s termination appeared a foregone conclusion.
Then, an intense desperation and determination to avoid relegation was ignited that led to an inspirational race to the finish line. The Foxes recorded massive late-season victories when the calendar finally eased up on them. Leicester solidified its safety with a final day thumping of Queens Park Ranger to finish the final month unbeaten.
Key Arrivals
- Shinji Okazaki (from FSV Mainz 05)
- Robert Huth (from Stoke City)
- Christian Fuchs (from Schalke 04)
The club's summer hasn’t been the most eye-popping among Premier League teams since the transfer window opened, but Leicester’s purchase of Shinji Okazaki presents an interesting acquisition more than capable of challenging Jamie Vardy and Leonardo Ulloa for the team lead in goals.
While his 12 Bundesliga goals from last season have the potential to translate nicely in England, the Midlands side should also benefit from the veteran presence of centre-back Robert Huth.
Key Departures
- Esteban Cambiasso (ends contract)
- Paul Gallagher (Preston North End)
- Anthony Knockaert (Standard Liege)
- Chris Woo (Leeds United)
No departure will have as big an impact on Leicester as Esteban Cambiasso’s decision to leave after just one season at the King Power Stadium.
The Argentine’s age was rarely brought into question as the 34-year-old exceeded expectations when he flashed glimpses of the player that achieved legendary status at Inter Milan. Combined with the five goals he scored, which were tied for third most on the team, Cambiasso’s 31 appearances are going to be a tough hole to fill.
However, it’s Cambiasso’s leadership and role as a mentor that will be sorely missed.
Projected Starting Lineup: (3-4-1-2)
Kasper Schmeichel; Christian Fuchs, Robert Huth, Wes Morgan; Jeff Schlupp, Riyad Mahrez, Marcin Wasilewski, Marc Albrighton; Jamie Vardy, Leonardo Ulloa
It’s always a tough ask to go with three at the back, as Claudio Ranieri appears to be in favour of, especially with the formation currently being deployed without two-thirds of its defenders from last season.
In attack, a combination of Jamie Vardy, Shinji Okazaki or Leonardo Ulloa could feature up front to form a partnership capable of producing a sufficient amount of goals.
Player To Watch: Jeff Schlupp
Jeff Schlupp is one of the most dynamic talents in the Premier League with his ability to play all over the pitch - though primarily down the left side - and reputation for blowing past defenders.
Claudio Ranieri could opt to tap into the Ghanaian international’s preference for attacking by starting the season with Schlupp on the left wing, with the goal of setting him free to wreak havoc on defenders and provide help in his own end.
Keep One Eye On: Jamie Vardy
Three Questions
- Can Claudio Ranieri find success with three at the back?
- Was Leicester's second-half form last season a fluke or a reflection of the 2015-16 version to come?
- Will a result on the final day decide the Foxes' Premier League fate?
Trivial Matters
- Manager: Claudio Ranieri
- Nickname: The Foxes
- Stadium: King Power Stadium (Capacity: 32,262)