Leicester City’s Astonishing Start to the Season: A Step Towards Premier League Success
It has been a remarkable start to the season for Leicester City, surpassing the expectations of their deflated fans after their relegation from the Premier League. With 39 points on the board after just 14 games, they are already halfway to the average points required for promotion. If they had converted just two of their 21 shots on goal in their game against Hull City, they would have achieved perfection.
Leicester City has faced some tough opponents this season, including Southampton and Norwich City, both of whom were relegated with them. They also played against Swansea City, who had won four consecutive games before Leicester’s visit. Despite these challenges, no team has been able to match Leicester’s dominance until Leeds United arrived at the King Power Stadium.
Enzo Maresca’s side was put under pressure by Leeds United, experiencing a string of errors and struggling to dictate the pace of the game. It was the first time Leicester had been pressed into making mistakes while playing their possession-based football. Leeds United proved to be a formidable opponent and arguably the better side on the night.
Under Maresca’s guidance, Leicester City has undergone a remarkable transformation from a team lacking belief and inspiration. Maresca has instilled confidence, solidity, structure, and a clear game plan in the team. While he initially downplayed talk of promotion, it is clear that returning to the Premier League is part of the plan. However, Maresca understands that staying in the Premier League is the ultimate goal.
The experiences of Burnley in this season’s Premier League serve as a warning of the challenges Leicester City may face upon their return. Leeds United reminded Leicester of the relentless pressure, high tempo, and work rate they can expect in the top flight. This match provided Leicester with a taste of what they could encounter in the future.
When Maresca took charge, there was pressure to secure an immediate return to the Premier League. However, the fact that the club chose an inexperienced manager like Maresca over a seasoned veteran demonstrates the board’s faith in him. Leicester City has provided Maresca with a solid foundation to build upon, including a stable club, a sufficient budget, a talented squad, quality new signings, and a state-of-the-art training ground.
Leicester recently secured a loan from Australian bank Macquarie to reinvest in the squad during the upcoming January transfer window and next summer. Injuries have already tested the depth of Maresca’s squad, highlighting areas that may need reinforcement. The team will continue to work on playing through intense pressing and minimizing casual mistakes, learning from setbacks like the defeat against Leeds.
Maresca and Leicester City are committed to their game plan but understand the need for refinement and improvement. They have a long-term vision for the rebirth of the club, taking it back to the Premier League and ensuring its success in the top flight. Maresca’s mantra of taking one game at a time echoes that of another Italian manager at Leicester, emphasizing the importance of staying focused on the present while working towards future goals.
Leicester City’s astonishing start to the season is just the beginning of their journey. With Maresca at the helm, they have the potential to achieve great things and establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League once again.