A year goes quickly in the Championship, particularly when you’re winning and that’s exactly what Leicester City have done ever since they found themselves in the second tier last May.
The Foxes have bounced back at the first attempt, along with play-off winners Southampton and, while it may have been a surprise to see Ipswich make it to the Premier League too, these three have been the best teams consistently, though Leeds United fans may disagree!
There is no doubting Leicester’s place as Champions. The Foxes have led from the front and weathered the odd storm that came their way and won promotion with seven points to spare. And now they are back in the big time, ten years after their last promotion from the Championship and eight years after they stunned the football world by winning the Premier League.
The three teams promoted in 2023 have all made a rapid return to the Championship and the Premier League 2024 betting odds will inevitably predict a difficult season for the next batch of new boys; but the Foxes will be fancied to avoid the trapdoor.
But, in a fast moving story, they are almost certain to have a new man in the dugout, as Leicester manager Enzo Maresca looks like he is on the way to Chelsea.
A season in the Championship has been good for some
Maresca led a talented group of players to promotion, relying on some old hands while seeing some of the younger players thrive when they can work out of the spotlight. Experienced campaigners like Jamie Vardy and Marc Albrighton have been hugely influential; and they may play some part again with the club back in the Premier League.
Vardy has scored 18 goals in 35 games at a rate of 98 minutes a goal, the best ratio in the league by some margin and who’s to say the artful dodger won’t grab a few goals next term, quite possibly with a few cameo appearances from the bench.
But there are a number of Leicester players who have clearly benefited from a season in the Championship and they will come back stronger. England international wingback James Justin looked at home in the Premier League but was beset by injuries and he will be raring to get back among the best. He’s versatile and attack minded and has already picked up an England cap and Justin will be a key player for the Foxes this term.
Belgian centre back Wout Faes had a torrid time in his first season in England, but the Premier League can be brutal at times and he probably didn’t arrive at the best moment. With 13 caps for the Red Devils the 26 year old is clearly a good player and he was imperious in the Championship, and that will do his confidence to harm at all.
Another Premier League ready player is Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who has scored 12 goals and made 14 assists this season and, with Harvey Barnes now a Newcastle United player, Dewsbury-Hall will be a vital creative outlet for the Foxes.
Who can replace Maresca?
The euphoria of returning to the top flight has been dampened a little in recent days as Maresca has been in the Premier League 2024 news with a move to managerless Chelsea seemingly creeping ever nearer. The Stamford Bridge outfit have been given permission to speak to Maresca and that surely means he will be off to London within a few days.
The Italian’s release clause is said to be £8m and it’s difficult to imagine Chelsea’s big spending owner Todd Boehly balking at that figure. So; on the assumption there is a vacancy at the KingPower Stadium who is likely to be in the running?
One name in the frame is West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan who has impressed with the Baggies this season, leading them to the play-offs. The Spaniard took over at the Hawthorns in October 2022 and successfully steered West Brom away from safety, before transforming them into a promotion chasing team this season.
Here at SBOTOP we’ve been watching the Premier League manager carousel gathering pace and the departure of David Moyes from West Ham was one of the first changes of the summer. And if Leicester want an experienced head to guide them through the season then Moyes might be a good fit. The wily Scot took over at West Ham five years ago and he delivered the Europa Conference League, a first trophy since 1980, but the East London club have gambled on a change when things were going pretty well.
Moyes is available now, but he has also been linked with the Burnley job so Leicester may have competition for his services, particularly if he prefers a job near his Lancashire home.
And another manager who is readily available is former Chelsea manager Graham Potter. He has been biding his time since being sacked by the Blues in 2023, after just seven months in charge, though Potter has been linked with jobs at Ajax and Nice, and there is a chance he might make a sensational return to Brighton and Hove Albion, who he left to join Chelsea.
If Maresca does leave as expected, Leicester need to move quickly so they can return to the top flight with a clear plan.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
