Leicester City’s incredible XI if they had held onto their best stars

Don’t wait around for updates – sign up for our daily football email newsletter today!

Since miraculously winning the Premier League five years ago Leicester City have come on in leaps and bounds.

That seems a strange thing to say when the highest they've finished in the league since then is fifth, but the club has successfully cemented itself as one of the most capable sides in the country…outside the traditional big boys at least.

They're one of the best-run clubs in Europe, thanks in no small part to a brilliant scouting team who outdo themselves year on year by finding one unearthed gem after another.

But not only have Leicester bought well, they've sold well too. Top players have been allowed to leave for bigger and better things, but only if the price is right.

But how would their team look today if they'd kept a hold of all of their big stars from the last few years? Let's take a look….

GK – Kasper Schmeichel

The Danish goalkeeper hasn't quite eclipsed his famous father, but he hasn't done too badly for himself considering he signed for Leicester when they were in the Championship.

Kasper Schmeichel has been a mainstay in the side for over a decade now, and no one has come close to challenging him for the number one spot.

What changes would make to our team? Let us know in the comments section below…

RB – Ricardo Pereira

Ricardo Pereira is one of the most underrated full-backs in the Premier League. Injuries have largely kept him out of the limelight but the Portugal international has been a more than vital cog in Brendan Rodgers' side since joining in 2018.

Timothy Castagne filled in ably during Pereira's absence last season, but hasn't done enough to knock his teammate out of the starting line-up, so the former Porto man starts for us here.

CB – Harry Maguire

Perhaps not on current form, but Manchester United's Harry Maguire (just about) sneaks into the back four for us.

Leicester have four impressive central defenders at the moment and it feels harsh to leave three of them out, but the last few months shouldn't discount the fact that Maguire's form for United, England and Leicester has, generally speaking, been very good over the past few years.

There aren't many defenders who can command an £80 million fee and nail down a starting spot for England, remember.

CB – Wesley Fofana

It was a toss-up between Fofana, Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu for the second centre-back spot, but the young Frenchman gets our vote.

A devastating leg break in pre-season means he'll likely miss the entire campaign, but there are few defenders in the Premier League who look as promising as Fofana, with his impressive blend of power, speed and ability on the ball.

Definitely one for the future.

LB – Ben Chilwell

Ben Chilwell isn't all that popular at Leicester anymore after swapping the King Power Stadium for Stamford Bridge last summer, but the Chelsea man won't be too bothered.

He played a central role in the Blues' Champions League victory in May and has taken his game to another level this season, flourishing as an inverted full-back in Thomas Tuchel's team.

Sadly, a serious knee injury has sidelined him for what could be the rest of the season, but he still walks into our team.

DM – Wilfred Ndidi

Wilfred Ndidi was brought in to fix the gaping hole left in Leicester's side following the departure of N'Golo Kante, and while he might not have completely filled the little Frenchman's shoes (could anyone?), he's nonetheless established himself as one of the Premier League's sternest midfielders.

The tough-tackling Nigerian has made nearly 200 appearances for the Foxes, and few can rival the impact he has on Leicester's midfield and the team in general.

CM – N'Golo Kante

The Chelsea man only spent one season at Leicester but sewed himself into the fabric there after playing a revolutionary role in the club's fairy-tale title win in 2016.

N'Golo Kante is undeniably one of the finest midfielders in the world – possibly even of his generation – with his unique mix of energy, power, technical prowess and reading of the game.

There isn't a team on the planet that wouldn't try and fit him in somewhere.

CM – Youri Tielemans

The highly-rated Belgian has been eyed up by Liverpool, Barcelona and Manchester United in recent months, and with good reason.

Youri Tielemans' versatility has made him a prized asset for Brendan Rodgers, who has deployed him in attacking and defensive midfield positions, both to great effect.

He scored a wonder goal in Leicester's 1-0 win over Chelsea in the FA Cup final last season, forever etching his name into the club's history, though it's likely the best is yet to come.

RW – Riyad Mahrez

Riyad Mahrez was exceptional during Leicester's title winning season, and it's crazy to think they signed him from Le Havre for just £450,000.

He finished seventh in the Ballon d'Or in 2016, but his relationship with the club became strained when he tried to force a move away.

Mahrez eventually got his dream to Manchester City in 2018, and whatever bad blood may exist between him and the fans now, few could deny that he's the club's greatest ever winger.

LW – Harvey Barnes

Leicester don't just buy well, they nurture talent well too and Harvey Barnes is the latest testament to that.

Following in the footsteps of Chilwell, Barnes has firmly established himself in the first-team and is fast becoming one of the Premier League's most exciting wide forwards.

The club have gone through a number of wingers in the past few seasons, but since Mahrez left none have matched the consistency and effectiveness of Barnes. And he's only going to get better.

ST – Jamie Vardy

Who else? The man who will likely have a statue outside the King Power one day, Jamie Vardy's relationship with the fans is unique in that he's the only player who chose not to leave when the big clubs came circling in 2016 (despite briefly flirting with Arsenal at one point).

The 34-year-old's rags-to-riches story is beautifully in sync with Leicester's, and after scoring over 150 goals for the club no one can deny his place among the all-time great Premier League strikers.

Patson Daka might be Leicester's future, but Jamie Vardy is Leicester's history.

• Leicester City FC
• Harry Maguire
• Premier League
• Jamie Vardy

Source: Read Full Article