5 key factors in the Premier League Top 4 race

#3 Brendan’s bravery

Brendan Rodgers has restored belief into Leicester City

Claiming the Premier League title with Liverpool may have eluded him, but Brendan Rodgers is on the verge of delivering Leicester City’s return to the Champions League. His team showed all of their attacking attributes in the 4-0 win over Aston Villa on Monday evening, and the confidence that Rodgers has instilled in his side in contrast to his predecessors at the King Power Stadium is testament to his man-management style.

As a manager, Rodgers has never been an advocate of playing conservative football, even when it appears that the odds are stacked against his teams. Although Leicester City were surprisingly crowned Premier League champions in 2016, they have struggled to shake-off the inferiority complex that has been allowed to develop within the squad since that time. Rodgers has brought back confidence to the team that has seen them push boundaries in the Premier League this season, and the prize of Champions League qualification edges ever closer.

Leicester City shocked the football world by lifting the Premier League trophy in 2016

And just like the Premier League glory of 2016, an important figure for Leicester City this season has been striker Jamie Vardy. Few other forwards at the very highest-level have an appreciation for the status that comes with his career, having begun in the non-league pyramid system. Some observers may have thought that his powers were on the decline when he announced his international retirement, but the additional rest from the occasional international break has served only to lengthen his time at the very top.

Having a second shot at the Champions League will be a source of inspiration for Vardy, and will make up for the disappointment of the season that followed their title victory. Former manager Claudio Ranieri failed to make it through another campaign, and the devastation that followed the death of club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha has made life difficult for everyone who celebrated success with him just a few years ago. Following a difficult couple of seasons, Leicester City appear to be back on the right track under Rodgers, and he will embrace the opportunity to compete in the Champions League as much as anyone.