The 2011 Champions League final between Barcelona and Manchester United this Saturday has the makings of something truly spectacular. Arguably the two best clubs in the world, this rematch of the 2009 Champions League final (which saw the Catalan giants win 2-0) will be the pinnacle of the season for both sides – and a career-defining moment for most of the players involved. It will also demonstrate how prestigious the Champions League is, and exhibit to Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal what they can look forward to next season.
Tottenham Hotspur have had what can be considered a successful season. They finished fifth in the Premier League as well as reaching the quarter-final stages of the Champions League. However, they will not feature in the competition next season. As a matter of fact, next season there will be six Premier League teams – Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool - all with the same ambition; to make it back into the Champions League. But of course, six into four does not go.
So with the emergence of other Premier League teams vying for the competition after several years of the top four more or less deciding itself, what does each side have to do to give themselves the best opportunity to reach the Champions League in 2012?
Manchester United
Now statistically the most successful English club of all time after picking up their nineteenth Premier League title last weekend (albeit with the lowest winning points total since 1999) Alex Ferguson has proven that with himself at the helm of this club, Manchester United will always be a huge threat in both domestic and European football.
However, with influential veterans such as Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs coming towards the end of their careers, Ferguson must ensure that his new, developing breed of Red Devils possess the same hunger and desire as former Manchester United greats did. He has the ability to get the best out of young, upcoming players and has been able to do this throughout his managerial career. A good example of this is Javier Hernández who has been a revelation in his debut season and scored twenty goals in all competitions.
Manchester United have not finished outside the top three since the Premier League began; a trend which they will hope to continue into next season. It is hard to imagine them not qualifying for the Champions League in 2012. If they win the final on Saturday, they become not only the team to beat in England, but in the world.
Manchester City
The noisy neighbours at Eastlands can be proud of a successful season following a third placed finish in the Premier League as well as winning the FA Cup against Stoke City. Roberto Mancini has now set the precedent by guiding his team into the Champions League and this will surely now be expected for the foreseeable future.
Manchester City are a team on the up and have quality in depth in most areas of their squad. They are also the richest football club in the world, and it could be argued that they were able to finish third because they did not have the distraction of the Champions League themselves this season. In spite of this, what Mancini has achieved should not be undervalued. The Italian has overcome huge media pressure at times this season when results have not gone favourably. He has lost key players for extended periods of time this season. He has ridden the waves of inconsistency offered by some Manchester City performance. But in spite of that, he has done what was required of him this season; finish in the top four in the Premier League.
However, the seemingly impending departure of Carlos Tevez will be a huge loss. Edin Dzeko has struggled to find the net this season and although Mario Balotelli has shown glimmers of brilliance, Mancini will need to find a quick replacement for the Tevez should he leave the club. Another problem will be keeping individual players happy; an abundance of finance is one thing, but will Mancini be able to guarantee all his star players, as well as potential summer signings, the desired amount of game time?
Manchester City reaching the top four next season seems quite likely, although the job Roberto Mancini has on his hands should by no means be underestimated.
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham Hotspur were unable to qualify for next season’s Champions League following a fifth placed finish in the Premier League. It is a shame because Spurs played some of their finest football of the season in the Champions League against Inter Milan, AC Milan and Young Boys before eventually being comprehensively beaten by Real Madrid.
Harry Redknapp faces a huge challenge to reach the Champions League next season and has without a doubt the biggest challenge ahead of him among the other five teams mentioned here. Firstly, Spurs qualified for the Europa League but it may act as more of a burden if they aim to achieve highly in said tournament – whilst hoping for a top four finish in the Premier League - simply due to the demanding amount of extra games involved.
Secondly, Tottenham will not only have to try to keep hold of their best players this summer but also look to bolster certain areas of depth by attracting at least four or five top quality players to the club. With Spurs not being in the Champions League next season, this may be easier said than done. Players like Luka Modric and Rafael Van Der Vaart will be difficult to keep at White Hart Lane after both enjoyed fantastic seasons with the club. Redknapp will also be keen to bring in a prolific goal scorer after Spurs managed just 55 goals this season – the lowest of any team in the top six.
Whilst it was no fluke that Spurs did finish fourth in 2010, they certainly face an uphill struggle to achieve such heights next season. Out of these six sides, on paper, they are the least likely to manage to do so.
Chelsea
Chelsea were at one stage in a fantastic position to overtake Manchester United after a fantastic run which saw them within three points of their rivals, but ended up winning no silverware this season. Despite finishing second in the Premier League, it was not enough for manager Carlo Ancelotti to keep his job at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea seem to be at a fork in the road. One the one hand, it appears that perhaps all Chelsea need is the right manager to get them back on track in terms of the race for the title. On the other, they could be heading towards a transition phase. Key players like Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka are all at least 32 years old and getting to the end of, or are past, their prime. Also, Fernando Torres has struggled since arriving at the club, and his future could be in doubt as he is a player who tends to individually thrive under certain managers, as can be seen from his time at Liverpool.
There is still a high level of player quality at Chelsea and it may just be that the right man in charge is needed – former manager Guus Hiddink has been linked with the role although this may just be mere speculation and the media filling in the blanks.
It is difficult to predict whether Chelsea will do better or worse next season than they did this year, but they should make the top four in the Premier League next season so long as they continue to get the best out of their current key players.
Liverpool
The turnaround at this club since the arrival of Kenny Dalglish has been astonishing. Liverpool were floundering in twelfth place in the Premier League when the Scotsman arrived in January after Roy Hodgson’s unsuccessful stint in charge. The Merseyside club soon went on a terrific run picking up 33 points in eighteen games towards the end of the season, at one stage giving themselves a viable shot at fifth place. The owners made the right choice in making Dalglish their permanent manager.
With Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez signing for the club at the start of the year, Liverpool seem to be heading the right direction with the right kind of players. On paper, this has been an unsuccessful season for Liverpool – but fans will be feeling optimistic about their club’s next campaign.
Liverpool are in a good position to get back into the Champions League in 2012 because they are back to winning ways under a manager who, like Ferguson, knows how to get the best out of his players. They should be looking at finishing fifth at an absolute minimum next year.
Arsenal
It really is a wonder how Arsenal ended up winning no silverware this year. They were in the running for four different competitions at the end of February, but a late defeat to Birmingham in the Carling Cup saw their season spiral out of control. They were eliminated from the Champions League by Barcelona before losing in the FA Cup final to Arsenal in the space of a week, before slipping down the league table and finishing fourth – meaning that they now must qualify to even get into the group stages of the Champions League this season.
The problem this season with Arsenal is twofold. Firstly, they are at risk of losing key players as a result of failing to win a trophy for the fifth consecutive year. Cesc Fabregas is constantly linked with a move to Barcelona, and offers are likely to come in for Robin Van Persie after a superb season for the Gunners. Secondly, several of their big name players are too inconsistent. Andrei Arshavin, Marouane Chamakh and Nicklas Bendtner simply have not been good enough this season when called upon.
While Arsenal have a tendency to struggle in big games against the top sides, they also tend to go on runs in the Premier League when they are absolutely unstoppable. But they are heavily reliant on a couple of key players as mentioned above, and with their next domestic campaign likely to contain more “big games” than ever before, they will need several individuals to perform better than they did last season – or invest in new talent. Will that be enough to maintain a top four spot in the Premier League – and if not, what happens to Arsene Wenger after that?
Based on how the teams currently stand, here is my forecast for next season:
1. Manchester United
2. Manchester City
3. Liverpool
4. Chelsea
----------------------------------
5. Arsenal
6. Tottenham Hotspur
Of course, this is all based on how teams are looking now – and next season is a whole summer away, during which time all six of these clubs will be looking to make changes to give themselves in the best opportunity to achieve as much success as is possible.
Feel free to comment whether you agree or disagree.
Thursday 26 May 2011
Thursday 19 May 2011
Should They Stay or Should They Go? (Part 3)
The final part of this article focuses on players who have spent some – or all – of the 2010/2011 Championship season on loan at another club and whether or not they are likely to fit into Sven-Goran Eriksson’s plans next season.
Conrad Logan
Age: 25
11 appearances at Bristol Rovers this season
Verdict
Although Conrad Logan has been at Leicester City since 2004, he has spent the majority of his career away from the Walkers Stadium on loan at other clubs. The Irish goalkeeper played just seven times for Leicester this season before losing his place in the team and joining Bristol Rovers on loan in February until the end of the campaign.
Logan is unlikely to regain the number one spot with both Chris Weale and Ricardo still at the club – but they may well depart in the summer based on the fact that Ricardo was a short-term signing and Weale has not enjoyed the greatest form towards the end of the season. However, Sven could sign a high profile goalkeeper over the summer which would limit Logan’s opportunities and thus seek first team football instead.
Stay or Go?
Go. Logan is unlikely to feature in Sven’s plans next season and deserves to play regularly.
Jack Hobbs
Age: 22
13 appearances at Hull City this season
Verdict
Jack Hobbs is one of the few remaining Leicester City players from the Nigel Pearson era. After a successful season-long loan from Liverpool in 2008, Hobbs signed a four-year contract with Leicester and established himself not only as a fan favourite, but also as a fantastic developing centre-back and part of a solid defensive unit. But Eriksson’s arrival left the former England U19 international out of favour and he subsequently joined Hull City on loan.
Jack Hobbs is a talented player who will very probably spend the majority of his career in the Premier League. If Sven opts against signing Miguel Vitor, Ben Mee or Jeffrey Bruma, Leicester are left with very few centre backs following the departure of Michael Morrison last year. As an established Championship defender, Hobbs is a talent too good to go to waste. Other clubs will be interested in him over the summer, but he could be the one to steady Leicester’s defensive ship.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Hobbs is a rock at the back when at his best – as Leicester fans will tell you.
Franck Moussa
Age: 21
12 appearances and 2 goals for Doncaster Rovers this season
Verdict
Franck Moussa only signed for Leicester City in August 2010 but never really established himself as a starter since that time. After finding his playing time limited, Moussa joined Doncaster Rovers on loan in February this year – scoring twice in a dozen appearances.
This is an interesting situation because Moussa’s contract was extended this season, which indicates that Sven does see potential in the youngster. Also, Leicester are relatively thin on central midfield players, and the Belgian adds depth to that position in a 4-3-3 formation. He may struggle to break into the starting line up, but Moussa is a very useful player to have in the squad.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Doncaster may show interest over the summer but Sven should keep him at the club.
Dany N’Guessan
Age: 23
3 appearances and 1 goal for Scunthorpe United/6 appearances for Southampton this season
Verdict
Another survivor from the Nigel Pearson era, N’Guessan established himself as a firm fan favourite when he came off the bench during his first game for the Foxes to score the winning goal in a 2-1 victory in a season opener against Swansea City. Throughout the remainder of that season, his performances were inconsistent; dominant at times, yet lethargic at others. He struggled to establish himself under Sven-Goran Eriksson and joined Scunthorpe on loan in November 2010 – before joining Southampton for the remainder of the season in January.
Although he has a year left on his contract, the Frenchman would find it difficult to perform to a consistently high level so as to break into the starting line up ahead of the likes of Paul Gallagher and Darius Vassell. He is a good Championship footballer, but likely to leave in the summer.
Stay or Go?
Go. N’Guessan should establish himself at another club where he has the opportunity to prove himself.
Robbie Neilson
Age: 30
15 appearances for Brentford this season
Verdict
Robbie Neilson joined the Foxes in 2009 after a thirteen year stint at Scottish club Hearts, but struggled to maintain his starting place at right back – with Nigel Pearson preferring Michael Morrison at that position. Despite scoring his first senior goal in over five years in a 4-3 cup win over Macclesfield Town, Neilson remained out of favour this season and joined Brentford in February where he played regularly.
Sven-Goran Eriksson looks set to sign a right-back over the summer – be it Kyle Naughton or somebody else. It seems that Neilson would not be able to establish himself as Sven’s first choice next season.
Stay or Go?
Go. He is not the right fit for Sven’s style of football.
Jeffrey Schlupp
Age: 18
9 appearances and 6 goals for Brentford this season
Verdict
This is a really interesting situation. Although a product of the Leicester youth academy, Schlupp has never played a senior game for the Foxes. After joining Brentford on loan in March 2011 and scoring six goals in nine games, heads at the Walkers Stadium started to turn.
Some may be building Schlupp up too quickly by saying that he could be our number one striker next season. But his loan spell proved that he is a rare mix of power, speed and great finishing. He is contracted to the club until 2013 and Sven may see something in the youngster which might allow him the opportunity to prove himself at this level. His development will be really interesting.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Amidst all the transfer talk of Premier League strikers coming to the Walkers Stadium next season, Schlupp is a breath of fresh air and certainly one to watch.
Tom Kennedy
Age: 25
6 appearances at Rochdale/14 appearances at Peterborough United this season
Verdict
You really have to feel for Tom Kennedy. He could not have joined Leicester City at any worse a time. He joined the Foxes last summer while Nigel Pearson was still in charge, but Pearson parted with the club shortly afterwards which left Kennedy’s career in limbo. He played just one game for Leicester before joining his former club Rochdale in November on loan – and then Peterborough United in January for the remainder of the season.
Peterborough are thought to have expressed interest in making Tom Kennedy a permanent signing and as Sven is likely to sign a new left-back in the summer, Kennedy looks set to leave Leicester in the transfer window.
Stay or Go?
Go. Kennedy should find regular first-team football at another club.
Conrad Logan
Age: 25
11 appearances at Bristol Rovers this season
Verdict
Although Conrad Logan has been at Leicester City since 2004, he has spent the majority of his career away from the Walkers Stadium on loan at other clubs. The Irish goalkeeper played just seven times for Leicester this season before losing his place in the team and joining Bristol Rovers on loan in February until the end of the campaign.
Logan is unlikely to regain the number one spot with both Chris Weale and Ricardo still at the club – but they may well depart in the summer based on the fact that Ricardo was a short-term signing and Weale has not enjoyed the greatest form towards the end of the season. However, Sven could sign a high profile goalkeeper over the summer which would limit Logan’s opportunities and thus seek first team football instead.
Stay or Go?
Go. Logan is unlikely to feature in Sven’s plans next season and deserves to play regularly.
Jack Hobbs
Age: 22
13 appearances at Hull City this season
Verdict
Jack Hobbs is one of the few remaining Leicester City players from the Nigel Pearson era. After a successful season-long loan from Liverpool in 2008, Hobbs signed a four-year contract with Leicester and established himself not only as a fan favourite, but also as a fantastic developing centre-back and part of a solid defensive unit. But Eriksson’s arrival left the former England U19 international out of favour and he subsequently joined Hull City on loan.
Jack Hobbs is a talented player who will very probably spend the majority of his career in the Premier League. If Sven opts against signing Miguel Vitor, Ben Mee or Jeffrey Bruma, Leicester are left with very few centre backs following the departure of Michael Morrison last year. As an established Championship defender, Hobbs is a talent too good to go to waste. Other clubs will be interested in him over the summer, but he could be the one to steady Leicester’s defensive ship.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Hobbs is a rock at the back when at his best – as Leicester fans will tell you.
Franck Moussa
Age: 21
12 appearances and 2 goals for Doncaster Rovers this season
Verdict
Franck Moussa only signed for Leicester City in August 2010 but never really established himself as a starter since that time. After finding his playing time limited, Moussa joined Doncaster Rovers on loan in February this year – scoring twice in a dozen appearances.
This is an interesting situation because Moussa’s contract was extended this season, which indicates that Sven does see potential in the youngster. Also, Leicester are relatively thin on central midfield players, and the Belgian adds depth to that position in a 4-3-3 formation. He may struggle to break into the starting line up, but Moussa is a very useful player to have in the squad.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Doncaster may show interest over the summer but Sven should keep him at the club.
Dany N’Guessan
Age: 23
3 appearances and 1 goal for Scunthorpe United/6 appearances for Southampton this season
Verdict
Another survivor from the Nigel Pearson era, N’Guessan established himself as a firm fan favourite when he came off the bench during his first game for the Foxes to score the winning goal in a 2-1 victory in a season opener against Swansea City. Throughout the remainder of that season, his performances were inconsistent; dominant at times, yet lethargic at others. He struggled to establish himself under Sven-Goran Eriksson and joined Scunthorpe on loan in November 2010 – before joining Southampton for the remainder of the season in January.
Although he has a year left on his contract, the Frenchman would find it difficult to perform to a consistently high level so as to break into the starting line up ahead of the likes of Paul Gallagher and Darius Vassell. He is a good Championship footballer, but likely to leave in the summer.
Stay or Go?
Go. N’Guessan should establish himself at another club where he has the opportunity to prove himself.
Robbie Neilson
Age: 30
15 appearances for Brentford this season
Verdict
Robbie Neilson joined the Foxes in 2009 after a thirteen year stint at Scottish club Hearts, but struggled to maintain his starting place at right back – with Nigel Pearson preferring Michael Morrison at that position. Despite scoring his first senior goal in over five years in a 4-3 cup win over Macclesfield Town, Neilson remained out of favour this season and joined Brentford in February where he played regularly.
Sven-Goran Eriksson looks set to sign a right-back over the summer – be it Kyle Naughton or somebody else. It seems that Neilson would not be able to establish himself as Sven’s first choice next season.
Stay or Go?
Go. He is not the right fit for Sven’s style of football.
Jeffrey Schlupp
Age: 18
9 appearances and 6 goals for Brentford this season
Verdict
This is a really interesting situation. Although a product of the Leicester youth academy, Schlupp has never played a senior game for the Foxes. After joining Brentford on loan in March 2011 and scoring six goals in nine games, heads at the Walkers Stadium started to turn.
Some may be building Schlupp up too quickly by saying that he could be our number one striker next season. But his loan spell proved that he is a rare mix of power, speed and great finishing. He is contracted to the club until 2013 and Sven may see something in the youngster which might allow him the opportunity to prove himself at this level. His development will be really interesting.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Amidst all the transfer talk of Premier League strikers coming to the Walkers Stadium next season, Schlupp is a breath of fresh air and certainly one to watch.
Tom Kennedy
Age: 25
6 appearances at Rochdale/14 appearances at Peterborough United this season
Verdict
You really have to feel for Tom Kennedy. He could not have joined Leicester City at any worse a time. He joined the Foxes last summer while Nigel Pearson was still in charge, but Pearson parted with the club shortly afterwards which left Kennedy’s career in limbo. He played just one game for Leicester before joining his former club Rochdale in November on loan – and then Peterborough United in January for the remainder of the season.
Peterborough are thought to have expressed interest in making Tom Kennedy a permanent signing and as Sven is likely to sign a new left-back in the summer, Kennedy looks set to leave Leicester in the transfer window.
Stay or Go?
Go. Kennedy should find regular first-team football at another club.
Wednesday 11 May 2011
Should They Stay or Should They Go? (Part 2)
The second part of this article focuses on Leicester players who have been at the club this season, but who are also out of favour or, for whatever reason, are facing an uncertain future at the Walkers Stadium. The list could be longer than fans may have expected.
Chris Weale
Age: 29
31 caps this season
Verdict
Chris Weale enjoyed a fantastic season in goal under Nigel Pearson during the 2009/10 season. However, since the arrival of Sven-Goran Eriksson, he has not been a consistent starter and was dropped to the bench in January and replaced with former Portuguese international Ricardo. Weale has since reclaimed the number one spot but his performances have been inconsistent - possibly due to a lack of confidence - and he has made a number of glaring, uncharacteristic errors.
Sven looks set to splash out on a goalkeeper in the summer; the Foxes were strongly linked with Manchester City’s Shay Given during the January transfer window. This was a statement of intent and although not out of contract, it is likely that Weale would be no more than a backup next season.
Stay or Go?
Go. Weale is good enough to start for another team and should be allowed to do so.
Ricardo
Age: 35
8 caps this season
Verdict
Much to the dismay of a large proportion of Foxes fans, Ricardo replaced Chris Weale in the Leicester City goal back in January. Without falling into the age old debate of who actually performed better during the final stretch of last season, Ricardo’s performances often left little to be desired and did not install a great deal of confidence.
Like with Weale, with it being highly likely that a Premier League goalkeeper will be signed over the summer, it is hard to imagine Ricardo being at the Walkers Stadium in August – especially as he was signed as a free agent and only until the end of this season.
Stay or Go?
Go. Despite seeming to be Sven’s preferred choice at times, he will look to permanently sign a goalkeeper.
Michael Lamey
Age: 31
4 caps this season
Verdict
Lamey joined the Foxes at the beginning of August after impressing Paolo Sousa during a two-week trial. Even after that, he played sparingly in the Championship and after Sousa’s departure, Lamey struggled to even make the substitutes bench.
With age not on his side as a full-back, he is highly unlikely to feature in the Foxes promotion hunt next season.
Stay or Go?
Go. Sven’s overhaul of his defensive line means that Lamey will probably leave the club over the summer.
Joao Teixeira (Moreno)
Age: 29
3 caps this season
Verdict
Moreno is another Paolo Sousa signing who failed to break into the first team even when Sousa was in charge. Although he made the substitutes bench during the latter part of this season, this was primarily due to a shortage of replacement centre backs, with Sol Bamba and Ben Mee both picking up injuries. The final nail in the coffin was during the final game of last season when Eriksson opted to replace his Portuguese counterpart Miguel Vitor (through injury) with Alexsandar Tunchev – who had been sidelined for eighteen months – rather than Moreno.
Although a versatile player, it seems quite likely that Moreno will not feature next season either.
Stay or Go?
Go. Moreno has only ever made the substitutes bench since Sven’s arrival and will struggle to break into the starting line up.
Steve Howard
Age: 35
16 caps, 5 goals this season
Verdict
Steve Howard was a regular in the squad under Nigel Pearson in both League One and the Championship and forged a formidable partnership with Matty Fryatt in the process and scoring some truly memorable goals. But with the arrival of Yakubu and Darius Vassell, competition has been tough this season and Howard has found himself struggling for playing time – although still physically able to play well.
Although Sven has stated that he has no desire to sell Howard, it is rumoured that Sheffield Wednesday have expressed interest in the big man and, with him entering the autumn years of his playing career, he will struggle to break into the starting line-up at Leicester next season. A bit of a heartbreaker, but it is a likely scenario.
Stay or Go?
Go. Howard deserves to play football week in week out at a decent level, but he will struggle to replace potential signings.
Aleksandar Tunchev
Age: 29
2 caps this season (as substitute)
Verdict
Although a fan favourite during the League One campaign, Tunchev has been sidelined for eighteen months and has only played five games in the last two seasons after suffering serious knee injuries. He came on as a substitute against Ipswich Town on the last game of the season and performed well. But on paper, this one is an easy one to figure out, surely?
Well, no. Tunchev still has a burning desire to play football for Leicester City. He has worked extremely hard to bring himself back, not only to a level of fitness to be able to appear again this season, but to stop his career from being over. Although 30 in July, he is not too old for this level and he is an absolutely superb centre back. Foxes fans still love him and, although it might be a head-versus-heart decision for Sven, it could be detrimental to the development of Leicester’s younger defenders (see part one) if Tunchev was not offered at least a one year contract.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Tunchev deserves the chance to prove that he can still perform at this level.
Martyn Waghorn
Age: 21
11 caps, 4 goals this season
Verdict
Martyn Waghorn established himself as a firm fan favourite during his season-long loan from Sunderland in 2009, scoring 12 goals in 28 games – including one on his debut for the Foxes against Swansea City. Paolo Sousa signed Waghorn at the end of the summer transfer window for a massive £3 million - but since Sven’s arrival, the majority of the youngster’s playing time has been as a substitute. However, he scored some important goals this season - including his stoppage time winner against Bristol City.
The concern with Martyn Waghorn is that he struggles to hugely change the game as a substitute. Given a consistent run of games, he is likely to yield a return of goals and solid performances. But his chances will be few and far between, and is unlikely to be given the chance to replicate his debut season. A number of other clubs are rumoured to be interested in the 21-year old; it may be wise to allow him to move on and further his career.
Stay or Go?
Go. Waghorn needs the opportunity to progress as a player – something he may not get at Leicester.
Bruno Berner
Age: 33
19 caps, 1 goal this season
Verdict
Bruno Berner has become an established favourite with the fans after joining the club during the Nigel Pearson era. He played under Paolo Sousa and has played sparingly under Sven, but the arrival of Greg Cunningham followed by Patrick Van Aanholt severely limited the amount of games the Swiss international appeared in – even though the Leicester City backline conceded more goals when Berner was absent. After considering leaving the Walkers Stadium in January, he was offered a one year contract and temporarily regained his place at left back when Greg Cunningham suffered a broken leg – although he subsequently lost his place to Patrick Van Aanholt.
At 33, Berner still has a good level of energy and stamina and in terms of defending he is the best full back at the club. However, if a replacement does come in, Berner may feel the need to move on as well. Sven will have a difficult decision to make if he does decide on that.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Berner is still good enough to challenge for his position, and a youthful backline will benefit from his experience.
Lloyd Dyer
Age: 28
22 caps, 5 goals this season
Verdict
Dyer can be a very one dimensional player at times. He has blistering pace even for a winger, and therefore would fit into Leicester’s adopted style of football. On the other hand, his first touch often lets him down and can be quite erratic with his shooting. He has not featured as much since the arrival of Darius Vassell and Diomansy Kamara but can still run full backs ragged on his day.
After signing a contract which would keep him at the club until 2014, Dyer is a very useful squad player to have around. Even though he may not start a huge amount of games next season, he will do everything he can to break into the starting line up.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Another fan favourite who deserves the opportunity to fight for his spot.
The third and final part of this article will look at the Leicester City players who have been loaned out to other sides this season and whether or not they feature in Sven’s long term plans at the Walkers Stadium.
Chris Weale
Age: 29
31 caps this season
Verdict
Chris Weale enjoyed a fantastic season in goal under Nigel Pearson during the 2009/10 season. However, since the arrival of Sven-Goran Eriksson, he has not been a consistent starter and was dropped to the bench in January and replaced with former Portuguese international Ricardo. Weale has since reclaimed the number one spot but his performances have been inconsistent - possibly due to a lack of confidence - and he has made a number of glaring, uncharacteristic errors.
Sven looks set to splash out on a goalkeeper in the summer; the Foxes were strongly linked with Manchester City’s Shay Given during the January transfer window. This was a statement of intent and although not out of contract, it is likely that Weale would be no more than a backup next season.
Stay or Go?
Go. Weale is good enough to start for another team and should be allowed to do so.
Ricardo
Age: 35
8 caps this season
Verdict
Much to the dismay of a large proportion of Foxes fans, Ricardo replaced Chris Weale in the Leicester City goal back in January. Without falling into the age old debate of who actually performed better during the final stretch of last season, Ricardo’s performances often left little to be desired and did not install a great deal of confidence.
Like with Weale, with it being highly likely that a Premier League goalkeeper will be signed over the summer, it is hard to imagine Ricardo being at the Walkers Stadium in August – especially as he was signed as a free agent and only until the end of this season.
Stay or Go?
Go. Despite seeming to be Sven’s preferred choice at times, he will look to permanently sign a goalkeeper.
Michael Lamey
Age: 31
4 caps this season
Verdict
Lamey joined the Foxes at the beginning of August after impressing Paolo Sousa during a two-week trial. Even after that, he played sparingly in the Championship and after Sousa’s departure, Lamey struggled to even make the substitutes bench.
With age not on his side as a full-back, he is highly unlikely to feature in the Foxes promotion hunt next season.
Stay or Go?
Go. Sven’s overhaul of his defensive line means that Lamey will probably leave the club over the summer.
Joao Teixeira (Moreno)
Age: 29
3 caps this season
Verdict
Moreno is another Paolo Sousa signing who failed to break into the first team even when Sousa was in charge. Although he made the substitutes bench during the latter part of this season, this was primarily due to a shortage of replacement centre backs, with Sol Bamba and Ben Mee both picking up injuries. The final nail in the coffin was during the final game of last season when Eriksson opted to replace his Portuguese counterpart Miguel Vitor (through injury) with Alexsandar Tunchev – who had been sidelined for eighteen months – rather than Moreno.
Although a versatile player, it seems quite likely that Moreno will not feature next season either.
Stay or Go?
Go. Moreno has only ever made the substitutes bench since Sven’s arrival and will struggle to break into the starting line up.
Steve Howard
Age: 35
16 caps, 5 goals this season
Verdict
Steve Howard was a regular in the squad under Nigel Pearson in both League One and the Championship and forged a formidable partnership with Matty Fryatt in the process and scoring some truly memorable goals. But with the arrival of Yakubu and Darius Vassell, competition has been tough this season and Howard has found himself struggling for playing time – although still physically able to play well.
Although Sven has stated that he has no desire to sell Howard, it is rumoured that Sheffield Wednesday have expressed interest in the big man and, with him entering the autumn years of his playing career, he will struggle to break into the starting line-up at Leicester next season. A bit of a heartbreaker, but it is a likely scenario.
Stay or Go?
Go. Howard deserves to play football week in week out at a decent level, but he will struggle to replace potential signings.
Aleksandar Tunchev
Age: 29
2 caps this season (as substitute)
Verdict
Although a fan favourite during the League One campaign, Tunchev has been sidelined for eighteen months and has only played five games in the last two seasons after suffering serious knee injuries. He came on as a substitute against Ipswich Town on the last game of the season and performed well. But on paper, this one is an easy one to figure out, surely?
Well, no. Tunchev still has a burning desire to play football for Leicester City. He has worked extremely hard to bring himself back, not only to a level of fitness to be able to appear again this season, but to stop his career from being over. Although 30 in July, he is not too old for this level and he is an absolutely superb centre back. Foxes fans still love him and, although it might be a head-versus-heart decision for Sven, it could be detrimental to the development of Leicester’s younger defenders (see part one) if Tunchev was not offered at least a one year contract.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Tunchev deserves the chance to prove that he can still perform at this level.
Martyn Waghorn
Age: 21
11 caps, 4 goals this season
Verdict
Martyn Waghorn established himself as a firm fan favourite during his season-long loan from Sunderland in 2009, scoring 12 goals in 28 games – including one on his debut for the Foxes against Swansea City. Paolo Sousa signed Waghorn at the end of the summer transfer window for a massive £3 million - but since Sven’s arrival, the majority of the youngster’s playing time has been as a substitute. However, he scored some important goals this season - including his stoppage time winner against Bristol City.
The concern with Martyn Waghorn is that he struggles to hugely change the game as a substitute. Given a consistent run of games, he is likely to yield a return of goals and solid performances. But his chances will be few and far between, and is unlikely to be given the chance to replicate his debut season. A number of other clubs are rumoured to be interested in the 21-year old; it may be wise to allow him to move on and further his career.
Stay or Go?
Go. Waghorn needs the opportunity to progress as a player – something he may not get at Leicester.
Bruno Berner
Age: 33
19 caps, 1 goal this season
Verdict
Bruno Berner has become an established favourite with the fans after joining the club during the Nigel Pearson era. He played under Paolo Sousa and has played sparingly under Sven, but the arrival of Greg Cunningham followed by Patrick Van Aanholt severely limited the amount of games the Swiss international appeared in – even though the Leicester City backline conceded more goals when Berner was absent. After considering leaving the Walkers Stadium in January, he was offered a one year contract and temporarily regained his place at left back when Greg Cunningham suffered a broken leg – although he subsequently lost his place to Patrick Van Aanholt.
At 33, Berner still has a good level of energy and stamina and in terms of defending he is the best full back at the club. However, if a replacement does come in, Berner may feel the need to move on as well. Sven will have a difficult decision to make if he does decide on that.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Berner is still good enough to challenge for his position, and a youthful backline will benefit from his experience.
Lloyd Dyer
Age: 28
22 caps, 5 goals this season
Verdict
Dyer can be a very one dimensional player at times. He has blistering pace even for a winger, and therefore would fit into Leicester’s adopted style of football. On the other hand, his first touch often lets him down and can be quite erratic with his shooting. He has not featured as much since the arrival of Darius Vassell and Diomansy Kamara but can still run full backs ragged on his day.
After signing a contract which would keep him at the club until 2014, Dyer is a very useful squad player to have around. Even though he may not start a huge amount of games next season, he will do everything he can to break into the starting line up.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Another fan favourite who deserves the opportunity to fight for his spot.
The third and final part of this article will look at the Leicester City players who have been loaned out to other sides this season and whether or not they feature in Sven’s long term plans at the Walkers Stadium.
Monday 9 May 2011
Should They Stay or Should They Go? (Part 1)
The 2010/11 Championship campaign has seen Leicester use over 35 different players over the course of the season. But which players would Sven-Goran Eriksson do well to keep at the Walkers Stadium next year? Who would bring that extra something to a team with Premier League ambition? Fans may be expecting a busy summer, but will there be fresh faces all around?
This is the first part of a look at a certain set of players who Sven will be considering whether or not to bring back for next season’s promotion push – the loan players.
Kyle Naughton
Parent club: Tottenham Hotspur
Age: 22 years
33 caps, 5 goals this season
Verdict
The Tottenham loanee has enjoyed a fantastic season at Leicester City, scoring five times from the full-back position (although pushing forward with such energy in attack he appears confident enough at times to be a winger) and winning the Young Player of the Season award for the Foxes. His defending is solid and he makes very few mistakes. He extended his initial loan spell from January until the end of the season, which is an indication of him being happy at Leicester. Most fans would be delighted to see Naughton back at the club next season and, as Spurs have strength in depth in the right back position, there is a real possibility.
However, the pull of the Premier League may be too tempting for such a young talent. Recently promoted Queens Park Rangers are rumoured to be interested, while a recent call up to the provisional England U21 squad will have a number of other managers turning their heads. Eriksson is likely to put in a bid for Naughton during the summer, but he could be heading to the top flight.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Sven-Goran Eriksson should certainly be considering bringing Naughton in on a permanent deal.
Ben Mee
Parent club: Manchester City
Age: 21 years
10 caps this season
Verdict
The Manchester City youngster had a terrible start to his loan spell at the Walkers Stadium. In his first game, he gave away two penalties (one after less than a minute) and on another day may have been issued a red card. Since then, Mee has worked tirelessly to prove his critics wrong and done so with real gusto. You will never see him duck out of a challenge and is great in the air for a comparatively short centre-half.
Aged 21, he has a good future ahead of him. But with the financial situation as strong as it is at Manchester City and their ability to attract world class players (this ability will only grow with Champions League football being on the cards next season), his future may well be away from Eastlands. Leicester are thin on central defenders (especially with Alexsandar Tunchev’s future at the club uncertain) and Ben Mee is a raw talent who can adapt to play left-back if required.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Mee could quite easily develop into a starting centre back at Leicester. Sven may consider a season long loan for the Sale born defender which would allow him to develop.
Miguel Vitor
Parent club: Benfica
Age: 21
15 caps, 3 goals this season
Verdict
Although Vitor was one of Paulo Sousa’s signings, the Portuguese defender played sparingly in the opening stages of the season. After scoring his first goal for the club in 2010 against Barnsley, Vitor’s season was marred by a hamstring injury that saw him sidelined for months. Since returning, he has been used in rotation and generally impressed as a solid centre-half.
It seems strange that Sven announced that he was interested in signing Vitor as he dropped the 21 year old one game after he scored a brace. It is difficult to understand how highly he is rated because of this. But, as mentioned earlier, Leicester are thin on centre-backs and Vitor would fit into the Foxes’ style of football nicely. He is always a threat from set pieces too; his three goals have come from either free kicks or corners.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Sven should consider making Vitor a permanent Leicester player this summer – if his current injury is not too serious.
Patrick Van Aanholt
Parent club: Chelsea
Age: 20
11 caps, 1 goal this season
Verdict
Van Aanholt has had an inconsistent loan spell due to injury – he missed six weeks with a torn thigh muscle in February. Since joining Chelsea in 2009, he has played only twice for them and has undergone loan spells at Coventry, Newcastle and now Leicester. Dubbed as ‘the next Ashley Cole’, the Dutchman is a real talent pushing forward although at times his defending has left little to be desired.
Van Aanholt has certainly improved on that side of the ball and his attacking play is a genuine threat to other sides. But Sven has been critical of his defence this season for letting in too many goals, and whether he has done enough to impress Eriksson to bring him back next season is unclear. Chelsea will probably make the decision for him anyway, and there is little chance of a permanent move in that respect.
Stay or Go?
Go. Van Aanholt would get games regularly at Leicester if he were brought back on loan next season, but Sven may look for a more experienced head at left-back.
Diomansy Kamara
Parent Club: Fulham
Age: 30
7 caps, 2 goals this season
Verdict
After moving to Craven Cottage in 2007, the Senegalese striker has played just 59 games for Fulham and found himself out of favour this season, falling down the pecking order dramatically. However, his three seasons at West Bromwich Albion make it clear that he is an experienced player at this level but does still have Premier League ability – which has been demonstrated in his brief spell at the Walkers Stadium.
Kamara can tear sides apart when he has a good day. Has a slight tendency to go missing when he has a bad day. But he has indicated that he wishes to return next season, and his performance in the end of season clash with Ipswich Town was indicative of that. He has blistering pace despite being the wrong side of 30 and oozes confidence with his close control. He would be a fantastic addition to the squad and have the burning desire to make it to the Premier League with a new club.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Sven should be looking at making Kamara a permanent signing.
Yakubu
Parent club: Everton
Age: 28
20 caps, 11 goals this season
This is the interesting one of the bunch. Yakubu has spent a lot of time in the Premier League and his goal scoring record in that division has always been impressive. Since joining the Foxes in January this year, the Yak has scored 11 goals in 20 games. Most fans would be pleased with that, but many are frustrated with his reluctance to chase down every lost cause. That simply is not the type of player he is.
Yakubu believes his future does not lie at Goodison Park, and has stated that he would cherish a permanent move to Leicester. David Moyes is rumoured to want to cut his losses with the Nigerian so that Everton can restructure their wage bill for next season. Money is likely not to come into the equation at Leicester, and Yakubu could well be the 25 goal-a-season striker Leicester have yearned for during the last two seasons.
Stay or Go?
Stay. It is possible that Yakubu could be one of Leicester’s big summer deals.
Jeffrey Bruma
Parent club: Chelsea
Age: 19
10 caps, 2 goals this season
Verdict
Bruma has steadily improved during his loan spell and scored two wonder goals in the game against Burnley. Chelsea clearly rate him highly and he has made his full international debut for Holland at the age of 19. Sven also clearly rates the youngster, at times bravely starting him instead of a preferred option by the fans.
His naivety and immaturity has been shown at times, but he would be a strong squad player who can also play in midfield – arguably his better position. But with current depth in that position, it is more likely he would feature as a centre-back. Like Van Aanholt, a permanent transfer away from Stamford Bridge is unlikely. But a season long loan would allow Bruma to develop so much more – and he has expressed his interest to stay.
Verdict
Stay if possible - Sven clearly likes what he sees in this young prospect and he will only get better – if Chelsea are willing to loan him out again.
Part two will focus on a number of current Leicester City players whose future at the club remains uncertain and what their role may be next season.
This is the first part of a look at a certain set of players who Sven will be considering whether or not to bring back for next season’s promotion push – the loan players.
Kyle Naughton
Parent club: Tottenham Hotspur
Age: 22 years
33 caps, 5 goals this season
Verdict
The Tottenham loanee has enjoyed a fantastic season at Leicester City, scoring five times from the full-back position (although pushing forward with such energy in attack he appears confident enough at times to be a winger) and winning the Young Player of the Season award for the Foxes. His defending is solid and he makes very few mistakes. He extended his initial loan spell from January until the end of the season, which is an indication of him being happy at Leicester. Most fans would be delighted to see Naughton back at the club next season and, as Spurs have strength in depth in the right back position, there is a real possibility.
However, the pull of the Premier League may be too tempting for such a young talent. Recently promoted Queens Park Rangers are rumoured to be interested, while a recent call up to the provisional England U21 squad will have a number of other managers turning their heads. Eriksson is likely to put in a bid for Naughton during the summer, but he could be heading to the top flight.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Sven-Goran Eriksson should certainly be considering bringing Naughton in on a permanent deal.
Ben Mee
Parent club: Manchester City
Age: 21 years
10 caps this season
Verdict
The Manchester City youngster had a terrible start to his loan spell at the Walkers Stadium. In his first game, he gave away two penalties (one after less than a minute) and on another day may have been issued a red card. Since then, Mee has worked tirelessly to prove his critics wrong and done so with real gusto. You will never see him duck out of a challenge and is great in the air for a comparatively short centre-half.
Aged 21, he has a good future ahead of him. But with the financial situation as strong as it is at Manchester City and their ability to attract world class players (this ability will only grow with Champions League football being on the cards next season), his future may well be away from Eastlands. Leicester are thin on central defenders (especially with Alexsandar Tunchev’s future at the club uncertain) and Ben Mee is a raw talent who can adapt to play left-back if required.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Mee could quite easily develop into a starting centre back at Leicester. Sven may consider a season long loan for the Sale born defender which would allow him to develop.
Miguel Vitor
Parent club: Benfica
Age: 21
15 caps, 3 goals this season
Verdict
Although Vitor was one of Paulo Sousa’s signings, the Portuguese defender played sparingly in the opening stages of the season. After scoring his first goal for the club in 2010 against Barnsley, Vitor’s season was marred by a hamstring injury that saw him sidelined for months. Since returning, he has been used in rotation and generally impressed as a solid centre-half.
It seems strange that Sven announced that he was interested in signing Vitor as he dropped the 21 year old one game after he scored a brace. It is difficult to understand how highly he is rated because of this. But, as mentioned earlier, Leicester are thin on centre-backs and Vitor would fit into the Foxes’ style of football nicely. He is always a threat from set pieces too; his three goals have come from either free kicks or corners.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Sven should consider making Vitor a permanent Leicester player this summer – if his current injury is not too serious.
Patrick Van Aanholt
Parent club: Chelsea
Age: 20
11 caps, 1 goal this season
Verdict
Van Aanholt has had an inconsistent loan spell due to injury – he missed six weeks with a torn thigh muscle in February. Since joining Chelsea in 2009, he has played only twice for them and has undergone loan spells at Coventry, Newcastle and now Leicester. Dubbed as ‘the next Ashley Cole’, the Dutchman is a real talent pushing forward although at times his defending has left little to be desired.
Van Aanholt has certainly improved on that side of the ball and his attacking play is a genuine threat to other sides. But Sven has been critical of his defence this season for letting in too many goals, and whether he has done enough to impress Eriksson to bring him back next season is unclear. Chelsea will probably make the decision for him anyway, and there is little chance of a permanent move in that respect.
Stay or Go?
Go. Van Aanholt would get games regularly at Leicester if he were brought back on loan next season, but Sven may look for a more experienced head at left-back.
Diomansy Kamara
Parent Club: Fulham
Age: 30
7 caps, 2 goals this season
Verdict
After moving to Craven Cottage in 2007, the Senegalese striker has played just 59 games for Fulham and found himself out of favour this season, falling down the pecking order dramatically. However, his three seasons at West Bromwich Albion make it clear that he is an experienced player at this level but does still have Premier League ability – which has been demonstrated in his brief spell at the Walkers Stadium.
Kamara can tear sides apart when he has a good day. Has a slight tendency to go missing when he has a bad day. But he has indicated that he wishes to return next season, and his performance in the end of season clash with Ipswich Town was indicative of that. He has blistering pace despite being the wrong side of 30 and oozes confidence with his close control. He would be a fantastic addition to the squad and have the burning desire to make it to the Premier League with a new club.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Sven should be looking at making Kamara a permanent signing.
Yakubu
Parent club: Everton
Age: 28
20 caps, 11 goals this season
This is the interesting one of the bunch. Yakubu has spent a lot of time in the Premier League and his goal scoring record in that division has always been impressive. Since joining the Foxes in January this year, the Yak has scored 11 goals in 20 games. Most fans would be pleased with that, but many are frustrated with his reluctance to chase down every lost cause. That simply is not the type of player he is.
Yakubu believes his future does not lie at Goodison Park, and has stated that he would cherish a permanent move to Leicester. David Moyes is rumoured to want to cut his losses with the Nigerian so that Everton can restructure their wage bill for next season. Money is likely not to come into the equation at Leicester, and Yakubu could well be the 25 goal-a-season striker Leicester have yearned for during the last two seasons.
Stay or Go?
Stay. It is possible that Yakubu could be one of Leicester’s big summer deals.
Jeffrey Bruma
Parent club: Chelsea
Age: 19
10 caps, 2 goals this season
Verdict
Bruma has steadily improved during his loan spell and scored two wonder goals in the game against Burnley. Chelsea clearly rate him highly and he has made his full international debut for Holland at the age of 19. Sven also clearly rates the youngster, at times bravely starting him instead of a preferred option by the fans.
His naivety and immaturity has been shown at times, but he would be a strong squad player who can also play in midfield – arguably his better position. But with current depth in that position, it is more likely he would feature as a centre-back. Like Van Aanholt, a permanent transfer away from Stamford Bridge is unlikely. But a season long loan would allow Bruma to develop so much more – and he has expressed his interest to stay.
Verdict
Stay if possible - Sven clearly likes what he sees in this young prospect and he will only get better – if Chelsea are willing to loan him out again.
Part two will focus on a number of current Leicester City players whose future at the club remains uncertain and what their role may be next season.
Saturday 7 May 2011
Leicester City 4 Ipswich Town 2 - 7th May 2011
Leicester City ended their season on a high note by beating a spirited Ipswich Town side in an entertaining match at the Walkers Stadium this afternoon.
Goals from Andy King, Yakubu and Yuki Abe had given the Foxes a comfortable advantage at the break, but Grant Leadbitter and Connor Wickham hit back for the visitors within the space of two second-half minutes.
Diomansy Kamara kept his nerve to convert from close range to thwart any further comeback and give Leicester their thirteenth home win of the season.
It was a fine display of football by both sides and Sven-Goran Eriksson will have been pleased that his side gave a good home performance despite falling short of the playoffs.
It was also the third game in their last four at the Walkers Stadium in which Leicester had scored four goals - and also meant that they ended the Championship campaign as the league’s highest goal scorers at home.
Ipswich should have taken the lead after just three minutes when a slip by Miguel Vitor gifted David Norris a glorious opportunity but the Ipswich skipper fired wide of the mark from twelve yards.
Leicester responded positively and came close themselves when recently-named player of the season Richie Wellens made a decent break from midfield before finding Yakubu on the edge of the area, but the Nigerian’s fierce strike flew just over the crossbar.
Yuki Abe was then on hand to make a goal line clearance from a corner kick before Chris Weale made a great double save from Connor Wickham’s long range strike and Jason Scotland’s follow up effort.
Ipswich would soon be made to pay for their missed chances as Leicester took the lead through Andy King who was picked out at the back post by Paul Gallagher’s brilliant cross with the Welshman on hand to head home his sixteenth goal of the season.
The goal came at a cost, however, as Darius Vassell picked up an injury in the process and was replaced by Diomansy Kamara – just before Miguel Vitor limped off for the home side and was replaced with fan-favourite Alexsandar Tunchev.
Tunchev was soon in the thick of the action in front of goal, turning Paul Gallagher’s free-kick goal bound and forcing former Leicester goalkeeper Marton Fulop into an acrobatic save.
Leicester did double their advantage three minutes before half-time when Andy King’s effort struck the woodwork but fell directly into the path of Yakubu who finished neatly to score his fourth goal in three games.
It was an instinctive finish from the Everton loanee who has been linked with a permanent move to the Walkers Stadium in the summer.
Jason Scotland then squandered another fine opportunity to grab a goal back for the Tractor Boys but his close range effort was again well saved by Chris Weale.
Leicester capitalised on another missed chance by the visitors in first-half stoppage time when Andy King’s pinpoint pass found Yuki Abe in acres of space who fired past Marton Fulop from eighteen yards for his first goal for the club.
It was a proud moment for the Japanese international and a well-deserved goal after a fine debut season for the Foxes.
Ipswich looked dead and buried at the break but came out firing on all cylinders in the second half with Connor Wickham firing just wide of the post.
The visitors were awarded a penalty on the hour mark when an Ipswich Town corner kick was cleared but adjudged to have struck the arm of Jeffrey Bruma, with Grant Leadbitter converting from the spot to give Paul Jewell’s men a lifeline.
Patrick Van Aanholt’s terrible back pass moments later then allowed Connor Wickham through on goal who fired past Chris Weale to make it 3-2.
It was a good finish by the England under-21 international and capped an all-round impressive display by the youngster.
Leicester soon restored their two-goal cushion after 72 minutes however through some excellent build-up play involving Yakubu and Patrick Van Aanholt on the left side of midfield which allowed the Dutchman to deliver a fine low ball into the penalty area, and although Andy King’s initial effort was blocked, Diomansy Kamara was on hand to fire home from close range and put the game beyond Ipswich.
It was a goal that also capped a fine performance by the Fulham loanee who appeared keen to impress the Leicester coaching staff, after also being linked with a full-time move to the East Midland in the summer.
The game began to die down after an end-to-end few minutes – although not before a tussle between Kamara and Grant Leadbitter following a foul on Yakubu that resulted in both players being cautioned.
Connor Wickham came close for the visitors in stoppage time after a mazy run but his shot flew wide of the near post.
The full-time whistle was followed by a lap of the pitch by both Leicester City players and staff, and Foxes fans left the Walkers Stadium mostly content after an entertaining season with plenty to look forward to over the summer.
Man of the Match – Andy King
Goals from Andy King, Yakubu and Yuki Abe had given the Foxes a comfortable advantage at the break, but Grant Leadbitter and Connor Wickham hit back for the visitors within the space of two second-half minutes.
Diomansy Kamara kept his nerve to convert from close range to thwart any further comeback and give Leicester their thirteenth home win of the season.
It was a fine display of football by both sides and Sven-Goran Eriksson will have been pleased that his side gave a good home performance despite falling short of the playoffs.
It was also the third game in their last four at the Walkers Stadium in which Leicester had scored four goals - and also meant that they ended the Championship campaign as the league’s highest goal scorers at home.
Ipswich should have taken the lead after just three minutes when a slip by Miguel Vitor gifted David Norris a glorious opportunity but the Ipswich skipper fired wide of the mark from twelve yards.
Leicester responded positively and came close themselves when recently-named player of the season Richie Wellens made a decent break from midfield before finding Yakubu on the edge of the area, but the Nigerian’s fierce strike flew just over the crossbar.
Yuki Abe was then on hand to make a goal line clearance from a corner kick before Chris Weale made a great double save from Connor Wickham’s long range strike and Jason Scotland’s follow up effort.
Ipswich would soon be made to pay for their missed chances as Leicester took the lead through Andy King who was picked out at the back post by Paul Gallagher’s brilliant cross with the Welshman on hand to head home his sixteenth goal of the season.
The goal came at a cost, however, as Darius Vassell picked up an injury in the process and was replaced by Diomansy Kamara – just before Miguel Vitor limped off for the home side and was replaced with fan-favourite Alexsandar Tunchev.
Tunchev was soon in the thick of the action in front of goal, turning Paul Gallagher’s free-kick goal bound and forcing former Leicester goalkeeper Marton Fulop into an acrobatic save.
Leicester did double their advantage three minutes before half-time when Andy King’s effort struck the woodwork but fell directly into the path of Yakubu who finished neatly to score his fourth goal in three games.
It was an instinctive finish from the Everton loanee who has been linked with a permanent move to the Walkers Stadium in the summer.
Jason Scotland then squandered another fine opportunity to grab a goal back for the Tractor Boys but his close range effort was again well saved by Chris Weale.
Leicester capitalised on another missed chance by the visitors in first-half stoppage time when Andy King’s pinpoint pass found Yuki Abe in acres of space who fired past Marton Fulop from eighteen yards for his first goal for the club.
It was a proud moment for the Japanese international and a well-deserved goal after a fine debut season for the Foxes.
Ipswich looked dead and buried at the break but came out firing on all cylinders in the second half with Connor Wickham firing just wide of the post.
The visitors were awarded a penalty on the hour mark when an Ipswich Town corner kick was cleared but adjudged to have struck the arm of Jeffrey Bruma, with Grant Leadbitter converting from the spot to give Paul Jewell’s men a lifeline.
Patrick Van Aanholt’s terrible back pass moments later then allowed Connor Wickham through on goal who fired past Chris Weale to make it 3-2.
It was a good finish by the England under-21 international and capped an all-round impressive display by the youngster.
Leicester soon restored their two-goal cushion after 72 minutes however through some excellent build-up play involving Yakubu and Patrick Van Aanholt on the left side of midfield which allowed the Dutchman to deliver a fine low ball into the penalty area, and although Andy King’s initial effort was blocked, Diomansy Kamara was on hand to fire home from close range and put the game beyond Ipswich.
It was a goal that also capped a fine performance by the Fulham loanee who appeared keen to impress the Leicester coaching staff, after also being linked with a full-time move to the East Midland in the summer.
The game began to die down after an end-to-end few minutes – although not before a tussle between Kamara and Grant Leadbitter following a foul on Yakubu that resulted in both players being cautioned.
Connor Wickham came close for the visitors in stoppage time after a mazy run but his shot flew wide of the near post.
The full-time whistle was followed by a lap of the pitch by both Leicester City players and staff, and Foxes fans left the Walkers Stadium mostly content after an entertaining season with plenty to look forward to over the summer.
Man of the Match – Andy King
Sunday 1 May 2011
Leicester City: A Year in Review
Leicester City were officially eliminated from the Championship playoff race this weekend after an eventful year of highs and lows. This is a look back at some of those moments, as well as a look towards the future, next season and what Foxes fans might expect.
To finish outside of the playoffs will undoubtedly be considered a disappointment by some supporters. But a closer look at what actually happened this year explains why this season should not be seen as such.
The previous two seasons were certainly successful for Leicester City. Following the heartbreak of relegation to League One in 2009 – for the first time in club history – under the guise of Nigel Pearson, Leicester bounced back with real gusto as they were promoted as champions of that division. In their first season back in the Championship, Pearson led Leicester to the brink of promotion again with a similar squad, falling just short of the playoff final after losing out on penalties to Cardiff City. Both seasons (albeit having different outcomes) were very successful, and brought Leicester back to winning ways following a number of disappointing seasons and lower mid-table finishes in the Championship.
The summer of 2010 saw Nigel Pearson surprisingly part ways with Leicester City, and be replaced with Paulo Sousa. The former Portuguese international suffered a dreadful start to the season, picking up just five points in nine games, while the Foxes endured some awful defeats including a 6-1 thumping at the hands of Portsmouth at Fratton Park – a side they had beaten 2-1 just two days before at the same ground. This was in spite of bringing fan favourite Martyn Waghorn back to the club after a successful season long loan in 2009/2010, as well as Benfica defender Miguel Vitor, Moreno and Michael Lamey. Leicester conceded four goals in a loss against Norwich, a match that also saw Matty Fryatt pick up a red card. By this point, Leicester were rock bottom of the Championship. They were leaking goals regularly, and the defence, which had been essentially the same personnel under Nigel Pearson, looked tired, sluggish, and uncomfortable.
Amidst the turmoil off the pitch, Leicester were taken over by a Thai-based consortium called Asian Football Investments – fronted by duty free retailers King Power owned by Vichai Raksriaksorn. Milan Mandaric remained club chairman at this time, but would too part ways in November 2010 to take over League One outfit Sheffield Wednesday.
Sousa was dismissed soon after the Norwich defeat and a poor run of form and was replaced temporarily by former player and first-team development coach Chris Powell. However, Leicester were soon linked with former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who signed a two-year contract with the club after the Foxes picked up just their second league win of the season against Scunthorpe United in October.
Eriksson brought in a number of loan signings to Leicester City. Gregg Cunningham, Kyle Naughton, and Curtis Davies all joined the Foxes, while Eriksson also signed free agent and former England international Darius Vassell on a permanent deal. Roman Bednar and Chris Kirkland also were brought in on loan deals, although enjoyed less successful spells than some of their teammates. This provided varying levels of success – with Naughton, Cunningham and Vassell all fitting Eriksson’s preferred style of fast-paced, high tempo and fluid football. These loan signings were, for the most part, an improvement to the squad and became key players, as Eriksson had very limited opportunity to delve into the transfer market and sign players.
Eriksson’s first game in charge of Leicester resulted in a 1-1 home draw against Hull City – who were now under the leadership of former Foxes manager Nigel Pearson. However, it was not long before better results were produced, including wins against Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Derby, and a thumping 5-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers. But consistency did continue to be a problem for Leicester. In the run up to the New Year, Leicester suffered losses to Millwall, Watford and Ipswich; but were picking up points and improved to seventeenth in the league at the end of 2010.
2011 saw more improvement at the Walkers Stadium. Leicester enjoyed a fantastic run of league form that saw them go undefeated in eight games, winning five in a row. Eriksson delved in the loan market again, drafting in Everton striker and Nigerian international Yakubu and Manchester City youngster Ben Mee. Ivorian centre back Sol Bamba was also signed on a permanent deal from SPL club Hibernian – who scored his first goal for Leicester City in a memorable 2-2 draw against Premier League big spenders Manchester City in the third round of the FA Cup. By mid-February, Leicester were seventh in the league and one point of the playoff places. Sven-Goran Eriksson was on the brink of the most remarkable turnaround in recent club history.
But eventually, cracks began to emerge. Leicester struggled in a number of tough games against fellow promotion hopefuls Cardiff, QPR and Norwich City. Despite further loan signings of Chelsea defenders Patrick Van Aanholt and Jeffrey Bruma, as well as former Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo, defensive frailties were uncovered and Leicester started conceding goals again. A difficult run of games in quick succession culminated with a 3-2 loss on Good Friday to local rivals Nottingham Forest – a defeat that essentially vanquished their playoff dreams. Leicester were eventually eliminated from the playoffs at the end of April following an away draw at relegation-threatened Doncaster Rovers.
However, the season has not been a failure. Under Sven-Goran Eriksson, Leicester City have won seventeen games and kept a side believing in promotion despite being more concerned with relegation when he took over. The Foxes have averaged 1.6 points per game under Eriksson, which averages 74 points over the course of the season – a total which would have mathematically resulted in Leicester finishing at least sixth this season. Eriksson has also made contract renewals with key players Andy King, Richie Wellens and Paul Gallagher. These players are the nucleus of the side and will be vital in the progression of Leicester City in the development of a promotion push for next season.
Eriksson was unlucky not to have been able to spend much time in the transfer market this season. Whilst the loan signings of Kyle Naughton, Ben Mee, and, to a certain extent, Yakubu and Patrick Van Aanholt have proved to be important this season, these players have to some extent merely painted over the cracks of the real issues of the quality of this squad. This season, Leicester have been able to compete. But to have made the playoffs this year would have been a misrepresentation – given that Leicester have struggled against current promotion contenders such as Norwich, Cardiff, Swansea and Reading. The Premier League would have come too soon for this side.
The only respect in which this season can be considered a disappointment is that the season is essentially over, yet nothing is up for grabs. The last two seasons saw Leicester enjoy promotion chases, but prior to that, even the nail-biting threat of relegation saw poor seasons go down to the wire, both with success and failure. A lack of excitement should not necessarily translate to disappointment. The playoffs just were not to be this year.
Sven-Goran Eriksson did turn this season around. But expect bigger and better things next season. The pressure will be greater next season – and this upcoming summer in particular will be definitive.
To finish outside of the playoffs will undoubtedly be considered a disappointment by some supporters. But a closer look at what actually happened this year explains why this season should not be seen as such.
The previous two seasons were certainly successful for Leicester City. Following the heartbreak of relegation to League One in 2009 – for the first time in club history – under the guise of Nigel Pearson, Leicester bounced back with real gusto as they were promoted as champions of that division. In their first season back in the Championship, Pearson led Leicester to the brink of promotion again with a similar squad, falling just short of the playoff final after losing out on penalties to Cardiff City. Both seasons (albeit having different outcomes) were very successful, and brought Leicester back to winning ways following a number of disappointing seasons and lower mid-table finishes in the Championship.
The summer of 2010 saw Nigel Pearson surprisingly part ways with Leicester City, and be replaced with Paulo Sousa. The former Portuguese international suffered a dreadful start to the season, picking up just five points in nine games, while the Foxes endured some awful defeats including a 6-1 thumping at the hands of Portsmouth at Fratton Park – a side they had beaten 2-1 just two days before at the same ground. This was in spite of bringing fan favourite Martyn Waghorn back to the club after a successful season long loan in 2009/2010, as well as Benfica defender Miguel Vitor, Moreno and Michael Lamey. Leicester conceded four goals in a loss against Norwich, a match that also saw Matty Fryatt pick up a red card. By this point, Leicester were rock bottom of the Championship. They were leaking goals regularly, and the defence, which had been essentially the same personnel under Nigel Pearson, looked tired, sluggish, and uncomfortable.
Amidst the turmoil off the pitch, Leicester were taken over by a Thai-based consortium called Asian Football Investments – fronted by duty free retailers King Power owned by Vichai Raksriaksorn. Milan Mandaric remained club chairman at this time, but would too part ways in November 2010 to take over League One outfit Sheffield Wednesday.
Sousa was dismissed soon after the Norwich defeat and a poor run of form and was replaced temporarily by former player and first-team development coach Chris Powell. However, Leicester were soon linked with former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who signed a two-year contract with the club after the Foxes picked up just their second league win of the season against Scunthorpe United in October.
Eriksson brought in a number of loan signings to Leicester City. Gregg Cunningham, Kyle Naughton, and Curtis Davies all joined the Foxes, while Eriksson also signed free agent and former England international Darius Vassell on a permanent deal. Roman Bednar and Chris Kirkland also were brought in on loan deals, although enjoyed less successful spells than some of their teammates. This provided varying levels of success – with Naughton, Cunningham and Vassell all fitting Eriksson’s preferred style of fast-paced, high tempo and fluid football. These loan signings were, for the most part, an improvement to the squad and became key players, as Eriksson had very limited opportunity to delve into the transfer market and sign players.
Eriksson’s first game in charge of Leicester resulted in a 1-1 home draw against Hull City – who were now under the leadership of former Foxes manager Nigel Pearson. However, it was not long before better results were produced, including wins against Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Derby, and a thumping 5-1 victory over Doncaster Rovers. But consistency did continue to be a problem for Leicester. In the run up to the New Year, Leicester suffered losses to Millwall, Watford and Ipswich; but were picking up points and improved to seventeenth in the league at the end of 2010.
2011 saw more improvement at the Walkers Stadium. Leicester enjoyed a fantastic run of league form that saw them go undefeated in eight games, winning five in a row. Eriksson delved in the loan market again, drafting in Everton striker and Nigerian international Yakubu and Manchester City youngster Ben Mee. Ivorian centre back Sol Bamba was also signed on a permanent deal from SPL club Hibernian – who scored his first goal for Leicester City in a memorable 2-2 draw against Premier League big spenders Manchester City in the third round of the FA Cup. By mid-February, Leicester were seventh in the league and one point of the playoff places. Sven-Goran Eriksson was on the brink of the most remarkable turnaround in recent club history.
But eventually, cracks began to emerge. Leicester struggled in a number of tough games against fellow promotion hopefuls Cardiff, QPR and Norwich City. Despite further loan signings of Chelsea defenders Patrick Van Aanholt and Jeffrey Bruma, as well as former Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo, defensive frailties were uncovered and Leicester started conceding goals again. A difficult run of games in quick succession culminated with a 3-2 loss on Good Friday to local rivals Nottingham Forest – a defeat that essentially vanquished their playoff dreams. Leicester were eventually eliminated from the playoffs at the end of April following an away draw at relegation-threatened Doncaster Rovers.
However, the season has not been a failure. Under Sven-Goran Eriksson, Leicester City have won seventeen games and kept a side believing in promotion despite being more concerned with relegation when he took over. The Foxes have averaged 1.6 points per game under Eriksson, which averages 74 points over the course of the season – a total which would have mathematically resulted in Leicester finishing at least sixth this season. Eriksson has also made contract renewals with key players Andy King, Richie Wellens and Paul Gallagher. These players are the nucleus of the side and will be vital in the progression of Leicester City in the development of a promotion push for next season.
Eriksson was unlucky not to have been able to spend much time in the transfer market this season. Whilst the loan signings of Kyle Naughton, Ben Mee, and, to a certain extent, Yakubu and Patrick Van Aanholt have proved to be important this season, these players have to some extent merely painted over the cracks of the real issues of the quality of this squad. This season, Leicester have been able to compete. But to have made the playoffs this year would have been a misrepresentation – given that Leicester have struggled against current promotion contenders such as Norwich, Cardiff, Swansea and Reading. The Premier League would have come too soon for this side.
The only respect in which this season can be considered a disappointment is that the season is essentially over, yet nothing is up for grabs. The last two seasons saw Leicester enjoy promotion chases, but prior to that, even the nail-biting threat of relegation saw poor seasons go down to the wire, both with success and failure. A lack of excitement should not necessarily translate to disappointment. The playoffs just were not to be this year.
Sven-Goran Eriksson did turn this season around. But expect bigger and better things next season. The pressure will be greater next season – and this upcoming summer in particular will be definitive.
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