It’s been a tough return to the top flight for 2015-16 Premier League winners Leicester City. The Foxes have struggled to match up to the level of the other sides and currently languish in the relegation zone, with only 14 points collected from 20 games.
Safety is still possible as they are only three points behind Everton who occupy the 16th spot, but Ruud van Nistelrooy will know that his side have to show much-needed improvement at the earliest of opportunities if they’re to put some pressure on their relegation-threatened rivals.
We are joined by Alan Smith, former Arsenal and Leicester City striker, who shared his thoughts on what’s next for Leicester.
- Leicester’s Hopes of Staying Up
- The Transfer Window Dilemma
- Leicester’s PSR Conundrum
- Point Penalty a Death Blow for the Foxes
Leicester’s Hopes of Staying Up
As the Premier League season progresses, the battle for survival intensifies, with several clubs grappling to avoid the dreaded drop. The situation is particularly tense for Leicester City, who find themselves in a precarious position amidst a fiercely competitive relegation battle. The recent comments from the ex Foxes striker shed light on the challenges faced by clubs at the bottom of the table.
“Southampton I think are detached at the bottom and I don’t see much hope for them. Ipswich is touch and go. There are signs with Ipswich that they could stay up. Liam Delap up top. They’re very positive but have they got enough to stay up?”
Smith highlights the uncertainty surrounding Ipswich Town’s survival prospects, despite their positive approach and the presence of promising talent like Liam Delap. The question remains whether their optimism can translate into the necessary points to secure their Premier League status.
“Wolves have had an upturn with the new manager but they’re still down there. I think the three promoted clubs will go back down which isn’t a trend you want to see continue. It happened last season for the first in quite a while.”
The challenges faced by newly promoted teams, who often struggle to bridge the gap between the Championship and the Premier League. Wolves’ recent managerial change has sparked some improvement, yet their position remains perilous.
“It does suggest the gap between the Premier League and Championship is a bit too big right now. We’ll wait and see on that.”
The Transfer Window Dilemma
As the January transfer window unfolds, clubs embroiled in the relegation battle are keenly aware of the opportunity to bolster their squads. However, Leicester City finds itself in a challenging position, with their lack of activity in the market raising eyebrows among fans and pundits alike.
“I’m sure Leicester would love to add to it because they haven’t got a good enough squad right now but PSR sanctions hanging over them means there’s not much wiggle room.”
Leicester faces constraints due to financial regulations, which limit their ability to make significant acquisitions. The club’s desire to enhance their squad is evident, yet the looming PSR sanctions create a financial straitjacket, preventing them from making the necessary investments to improve their chances of survival.
“You’d be surprised if Leicester were involved in too much action this month.”
As the window progresses, Leicester’s management must navigate these financial constraints while seeking creative solutions to strengthen their squad. The outcome of this transfer period could play a pivotal role in determining their fate in the ongoing relegation battle.
Leicester’s PSR Conundrum
The looming threat of penalties for breaching PSR rules casts a shadow over Leicester City, raising questions about the fairness and implementation of these financial guidelines. The complexity of PSR often leaves fans and even some experts puzzled, as highlighted by recent comments on the matter.
“The PSR regulation will be quite complicated to the average fan. I don’t understand the nuts and bolts either. But I will say Chelsea had to sell hotels and the women’s team to the parent company to generate funds.
“I understand the principle of PSR and you don’t want clubs going bust but it does hinder ambition of the clubs that can afford to spend like Newcastle for example. They thought they were going to compete with their Saudi Owners in charge but they’ve had their hands tied.”
The intent behind PSR is clear: to prevent financial mismanagement and ensure club sustainability. However, it can also stifle the ambitions of clubs with newfound financial backing, such as Newcastle, who find their growth potential restricted despite having the resources to invest.
“The rules could be tweaked to not stifle ambitions it’s holding clubs back. I don’t want to see Leicester get any points deducted. They’ve already escaped sanction at the start of the season. It would be punishing if they did.”
Smith calls for a reevaluation of PSR to balance financial prudence with the aspirations of clubs. The fear of punitive measures, such as point deductions, looms large for Leicester, who have already navigated close calls earlier in the season.
Point Penalty a Death Blow for the Foxes
As Leicester City fights to avoid relegation, the spectre of a points penalty looms large, threatening to derail their efforts. The potential impact of such a sanction is a topic of intense debate, with opinions divided on whether the club can recover if points are deducted.
“It depends on the number of points that get deducted. Right now they’re two points from Wolves so they’re not detached from the relegation zone.”
This perspective highlights the precarious nature of Leicester’s current standing. While they remain within striking distance of safety, any points deduction could significantly alter the dynamics of their survival battle.
“A points deduction now would be too much for them. As things stand they’re struggling. They’re struggling to score goals.”
The club’s current struggles, particularly in front of goal, exacerbate the potential damage of a points penalty. With their offensive woes already a concern, losing points could prove insurmountable in their quest to stay up.
“I will say van Nistelrooy has got a hell of a job to do to keep my old team up which is a shame.”
Leicester are set to return to action on Wednesday evening, as they host Crystal Palace, where they’ll be looking to end their six-game winless run in the Premier League. The Foxes are priced at 29/10 on bet365 to beat Crystal Palace, which could be a tempting bet for some punters, especially after Leicester won 6-2 against QPR in the FA Cup last time out, which will build some confidence.
