Leicester City breaks the mold en route to EPL title

We know what we are.

Those were the words that were being echoed across pubs in Leicester. It is a simple statement that sounds good during a campaign but when it is applied to winning an English Premier League title it is a bit of scary thought. Leicester City are the champions of the 2015-2016 English Premier League because they know what they are.

Although the Leicester City win in and of itself is an accomplishment it is the way in which they won the title. This was not a nail biter, down-to-the-wire title win (although some of the individual matches were). Leicester City won the EPL title with an eight point cushion and two matches to spare. Two games!

What makes this title win so interesting not just to Leicester City supporters, but to football supporters across the world is that it is a marked change of pace. The English Premier League since its inception has been marked by the dominance of just a handful of clubs. Any person who has at least a passing interest in the Premier League could likely name the top four clubs at any given season.

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Leicester is different. This is a side that was two years ago playing in the Second Division and whose greatest achievement prior to Monday night were their three League Cup titles. It is a team made up of journeymen and a coach who one year prior was losing to the Faeroe Islands. As the great Ian Darke once said, “You cannot write a script like this.”

While that is great for those supporters for the rest of the world it made things a bit predictable and a bit boring. Sports are at their best when there is a bit of intrigue and a bit of uncertainty. Leicester City certainly provided that uncertainty during the 2015-2016 season going against the grain and the power clubs like Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal and doing remarkably well.

Even with the Foxes being unable to get a point against Arsenal in two matches there was progression across two matches. This was a side that took it to their opponents, did not play negative football, and continued to press opponents even when the odds were against them. Think about the end of the past five to ten Premier League seasons and ask yourself how many times the champion has played with the resolve and passion of Leicester.

Now the inevitable question comes to whether or not this is going to be a trend or if this is a one-off. Things are changing in the Premier League with television contracts, improved scouting, and foreign ownership narrowing the gap between the usual suspects and the rest of the league. Given the success of this season not just in Leicester but also in West Ham, Southampton, and to a lesser extent Tottenham (mostly because they drift between a top and mid-level club) the league is going to be hard-pressed to not look at ways to making the field more even. Parity has its benefits and giving teams chances that they might not normally have had is one of them.

Whether or not Leicester can replicate this success is actually irrelevant. The reason why the victory matters so much to non-Leicester supporters is that it is a sign to other supporters across the Premier League is that winning is possible. Clubs no longer have to accept tenth place and that there is always a chance to win it all. The hill still might be high, given the resources of the likes of the two Manchesters, Chelsea, and Arsenal. But it can be done.

Where Leicester goes from here is anyone’s guess. Despite the influx of cash from the Premier League’s television contract and the rebuilding projects being undertaken with the old guard things will still be a challenge. Pep Guardiola, Antonio Conte, and Jurgen Klopp will have Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool firing on all cylinders. Arsenal will always be a challenge and Manchester United will eventually figure out how to put together a competent side.

Europe is also calling for the Foxes. The Champions League will provide new opportunities for Leicester but new challenges as well as balance multiple tournaments is never easy. So too will be holding on to players like Jaime Vardy, Kaspar Schmeichel, and Riyad Mahrez will likely have suitors from both England and abroad with even bigger pockets than Leicester.

But all of those things are secondary points that should not take away from the moment. While they certainly should give the team pause for now what matters most is enjoy the moment. Leicester City may never be the champions of the English Premier League again but the English Premier League will never be the same again after Leicester City’s tremendous run to glory.

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