#3 Leicester City
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2016 Premier League champions Leicester City began their title defence in the exact opposite manner and flirted with relegation at one point. However, the inevitable departure of manager Claudio Ranieri brought about a change in fortunes.
The team picked up form and points under caretaker-manager Craig Shakespeare and ended the season on a high. The improved performances fetched Shakespeare a full-time contract and Leicester enter the new season with an optimistic outlook.
2016 Player of the Year Riyadh Mahrez looks to be the only high-profile casualty with Arsenal and Italian side AS Roma interested in him. Wilfred Ndidi’s form in the back-end of the season looks to have plugged N’Golo Kante-sized hole in the middle of the park.
Most of the spine remains same as the one that won the title. Further, the addition of promising centre-back Harry Maguire from Hull and defensive midfielder Vicente Iborra from Sevilla adds quality depth.
Also, clinical finisher Kelechi Iheanacho from Manchester City looks set to join the Foxes as well. His ability to play across the front three along with his sharpshooting ability will compliment Jamie Vardy. Young winger Demarai Gray and young left-back Ben Chilwell had a great summer with England and will bolster the squad.
Thus, Leicester are all set to have a good season. If they can continue the form towards the end of last season, then they definitely have the players, experience and ability to have a crack at the top six.
