EPL Index
·29 May 2023
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Yahoo sportsEPL Index
·29 May 2023
A rollercoaster journey through the Premier League has been the reality for Leicester City Football Club, a reality that has captivated and heartbroken fans in equal measures. We’ll delve into the latest turn of events – their recent relegation – as discussed by football legends Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Ian Wright on BBC’s MOTD.
“No one ever expects a team of Leicester City’s quality to face relegation,” began former England striker and Leicester’s own son, Gary Lineker, on an emotionally charged MOTD episode. Reflecting on the journey of the club, he pinpointed the key challenges they faced this season.
“First and foremost, they didn’t replace the goalkeeper Schmeichel. That was the first problem,” he stated, stressing the void left by one of the club’s stalwarts. Schmeichel’s absence became a catalyst for instability that played a significant role in Leicester City’s Premier League journey taking a downward spiral.
But that’s not all. The MOTD panel further shed light on Leicester’s predicament, revealing another critical issue – the contract situation.
“So many players out with contract… it’s not a healthy situation,” Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top goal scorer, chimed in. In football, the stability of a squad is paramount, and Leicester City’s contractual crisis seemed to rock the boat at the wrong time.
“I’m not saying that a lot of them don’t care, but I just don’t think it’s a healthy situation,” Lineker echoed Shearer’s concerns, pointing out a possible lack of motivation and commitment amongst the players.
In the midst of this tumultuous season for Leicester City, one shining light has been the performance of their key player, Maddison. Despite the team’s struggles, Maddison has displayed exceptional consistency.
“Maddison is excellent this season, remarkably consistent,” Lineker praised. In difficult times, individual brilliance can often be a beacon of hope. For Leicester City, Maddison is the embodiment of that sentiment.
The MOTD panel also touched upon another controversial issue – the handling of Leicester City’s coaching situation. Ian Wright, former Arsenal and England striker, gave a thoughtful insight into the dismissal of Brendan Rogers.
“I felt personally that Brendan Rogers had done a good enough job to at least earn the right to try and keep Leicester up,” Wright said. He compared the situation to other clubs like Bournemouth and West Ham, who stood by their managers and reaped the rewards.
Despite the gloom of relegation, Lineker, a Leicester fan himself, reminded everyone of the extraordinary journey of Leicester City. The club that had won the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Community Shield in the last decade, had etched their name in football history.
“Leicester winning the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Community Shield… if you’d have told me that eight, ten years ago, I’d have taken that. It would have been a miracle,” Lineker reflected with a nostalgic smile. His sentiment is a poignant reminder – Leicester City’s legacy transcends beyond their Premier League status.
This relegation might be a setback, but with the right moves and renewed motivation, Leicester City is well-positioned to make a strong comeback in the Premier League. Only time will tell how the Foxes handle this challenge.