What has happened to Leicester City?
The Foxes looked like a dead cert to finish in the top four all season long, but they have absolutely fallen recently, winning only two of their last eight league games. They have been in the top four since the sixth game of the season, but today's loss to Spurs means they now look like outsiders to nab a Champions League place.
They are one point behind Chelsea and level with Manchester United having played a game more than both of them.
While not all that many people would have predicted that Leicester would be a Champions League team before the start of the season, missing out now would surely have to be seen as a massive failure?
Not according to Brendan Rodgers. Speaking to Sky Sports after the Spurs loss, he said that Champions League football would be a bonus after Leicester already achieved their goal of qualifying for the Europa League.
🗣 "We've achieved our goals by having European football, for some it will be disappointing but for others they'll be gratified by what the players have given this season"
Brendan Rodgers on whether Leicester City's season will be a success without top 4 pic.twitter.com/cmRCq3DnnP— Football Daily (@footballdaily) July 19, 2020
I think that the season is judged over 38 games. I think people were looking at it after 20 or 25 games and saying we were certs.
The players have been outstanding. They've at worst gone to what would be par for them in some of their performances, but we've also played really well. We've been unfortunate with one or two injuries as well.
For me we have achieved the goals we originally set out to achieve by having European football, and we have a game to have a shot at the Champions League.
For some that will be a disappointment. But for others, they will be gratified by what the players have given them this season.
We've got one more game to go, we will give it absolutely everything we've got and see where it takes us.
A man that is known for hyperbole, we reckon Rodgers is masking his true feelings here.
Anything less than a top four finish would be unacceptable after the position his team found themselves in three-quarters the way through the season.
