The Impossible Dream – Leicester City
“To dream the impossible dream, to fight the unbeatable foe” – no song can quite capture Leicester City’s season quite like Frank Sinatra’s The Impossible Dream. Last night Leicester City were crowned champions of the Premier League for the first time in the clubs 132 year history. This season was a fairy tale for the Foxes – just 12 months ago Leicester pulled off one of the greatest escapes from relegation in modern times. Many pundits predicted relegation for Leicester this season how wrong could they be!
This is the biggest sporting shock many of us will ever see. I personally am thankful for this season as it is a breath of fresh air. The underdogs have claimed the biggest prize in English football. A team worth a fraction of most sides assembled by an Italian “tinkerman” who was told he would never win a league title have proven all their critics wrong. Claudio Ranieri has never engaged in mind games. He has been open and honest with the press targeting survival for most of the season only recently setting his sights on a top four finish. He admits this is a one in a lifetime achievement and it is unlikely Leicester will be able to retain their title next season.
Ranieri masterminded the Foxes rise to glory by giving his players belief. Before the season began most football fans wouldn’t know the names of Jamie Vardy,Riyad Mahrez, N’Golo Kante or Danny Drinkwater but now they are household names. The Italian gave up possession and pass accuracy to play direct football- he played to his teams strengths. No one can deny the amazing achievement that Leicester have just pulled off. Jamie Vardy eclipsed Ruud van Nistelrooy by scoring in 11 straight Premier League games while Riyad Mahrez picked up the PFA player of the year award.
Leicester bravely faced every team this season and never changed their style even in the big games against giants such as Chelsea,Arsenal and Manchester City. The players sheer desire to win shone in every game this season and is why they are champions.When asked to sum this season up in three words Ranieri replied “amazing,dream and reality”.
Leicester fans have dreamed the impossible dream and watched their team beat the unbeatable foe.
Discover more from Marking The Spot
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.