So it has actually happened.
From staving off relegation in incredible fashion last season and surviving a summer of turmoil, Leicester City have not only bettered that feat but smashed it out of the park. The preseason 5000/1 title chance has only gone and done just that, besting each and every cashed up juggernaut that stood before it, unthinkably becoming only the sixth club in the modern Premier League era to seal the premiership.
Leicester could not do it on their own terms at Old Trafford on Sunday, but the Foxes’ point meant Spurs had to beat Chelsea to stay afloat in the title race, something they could not do. With the title now in the bag, we can reflect on the many unbelievable sub-plots that helped shape the Leicester City fairytale no one dared predict when the season began, an underdog story we may never witness again in our lifetimes.
Why not start with the man who orchestrated it all? It was not all that long ago, just over a year, when Claudio Ranieri was fired as head coach of the Greek national team after a disastrous Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, culminating in a 1-0 loss to football minnows the Faroe Islands and missing out on the tournament.
As a manager, Ranieri’s 28-year career had been fruitless. Spells with Chelsea and Inter Milan among others ended without trophies, often in total disaster. Indeed before his tenure with the Foxes had even begun, pundits and the football press alike had earmarked his team for relegation. But what ensued could hardly have been any different. In his time at the Midlands club, Ranieri has become one of the most loveable characters in football, a man whose grin has become infectious. He has produced so many memorable quotes this season it is tough to know where to begin.
But hey, they won the league, they are in Champions League. Why focus on all those lines? Dilly ding, dilly dong!
Then comes the Italian’s skipper, Wes Morgan. Him? Jamaican international? A Premier League-winning skipper? Who woulda thunk it? Four years ago, he was with Notts Forest, now he will lift the trophy against Everton on Saturday with their fierce rivals.
Perhaps it was fitting that it was his goal at Old Trafford on Sunday was the one that secured that all important draw, that all important point, that heaped all the pressure back on Tottenham.
Well played, @Wes5L1nk. Today, there is #OnlyOneCaptainMorgan ! pic.twitter.com/LxMFUOh2Nf
— Captain Morgan (@CaptainMorganEU) May 2, 2016
His defensive partner Robert Huth was no less impressive throughout the season. Released by Stoke not all that long ago, the German and his impressive jawline were fundamental in steadying Leicester’s ship under pressure, which incredibly, was much of the time, with old-school no-nonsense defending. Leicester did plenty of work minus the football.
Now he is preparing for a crack at the Champions League, where his rabonas will be firmly under the spotlight.
Yes! Champions League guaranteed! Better start practicing my Rabonas
— robert huth (@robert_huth) April 10, 2016
Those two were backed by the sure gloves of Kasper Schmeichel. We all know about his famous goalkeeping dad, but even the Schmeichel family would not have expected Kasper to clinch a title – at least not with Leicester. Amazingly, the all important point that proved to be the sealer came at his father’s old stomping ground. The entire Leicester story is a script you could not write, but this particularly story… you simply could not have ever written this one.
It is quite incredible to think that between Peter’s time and the present day, Kasper was born and has won more league titles than both Arsenal and Liverpool. Sorry, Gooners and Kopites.
Through midfield, there is no shortage of success stories. Where do we begin? We’ll start with Riyad Mahrez, a simply phenomenal story. When juxtaposed with modern-day, title-winning Premier League transfer fees, the Algerian was signed for peanuts, a mere £300,000 – by a team he had never even heard of. Mahrez believed Leicester City Football Club was a Rugby Club. Boy, do we know what they are now.
A mainstay at right-midfield that constantly found himself cutting inside, Mahrez was a key driving force in Leiecster’s success, netting 17 goals and providing 11 assists. His phenomenal season was recognised by his peers, named the PFA’s Players’ Player of the Year.
Another recycled from the scrap heap of yesteryear, Danny Drinkwater could hardly have envisaged he would win a league title after being released by Manchester United in 2012. His signing by Leicester saw Drinkwater faced with a challenge to earn his stripes back in the Premier League, back in the Championship with the Foxes.
They were promoted, and 159 matches later, he has won the league with Leicester. And, like Schmeichel, the sealing point came at Old Trafford, against some of his former team mates. Despite being handed an early shower in that match, Drinkwater will be ecstatic deep down, probably drinking beer rather than water as we speak.
Then, of course, comes probably the signing of the season – the best player of the season, according to some. They say 75% of the earth’s surface is covered by water. The other 25%? It is covered by N’Golo Kante.
One of Ranieri’s personal picks, Kante was plucked from French side Caen before the season began. Since, he has taken English and world football by storm, earning himself the nickname ‘Kantelele’ in reference to French great Claude Makalele. The 25-year-old mimics Makelele’s on-field role, covering each and every blade of grass week in, week out, basically affording Leicester the luxury of an extra man.
His first ever senior club, US Boulogne, has even named a stand after Kante to recognise his stunning achievements.
Something of a quiet achiever in the midfield four, it is worth noting Marc Albrighton‘s journey. He was let go by boyhood club Aston Villa in 2014, and, well, the change in fortunes of both parties since is palpable. Albrighton was forced to overcome personal tragedy in 2015, when his mother-in-law was killed in the Tunisian terror attacks.
On a brighter note, we can only hope those reading this piece have prepared their vodka and charlie, because Jamie Vardy is having a party. Thirty-six weeks into the ultimate sporting story, most of us are familiar with Vardy’s. Six years ago? Hallifax Town. Four years ago? Fleetwood Town. 2016? Premier League Champion, scorer of 22 league goals, Football Writers’ Player of the Year, England international.
Not only did Vardy win the league, he won the internet courtesy of a parting shot at England team mate Harry Kane after Tottenham failed to keep pace in the title race. “Chat sh*t, get banged.”
— Jamie Vardy (@vardy7) May 2, 2016
Amazing too are the tales of Mark Schwarzer and Andy King. The Australia goalkeeper, at the ripe old age of 43, is a back to back Premier League champion, having won the league with Chelsea last year, Leicester this – without playing a single minute of football.
Now 27, King’s story is truly special. A Leicester City academy graduate, he has made 293 appearances for the Foxes since 2006, and is now a Premier League champion. No one could have foreseen it in an age when money spinning and greener pastures take precedent over loyalty – well, maybe Francesco Totti has something to say about that.
But aside from the Roma icon, you would have to say no one did. Yet these flying Foxes, led by their pizza-loving boss, have taken their place in football and sporting folklore and have shown everyone that the old cliches are true. Anything is possible.
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