Will Foxes lift the Premier League title / Image via skysports.com
Their dream has become a tangible reality.
The trophy is within a touching distance, but it could still turn out to be a nightmare for Leicester City who are feeling great pressure in the Premier League title run-in.
With just four games remaining, Claudio Ranieri’s men have put one hand on the Premier League title as they sit top of the league with five points clear of second-placed Tottenham.
The history is in the making as Foxes look set to write the most glorious chapter in their 132 years long existance.
Winning the first-ever top-flight title would be a dream come true and a success that would forever be written not just in the club’s books.
However the season may end, Leicester City’s incredible campaign has been a victory of football against modernisation and globalisation as Foxes defied odds against wealthier clubs to show that money can’t always buys you success.
The team composed of until recently obscure and unknown footballers turned stars overnight is running towards the finish line with great desire, but Ranineri’s men could still fall short if they don’t play their cards right in the closing stages of the Premier League season.
With the pressure mounting, can Foxes do it?
Tough schedule
It will be down to endurance, composure and mental strength as Leicester City enter the final four rounds on the back of a bravely snatched 2-2 draw against West Ham on Sunday.
Next up is the home game against Swansea City next weekend before Ranieri takes his man to a trip to Old Trafford on 1 May. It is not getting any easier as Leicester City are due to welcome struggling Everton six days later before wrapping up the season with a visit to Stamford Bridge.
There is great symbolism to the clash against Chelsea as we could see the reigning champions turn their crown over to the new winners.
It is a long road ahead as Leicester City are playing teams with plenty to play and fight for. Four games up and Leicester City need eight points to wrap up the title. They stand at the odds of 1/2 to lift the trophy at the end of the season.
Distractions
Leicester City are not only fighting on the pitch, they have a couple of issues off of it to deal with.
The Harley Street physician Dr. Mark Bonar has made doping allegations two weeks ago suggesting that Leicester City were among the clubs he prescribed banned substances for, which could have had a detrimental effect to team’s atmosphere.
The Foxes denied the claims of unsubstantiated allegations that have surfaced at the most delicate time of the season.
The pressure is piling and the players are feeling it too. Some of them even fell victims to it, Jamie Vardy being one of them. His West Ham theatrics and expulsion aside, but the England international should not have allowed himself to react angrily towards referee Jon Moss.
The FA has charged Leicester striker with improper conduct for his behaviour following his second-half dismissal and the 29-year-old could be in line for an extended ban in addition to his one-match automatic suspension.
The Football Association also charged Leicester City as the club failed to control their players after West Ham won as 83rd-minute penalty.
Can Ranieri finally make it?
Claudio Ranieri’s emotional reactions from the West Ham game were enough of an evidence of how much the title would mean for the Italian boss, players and the club in general.
Still, he mustn’t let emotions stay in his way towards the Premier League crown.
Leicester City manager has a history of being nearly there but not quite at it. The experienced veteran tactician has ditched his old habits in order to achieve new goals with the club but the memories of his ‘nearly there’ time with Juventus and AS Roma hangs above his head.
Having finished runner-up with both of the Italian giants, Ranieri might be worried of history repeating itself.
The Italian should be applauded for the way he conducted himself and his team throughout a turbulent Premier League season though.
Dignified throughout the campaign Claudio Ranieri showed respect in every step of the way and him lifting the title with Leicester City would indeed be a worth conclusion of a crazy season in the world’s most exciting competition.
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