I expect Manchester United to beat Leicester City at Old Trafford today. But in this incredible, crazy season, what worthy winners they will be if they go there and get the final victory they need to win the Premier League at one of the greatest stadiums in world football, against a big club with something to play for.
Claudio Ranieri’s team are guaranteed a place in next season’s Champions League and will surprise a few teams in that competition, but they will need a bigger squad. Part of the reason for the big clubs not performing in the Premier League is they have had their eye taken off the ball by European football. That is something Leicester have to be aware of. As exciting as it is to be playing in the Champions League, it will impact on their Premier League season next year.
Their direct, in-your-face approach will catch out teams, just as it has in the Premier League, although the better teams see danger earlier and will work out what Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez are about.
We saw on Tuesday night how good Real Madrid were against the likes of Sergio Aguero and Kevin de Bruyne. They went to Manchester City and did a job. They worked their socks off, which has not always been the case with Real Madrid. They went back to basics and got goal-side when they lost the ball.
The basic principle of defending is that when you lose the ball, you sprint back as quickly as you have sprinted forward. I don’t care how much ability you have, let me see you being a team player. Real Madrid did that. It is as if they are respecting what Zinedine Zidane, one of the greatest players who has kicked a ball, is telling them.
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Atletico Madrid are another example for Leicester to aspire to next season in Europe. They work harder than anybody else. They have great players, but they all work so hard. They typify what you need. If Leicester show the same work ethic they have in the Premier League this season, they will make an impression in Europe. They have a chance of getting through the group, but it will depend on their draw.
Reaching the Champions League might help Leicester keep their best players and give them more money. Players want the going rate and I would imagine there will be a few knocking on the door, saying: “The Champions League means more money for the club and that means more money in my contract.”
Any agent worth his salt will be making that point. When the players signed their contracts last year, having just survived by the skin of their teeth, how many thought of clauses in their contracts to cover the Champions League?
Leicester have the third lowest rate of ball possession in the league — only Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion have had less — but they have torn up the coaching manual that says if you keep the ball, the opposition can’t hurt you. They give it away for fun, get it back for fun and are going to win the Premier League with that style. They would be crazy to move away from what has worked for them next season, at home or abroad.
They have a simple way of playing and people must have thought they could work it out, but they haven’t. Vardy runs in behind, Mahrez jinks in, on to his left foot, so keep him on the outside, yet teams have allowed him to come inside and whip balls into their box to create and score goals.
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Leicester are workaholics in midfield, so match that: but teams haven’t. They will do the same things next year. If they suddenly become a tippy-tappy side, they will struggle. Everyone suspected they would run out of steam this year, but they have not. They have confounded people with that, me included.
Ranieri will look to sign similar types this summer. He will know what areas need strengthening. The demands are going to be greater and as a player you want better players coming in. You have to make sure you get the right characters in. Where problems arise with a bigger squad is keeping the ones who are not playing happy. The only way you can do that is by winning games. If you’re not, they all think they should be in the team.
Leicester have one and a half hands on the Premier League trophy now, but might have to wait a little longer for it. United still have a Champions League place to play for and Louis van Gaal has a better chance of keeping his job if he gets it, than if he just wins the FA Cup.
DAD ALWAYS KNOWS BEST
I’ve worked with Peter Schmeichel on television this season and over a month ago he was convinced Leicester were going to win the league. I thought that was perhaps a father being extremely confident because his son, Kasper, is Leicester’s goalkeeper, but he’s turned out to be right. He’s not biased when he’s watching them, he’s an old pro and sensible about it. He knew things could go wrong, but he was convinced they were going to win it