Leicester City might have started the season as Champions but their domestic performances this season have been far from what you would expect from title holders. The Foxes have lost six of their opening 13 games in the league and have won on only three occasions.
Currently languishing in 13th position, Claudio Ranieri's side are only a couple of points above the drop zone. Leicester are desperately close to slipping into a dreaded relegation battle if they do not improve their displays.
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While not many would have predicted the Foxes to retain their title, few would have imagined them struggling in the lower half of the table. Last season saw Chelsea struggle as Champions as well and the Blues went on to have one of their worst seasons in the last 20 years. Leicester will want to ensure that this trend does not carry on but they will have to get back to their very best soon.
With many wondering what has gone wrong for the Champions, here are our five reasons why Leicester have been underperforming this season:
#1 Stars haven’t turned up
Leicester City’s championship-winning season was credited to some of the team’s stand-out performers throughout the campaign. Jamie Vardy, Wes Morgan, Robert Huth and Danny Drinkwater were an integral part of Ranieri's squad last season and while all are still a vital part of the team, none have really shined this season.
Vardy scored a very impressive 24 goals last season, including netting in a record breaking 11 consecutive appearances but the England international has only managed two so far. Morgan and Huth, who were so important in the Foxes’ backline last time have been a shadow of themselves so far. They conceded only 36 goals last term but have already let in 22 this season.
Drinkwater is another player who has been below par after a series of mundane performances from one of last season’s best performers in the league. Riyad Mahrez has three goals and two assists to his name and is one of the very few players on a decent run of form.
The Leicester stars must buckle up and soon if they are to establish a good run and at least claim a top-half finish.
#2 Champions League exploits
Most of the English teams participating in European competitions this season have shown signs of vulnerability as fatigue begins to play a part. To be fair to Leicester, their performance in the Champions league has been excellent, although it has come at a price. Ranieri has chosen to focus more on Europe after opting to rest some of his players when there is a European fixture in midweek.
One of the main features of the Foxes’ title winning season was their lack of squad rotation that brought about consistency in their performances. Champions League football was bound to see the team rotated but it looks to be costing them dearly.
As Leicester have already qualified from their group, Ranieri might look to put out a more consistent team in the next few weeks, with the hope that his team can climb higher up the table.
#3 N’Golo Kante’s transfer
N’Golo Kante’s transfer to Chelsea at the start of the season has had a tremendous effect on the Leicester midfield. Andy King, Daniel Amartey and Nampalys Mendy have been filling in for the Frenchman but none have not lived up to his talent.
Kante was instrumental in Leicester’s counter-attacking play, operating just in front of the back four. His ability to break-up play and make vital interceptions was second to none in the league last season. He is also proving his worth at Chelsea after already establishing a first-team spot under Antonio Conte.
While Leicester did manage to keep hold of key players like Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, Kante’s presence in midfield is surely missed. Danny Drinkwater formed an excellent partnership with the 25-year-old last season and even his form and style of play has been affected.
Ultimately, it looks like the Foxes made a mistake by selling the French midfield engine.
#4 Cracks in the defence
Leicester’s defence has been well below par this season when compared to last time around. While the backline has remained the same, the same cannot be said about their form. Wes Morgan and Robert Huth were impenetrable at times in the last campaign but the duo have struggled to find consistent performances so far. Danny Simpson and Christian Fuchs have also been disappointing from a defensive perspective.
Kasper Schmeichel played every minute of the title-winning season but has already missed five league game so far. The Danish stopper’s absence has done nothing to help the Leicester defenders, with Ron-Robert Zieler not doing the best of jobs deputising for him.
The Foxes must get their defensive stability back if they are to avoid a potential relegation battle.
#5 Transfer activity
Leicester have not been shy in dipping into their winnings from last season, to help strengthen their squad. With Champions League football requiring teams to operate with a much larger squad, Ranieri signed seven first-team players after splashing around £60 Million in the process. But there still remains a question as to whether the Foxes have spent their cash wisely.
Islam Slimani has been their most high profile signing and the Algerian has delivered on more than a few occasions this season. But the likes of Mendy and Ahmed Musa have still to repay the club’s faith in them.
Mendy has missed a majority of the season through injury, while Musa has struggled to adapt to the Premier League. Bartosz Kapustka was another player to arrive at The King Power with a reputation but the young Polish international is yet to make his Premier League debut.
Although Leicester did not hold back in the transfer window, it remains to be seen if they brought in the right targets. Ranieri might be forced to add a few more names in the January transfer window but he must be wary and sign the right players rather than just add names to the squad.
