It is the question on everybody's lips. Back in the Autumn, the excitement centred around Jamie Vardy breaking the Premier League record for scoring goals in consecutive matches, then once broken he actually did not score, but Leicester continued to find the net and more significantly kept winning and sit on top of the Premier League 5 points clear of Arsenal. It has in equal measure shocked and excited us all. But, can they REALLY win it? Let's look at the evidence...
A fact that no-one can dispute is that, in the past, teams that are leading the league table in February usually go on to win the title. So the simple answer ought to be Yes! they can. Yet, watching the pundits Charlie Nicholas, Paul Merson, Matt Le Tissier and Phil Thompson expertly marshalled by Jeff Stelling on Sky Sports Super Saturday yesterday, you sensed that the cynics still believe that they will tumble, and tumble hard. Watching the ruthless defeats of Liverpool and Manchester City, they were executed with high quality possession play and exquisite finishing. Although I didn't watch the entire match, the league defeat at White Hart Lane of Tottenham was a real head-turner; because Spurs are a team in a rich vein of form, and yet they grafted, rode their luck, muzzled a rampant Harry Kane, and scored a critical winner as though they'd been at it for years!
What about Arsenal? I can hear you gooners loud and clear! Leicester lost at home to a rampant Arsenal side in late September 2-5, who then despatched, alas no! Blitzed Manchester United with a first half demolition the following week only to fluff their lines against lowly Olympiakos days later. On paper, Arsenal ought to easily defeat 'lowly' Leicester, but the team that they meet pack a real punch and after the Valentine's Day showdown, high-flying Hull breeze into town in the FA Cup looking to prove their Premier League pedigree as they (for the moment) sit at the summit of the Championship table, followed by the magicians of Catalonia; namely Barcelona and then a much improved Manchester United; February could make or debilitate Arsenal - history would suggest the latter, which strengthens Leicester's pursuit of the title. But, all of that could be purely academic, after all this is the season of surprises and the biggest one could be Arsenal finally discovering some backbone?
What about Tottenham? For me, they are the only true rivals for Ranieri's Foxes. In Harry Kane they have a red hot striker, in Dele Alli they have a fabulous play-maker and their defence is mean; in short they are an awesome package and are in striking distance of the title...if Leicester falter. Can Daniel Levy hold his nerve when 'squeaky bum time' comes? More importantly, can Spurs the club handle it? I am not convinced myself, Pochettino himself can handle anything, some of his players? I am not so sure; mentally they are new to all of this. Being one step from the trap-door last season and winning the battle will give Leicester an advantage, they are pursuing a positive target this time that has no consequence and Ranieri is the perfect manager to guide them. I need to be convinced about the Spurs collective; maybe an FA Cup instead?
That brings us to Manchester City. For me, Manuel Pelligrini has suffered the ultimate betrayal. He somehow has to continue and pursue four trophies; he may win them all but in all probability may win nothing at all. The speculation involving Pep Guardiola has been as damaging as last season's ill-timed warm weather jaunt prior to the ill-fated FA Cup tie with my team Middlesbrough. Speculation undermined Mark Hughes, then Roberto Mancini but with Pelligrini, it was unforgivable. For the Leicester game, focus should have been 100% on the match. This defeat may define their season; the distraction due to poor news management by the club will be costly. As I have stated in these blogs time and time again, small details can make or break a season. Vanity on this occasion is a curse for Manchester City; the cost of Guardiola's appointment may be greater than the deep pockets Sheik Mansoor can absorb...
The usual suspects like Manchester United and Chelsea are probably out of the conversation in terms of winning the title but may affect the ultimate destination. Both teams are obstacles to the title chasers and I sense that any of the above that can avoid defeat against these powerhouses will lift the Premier League title. For different reasons, both of these teams have rediscovered their DNA but too late to hit the front. I believe that if they negotiate Paris St German, a huge tie Chelsea could be a surprise package in the Champions League, and the Europa Cup could provide silverware and a launching pad for United respectively. Both teams are led by savvy street-wise Dutch Generals in Hiddink and Van Gaal, the latter has shown the depth of his strength and resolve to rescue what at times looked like a total disaster. Recent trips to watch both teams play live and today's fixture between them has been a timely reminder of the depth of high quality present. With both of them still in the FA Cup, do not be surprised if one of them lifts the trophy at Wembley. As one ponders those possibilities, it becomes clear how desperately badly both teams have performed this season. For the sake of their huge army of loyal and high spending fans, not to mention the sponsors, it is imperative that Manchester United and Chelsea restore pride and status as a matter of urgency. But, even with Pep Guardiola at City, these two will be back into the Premier League conversation next season alas! with new managers - expect Box-Office appointments! Jose Mourinho will be at the Theatre of Dreams but who's the other one? Surely not Ranieri? Now that could be VERY interesting!
Talking of great managers, Jurgen Klopp has been a fabulous appointment for Liverpool Football Club. Watching him at work with his intense desire to make good from what is clearly not up to scratch is absorbing, entertaining and refreshing. I love the way greets all the players at the conclusion of a game, his players and opponents alike are given hearty respect and acknowledgement; it's great to be a part of Jurgen's world! Yet, he has edge, and plenty of it. Like Van Gaal, he is always on the front foot with his media briefings, unique, open honest and last week at Leicester he was blunt. Liverpool have been screaming for this type of manager for a long time, and it was apparent to everyone who saw his first media briefing, Jurgen Klopp will deliver. Sunday 28th February could be the springboard that this club has been craving since that Steven Gerrard slip against Chelsea. One way or the other, this will be a watershed season.
Let's get back to the present and Leicester City, because this is their time and their moment. After the Manchester City I believe they will lift the title because they possess collective graft, a great manager, star quality in the penalty area and no fear. For the last game of the season on Sunday 15th May, they are away at the current champions Chelsea. The beautiful game will change forever if they lift the title and parade it around Stamford Bridge; how ironic that the trophy could make two outings in the same venue with different teams! I, like many football fans, want to see all my friends, that follow Leicester City to be drunk with disbelief alongside my mates in Teeside celebrating promotion for Middlesbrough as champions and all the Northamptonians cheering the Cobblers winning the league to move to League One. All the folks in Dorset keep telling me as they watch the Cherries host Premier League fixtures, that dreams really do come true, I want to believe it too! Come on Leicester!
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