How was the 2018/19 Premier League season for Leicester City? The Foxes finished 9th for the second season in succession, picking up 52 points from 38 league games. Better than expected, or worse? We at Leicester Talk take a look.
Pretty good season all things considered
It would’ve obviously been nice to finish seventh- that would certainly have been the aim of the Foxes when they began the season, but 9th isn’t too bad when you consider everything- the troubled start and sacking of Claude Puel, the tragedy involving Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and the departure of star man Riyad Mahrez at the beginning of the season to Man City.
Bar that wonder 2015/16 season, the 18/19 one actually represents Leicester’s highest Premier League points tally since they got promoted back to the top flight in 2014. They also finished 9th in 2017/18, but only picked up 47 points. This season, they crossed the 50 point barrier.
Who played the most for Leicester in 18/19?
Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel played all 38 of Leicester’s games. So did midfielder Wilfried Ndidi, although one of those appearances was from the bench.
The other players to rack up more than 30 starts were Ben Chilwell, James Maddison and Ricardo Pereira. Chilwell, as noted by the folks at Soccity, has had a breakthrough season of sorts, and his combination with Ricardo saw the Foxes have one of the best fullback combos in the league.
How did Jamie Vardy play?
Vardy struggled in the beginning of the season under Claude Puel but became a revitalised man under his replacement Brendan Rodgers. Scored 9 goals in 9 appearances under the former LFC and Celtic gaffer. Their top scorer for the fourth season running!
The high point of the season?
Without a doubt, the 2-1 win over Man City on Boxing Day. Pep Guardiola’s title winning side lost only four times the whole season, and one of them was against Leicester. They also ran them very close in the reverse fixture at the Etihad until a wonder goal from Vincent Kompany pulled City out of trouble.
The not so good parts?
Leicester’s record against non top-six teams was a bit poor. They were fifth in that mini-table, and defeats like the 4-1 at home against Crystal Palace would’ve hurt. The FA Cup exit at the hands of Newport County was also disappointing- one would’ve expected them to win that clash even with a second string team.
Leicester and Rodgers however seem to be building a squad for the future, and the core of this squad is still young. If they can hold on to key players like Chilwell, Maddison and Ricardo, they could make a serious push next season.