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The Premier League is renowned for its unpredictability, tight title-races and scrappy relegation battles but few seasons have matched the awe this term has thrown up. With just a handful of games to be played, spectators have been left rubbing their eyes in disbelief at the spectacle that’s unfolded.
While the top four looks completely reformed, things are equally as surprising at the lower end of the table. Top professionals have failed to cut it this campaign and the stage has been taken by a host of unknowns.
Furthermore, the list of managerial casualties looks close to surpassing last season’s record eight and, all in all, it really has been one of the greatest, most bizarre Premier League seasons we have ever been witness to; let’s take a look at just why this has been the case...
1. Fearsome Foxes
When Jamie Vardy bundled his 21st league goal of the season into an empty net against Sunderland on Sunday to round off a 2-0 victory for Ranieri’s men, the barely audible whispers stating that Leicester might do the inconceivable and lift the league title morphed into thundering roars.
It was a real statement of intent that maintained the Foxes’ seven-point cushion over Tottenham, meaning they need just three more wins to be crowned winners.
Equipped with a daring defensive midfielder in N’Golo Kanté, a clinical strike-force in Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy, as well as a sturdy defensive partnership of Huth and Morgan, the organisation of the side has been unprecedented. Having made the fewest first eleven changes (25) of any other Premier League outfit over the course of this season, Claudio Ranieri has solid foundations to build on.
The 64-year-old Italian has instilled confidence and courage into a group of formerly adequate players, which is now drawing attention from the European contingent. Confirmation of Champions League qualification this week will serve as the ultimate reminder to any underdog not only in football but life as a whole that money isn’t everything and the big guy doesn’t always triumphs.
2. Sleeping Giants set for the drop
For fans of both Aston Villa and Newcastle United, the fact that two of England’s most prestigious, most decorated clubs are on the brink of relegation may not serve as a reason why this campaign has been so gripping, but others would certainly disagree. Their respective declines may have started a few seasons back in fairness, but nonetheless, it acts as a fierce warning to any top-flight club that the Premier League is not to be taken lightly; fortunes can change in a click.
Rewind to the close of the 2009/10 season and the aforementioned Villains has secured a 6th place finish and, with it, Europa League football. No less than six seasons later and they are preparing for their first ever relegation from England’s top division, having seen two managerial axings since the start of the season (Tim Sherwood and Remi Garde).
Newcastle’s situation may not be as desperate as Villa’s, who are now 15 points from safety with five matches to play, but the sense of hostility towards the players from the fans will not help their chances. Managers have been in and out like running water, while the radical overhaul of the squad has only worsened circumstances, leaving the Magpies in a desolate situation.
It’s heartbreaking for both sides, but it makes for great entertainment and reminds us just how brutal England’s elite league can be.
3. Too Tough for José
Amidst Leicester lapping it up and some potentially historic relegations, it is easy to forget how much attention was focused on the Chelsea cataclysm at the start of the season. Mourinho’s Blues made the worst ever start to a title defence, winning only a quarter of their opening sixteen matches, racking up a horrific nine losses in the process.
Still it remains unknown how a side who were unstoppable last campaign could see their wheels come off so quickly and be thrown into a relegation dogfight prior to Christmas. Cracks began to unveil themselves following Mourinho’s outburst at club doctor Eva Carneiro at the start of the season and, although Guus Hiddink may have now calmed the waters, all confidence seems to have been sapped from some of the London side’s key individuals.
For the superstitious among you, it could be said that this was the earliest indication that this campaign was going to be extra special, given the ‘Special One’ himself struggled to steer Chelsea’s season back on track.
4. English Talent Flourishing
Of course, I don’t wish to jinx anything but, ahead of this summer’s European Championships in France, I’ve never felt more optimistic about England’s chances in an elite competition. Why? Because our better individuals have been given more game time this season and a select few have repaid the favour ten times over.
High-flying Tottenham have been spearheaded by this season’s top scorer at present Harry Kane (22 goals) and his midfield counterpart Dele Alli, who, at just 20-years-old looks like one of Europe’s hottest talents, let alone England.
With Danny Rose and Marcus Rashford among others who have seen steady improvements this term, the older members of the Three Lions have also transformed their fortunes. James Milner has anchored down the Liverpool midfield, making 9 assists this campaign, Troy Deeney has scored 9 and assisted on 6 occasions, while Jamie Vardy’s success is all too well known.
It’s both a promising and refreshing reality to our national game to see the DNA of the team changing for the better.
5. Big-Clubs-Balls-Up
It really has been a case of ‘anything you can do, I can do worse’ with regard to the ‘big’ clubs this Premier League season. Manchester United’s sluggish slip-ups nearly matched Chelsea’s poor start.
Louis Van Gaal’s side have been incredibly goal-shy from the start, while Wayne Rooney’s injury has opened the door to young Marcus Rashford who, although impressive and promising, when starting for United outlines how weak their pool of players has become.
Then there’s Manchester City and Arsenal; both well in the title race at the turn of the year, but both fluffed their lines when it counted. A shambles in the Manchester derby, City’s defensive frailties continue to cost them while it’s been a similar case for Arsenal who, although comfortably placed on third position at present, have lacked a leader yet again and are home to some seriously damaging psychological vulnerabilities.
The latter two may still be lingering in the Champions League spots but, with Leicester and Tottenham occupying the top two spots in the EPL at the moment, it is evident the ‘traditional’ top four has been well and truly flushed away.
Once again, the Premier League has proven to be incredibly unpredictable, hence why we still deem it the most exciting league on the planet.
