It is high time we talked about Claudio Ranieri and Leicester, now sitting on the top of the English Premier league holding a five point lead with
ADVERTISEMENTIt is high time we talked about Claudio Ranieri and Leicester, now sitting on the top of the English Premier league holding a five point lead with eight matches to go.
Two years ago they were in the Championship, or second tier. Last season they only just avoided returning there after Nigel Pearson saved them from the drop by the skin of their teeth, only to be fired.
Now with the Italian at the helm, a manager who had been written off as a spent force, a fairytale is in their grasp. All the Foxes have to do is keep their cool. Leicester will not fear any of the eight teams they have still to play; in fact they have beaten most of them already.
“It’s true, believe me”, Ranieri said on Monday night after a 1-0 win over Newcastle, “Carry on, come on man, we know it is difficult. It is difficult, we want to enjoy, we want to continue. Of course our fans are dreaming, are so proud of us, we must continue.
Now it is important to maintain our calm. We had to show our normal life, it’s important. All the cities behind us, they are pushing, but we must stay calm and enjoy.”
Former part-time player Jamie Vardy, a Pearson discovery, has blossomed into a lethal goalscorer and an England squad member, Riyad Mahrez pulls the strings in an excellent midfield, and Peter’s son Kasper Schmeichel has kept goal immaculately.
No flukes, just teamwork and good football has driven the fans delirious, and made them dare to dream…