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From a side who were struggling to get into top 10 in the table, Brendan Rodgers took over Leicester City in February 2019, and now, in under 9 months, he has taken this mid-table Leicester side into top-four contention, if not title contenders.
A brief rewind, taking us back to how Leicester City's late owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha's changed the club's fortunes. His investments into the squad were eventually fruitful in the year 2015-16, when Leicester City won the Premier League title under Claudio Ranieri, one of the best underdog stories in the history of football. On 26th of December in 2018, Vichai lost his life in a helicopter crash, and one year later on the same day in 2019, Leicester City paid tribute to their former chairman with a blistering 9-0 win over Southampton.
In that title-winning season, the Foxes were on 25 points after 12 games, while they're on 26 points this year, after the same number of games. Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, one of Mr.Vichai's children, is the current chairman of Leicester City FC. The 34-year-old would have taken plenty of tough decisions since his father passed away, and the best of it has to be the appointment of former Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers.
Known for his brilliance in offensive football, Rodgers has successfully implemented his philosophy on the squad within a short time-span, and the former Liverpool manager has developed the winning mentality in the players he works with now. They play like a big team, they're aiming for big things and they do not see themselves as a mid-table team; a mentality which sounds easy to generate but is certainly not.
With Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham struggling to perform on a consistent basis, Leicester City have shown that they have the firepower to take on the big dogs in the Premier League, and hence, let's look at the four reasons why Leicester City could surprise everyone and finish the season in the top four, entering back into Europe's most coveted competition, next season.
#4 Immense attacking prowess
The trio of Jamie Vardy, James Maddison, and Youri Tielemans have run riot against every team they have faced this season. In the 12 games played, Leicester City has scored goals in 10 of them; a total of 29 goals, 1 more than Liverpool. Their link-up play, movements inside the box, and passing in triangles is a treat to watch. Not to take away anything from their wide wingers in Ayoze Perez and Harvey Barnes, who stretch the opposition defense to create space for Vardy and Co. in between the lines.
Fun fact about Vardy, he took 24 games to score 11 goals last season. The 32-year-old has done it in just 12 games this term, which just goes to show how important Rodgers' free-flowing system has been in Vardy's incredible form this year in the league.
James Maddison is the one who has arguably stood out as much as Vardy under Brendan Rodgers, as the playmaker has taken his game to another level. He has been involved in 6 goals this season, which includes two absolute screamers against Tottenham and Arsenal as well as what could've been a decisive goal at Anfield, if not for James Milner. Buyers would be plenty for the young Englishman to come next summer, but the Foxes might have the financial strength to tie him down if they get into the Champions League next year.
In conclusion, Leicester City hasn't been overly reliant on any player for goals or assists, as every forward in the line up have contributed in some way or the other, which is the reason why this attacking unit has been consistently performing.
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#3 Robust defensive structure
The pair of Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu have stunned pretty much all Premier League fans, as no person in the world expected Leicester City to have the best defensive record in November. If there is anyone who did expect them to perform so well defensively, sir, you are a genius.
Because after selling Harry Maguire for a record-fee of £85 million (highest transfer fee for a defender in history), they were expected to have some defensive issues as Maguire was indeed a very vital player in last year's Leicester side. However, Evans and Soyuncu have been phenomenal under Rodgers, as his balanced system has helped them flourish to an extent where they clearly do not miss Harry Maguire.
To concede 8 goals in 12 games despite playing Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal is indeed an achievement to be proud of, and if they can keep playing consistently and keep their defensive shape intact, good times await for the Foxes.
#2 A young squad at Rodgers' disposal
Leicester City have an average squad age of 26.4. Although this is not a very rare instance, the fact that they have young players who are at a level of great quality is what separates them from the rest.
In front is Jamie Vardy, who is the third-oldest player in the team, followed by a midfield trio of James Maddison, Wilfried Ndidi, and Youri Tielemans, who are all under the age of 25, with two wide players in Harvey Barnes and Ayoze Perez, also under 25. The quality, maturity, composure and ability they show in and around the box is incredible and major chunk of the appreciation should go to Brendan Rodgers, for getting the best out of each one of them in such a short time-span.
The fact that Leicester City aren't playing any European competition is another benefit for the Foxes and gives them an upper hand in terms of recovering from games and injuries. And with young blood in the team, chances of severe fatigue goes down drastically as well. However, how Brendan Rodgers manages this side and keeps them on their toes for the remainder of the season will determine their success, which takes me onto the last point.
#1 Brendan Rodgers' tactical nous
An attacking formation of 4-1-4-1 is not very common in English football or in Europe, but since Rodgers took over Leicester City last year, the 46-year-old has been reluctant in switching formations despite a few poor results last season. He has stuck to his philosophy of free-flowing attacking football since day 1, and in under 9 months in-charge, Leicester City play one of the most exciting brands of football in the Premier League.
The former Liverpool manager has put his ideas into practice with great efficiency and accuracy, and the results say the same. Leicester City play like a well drilled team who know what the coach expects from them. They have shown flexibility in their approach to different games, as they can either see out a 1-0 win or can smash a team out of the park, if needed.
Wilfred Ndidi's role in this formation impresses me the most. He is deployed just in front of the back four, and has the responsibility to break counter attacks primarily, while also keeping the ball in flow when his side has possession. After 12 games, the 23-year-old has the most tackles and interceptions in the Premier League. The pressure on him is immense because of the fact that Maddison and Tielemans have more of an attacking role. Hence, Ndidi covers a lot of ground and is undoubtedly Leicester's most hardworking player.
While Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola set up their teams in a 4-3-3, Brendan Rodgers relies on a 4-1-4-1, which seems to have slightly more attacking prowess than the standard 4-3-3. With overlapping fullbacks, two wingers to provide with the necessary width, and two play-makers right behind Jamie Vardy to unleash him behind the deep block followed by a back three of Soyuncu, Ndidi and Evans to protect the goal, Rodgers has formed a team difficult to defend as well as score against.
