On Sunday, Leicester hammered struggling Newcastle 5-0 at the King Power Stadium. A first-half dismissal of visiting midfielder Isaac Hayden no doubt helped the Foxes, but in truth Brendan Rodgers team were always likely to come out on top.
The team from the Midlands look like they now have the quality and the belief that they can finish in the Premier League’s top-six.
A good balance in the team
Leicester look to have a good balance between youth and experience in their team at the minute. The promising younger players like Ben Chilwell, Wilfred Ndidi, James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Youri Tielemans and Caglar Soyuncu have impressed.
Meanwhile, in defence experienced Kasper Schmeichel marshals the defence, while Jonny Evans provides the vast know-how in the centre of defence. Then, of course, there is the irrepressible Jamie Vardy in attack. The 32-year-old scored a brace against the Magpies, which takes his top-flight goal tally for the season to five goals.
Every part of the team looks to be sync and in head coach Brendan Rodgers they seem to have the perfect boss to get the best out of a talented squad. Earlier in his career, the Northern Irishman worked as a youth coach, so he is accustomed to working with younger players.
Leicester already pulled off big results
The usual top-six has had a monopoly on the positions in various order in recent seasons. This season looks to be the best chance a team outside of the usual top-six has to break the monopoly.
The Foxes gate-crashed the top-six to win the Premier League title in season 2015/16. From some of their performances this season so far, they are the best-placed team to upset the status quo in the Premier League.
A 1-1 draw at Chelsea and a 2-1 victory over Tottenham has shown they the Foxes can compete with the so-called ‘big six’ this season. Rodgers side could have easily won at Stamford Bridge. A draw at Chelsea was still an encouraging result, though.
The win over Tottenham showed that the Foxes have a ruthless side to them. This ruthless side will be crucial if they are to mount a top-six challenge.
Can they stay the distance?
Leicester look to have the starting line-up to clinch a top-six spot, even if they are still slight outsiders with the bookmakers to do so. Many teams have threatened to break into the top-six in recent years. Leicester are the only unfamiliar team to achieve the feat. The Foxes are showing signs that they can stay the distance.
One of their biggest problems in attempting to achieve their goal this season is maybe a lack of depth. If the Foxes lose a Jonny Evans or Jamie Vardy, then will struggle to replace them. Every team has problems replacing their star players. However, the more high-profile teams have good strength-in-depth.
If the Foxes can avoid any big injuries this season, then they certainly have the potential to clinch one of those much-coveted top-six spots. Who knows if they continue their current form, they could even challenge for a top-four spot with many of the teams around them floundering.
Can Leicester mount a realistic top-six challenge this season?
