Leicester can win Champions League: Seven reasons why Foxes have what it takes to achieve the impossible – again
Foxes flying after fantastic start to European campaign and are one of the contenders to lift coveted trophy after title glory
IT’S the question on everyone’s lips at the moment – can Leicester win the Champions League?
The Premier League champions cruised to an impressive 1-0 victory over Porto at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday night, becoming the first English side to win two matches in the elite European competition this season.
Leicester have scored four goals and conceded zero after putting three past Club Brugge in their group stage opener earlier this month, and Claudio Ranieri’s men are buzzing.
The Foxes were given odds of 100/1 to win the prestigious tournament when they achieved qualification last year, but these have been cut to a rather impressive 25/1.
That puts them on an even keel with Arsenal and ahead of Tottenham, with only eight teams boasting better odds.
But have Leicester got what it takes to go all the way? SunSport reveals seven reasons why the impossible could actually happen.
THEY WON THE TITLE
HOW can anyone write Leicester off after last season’s stunning title win?
The Foxes proved the established ‘big’ clubs can be knocked off their perch as Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez led the way with some stunning performances.
The players have shown they have real appetite and drive, and nobody can take that away from them.
IT’S THEIR FIRST TIME
THE King Power Stadium was electric on Tuesday night.
Fans were singing loudly and proudly as Islam Slimani helped down Porto, and history is there to be created once again.
The good vibes have made their way down from the stands to the field, and there’s a sense of freedom around the ground as all involved look to steal the limelight once again.
MORALE IS HIGH AFTER NEW CONTRACTS
CLAUDIO RANIERI kicked things off when he celebrated the league win with a new deal.
And no less than NINE players followed suit in the summer, showing there is a true feeling of progress and ambition at Leicester.
Wes Morgan, Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, Andy King, Danny Drinkwater, Kasper Schmeichel, Marc Albrighton, Ben Chilwell and Danny Simpson all put pen-to-paper on improved terms.
NEW SQUAD DEPTH
LEICESTER suffered a huge blow when key midfielder N’Golo Kante packed his bags and left for Chelsea.
But the Foxes were busy at work in the transfer window to ease the pain, breaking their club record twice with Ahmed Musa and the deadline day signing of Islam Slimani.
There are also more options in midfield, meaning Leicester can field consistently strong teams in all fixtures.
THE TINKERMAN RETURNS
LEICESTER have made it clear they are a 4-4-2 team.
But Claudio Ranieri wasn’t called the Tinkerman for nothing during his time at Chelsea.
The Italian remains a sharp tactician and won’t let pride stand in the way of changing shape if his team is in dire need of a goal, with many European teams fielding one-striker systems.
TOO MUCH PREMIER LEAGUE COMPETITION
CLAUDIO RANIERI made it clear it was virtually impossible for Leicester to win the Premier League for a second consecutive season.
Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have spent big, while Liverpool and Tottenham have enough quality to mount serious challenges.
Leicester have already fallen behind in the race for the title, and could instead focus all their resources on making it big on the European scene.
UNDERDOGS HAVE DONE IT BEFORE
PORTO’S stunning win in 2004 still remains fresh in the memory.
Jose Mourinho’s side demolished Monaco in the final and clinched one of the competition’s most impressive wins despite a team of virtual unknowns.
Records are there to be broken, and Leicester know it would be an even greater upset if they accomplish the same feat on the first time of asking.
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