Ah yes. Another one of those combined starting XIs. Always so fun to make and always so fun to rile up some football fans.
Today we are comparing two different Leicester teams. The legendary Foxes side who shocked the world and won the Premier League during the 2015/16 season, and the Foxes side who are soon-to-be legends as they propel themselves to another famous league title.
No? No chance you say. Well yes, you’re probably right. Moving on.
Many people believe that this Leicester side have far more all-round quality than the one four seasons ago, and that team won the league due to one or two world-class players and an incredible team work ethic. It’s hard to disagree with that; today’s side would probably have won the league back then too, especially because the quality of the Premier League was at an all time low.
However, there’s only one way to find out for sure. COMBINED XI TIME!
Goalkeepers & Defenders
Kasper Schmeichel (GK) – Um, well, there’s not much choice here really.
Ricardo Pereira (RB) – Danny Simpson was never really a candidate. He was merely an okay defender, with his best career performance being a Twitter feud with Jamie Carragher. Pereira is miles ahead of him in terms of quality, and is arguably the best right-back in the Premier League right now.
Wes Morgan (CB) – Let’s get this straight, Jonny Evans is a better defender than Morgan. But if we are basing it off that famous season, then the big centre-back has to get in. I’m not sure what happened to him during the 2015/16 campaign, but it was like witnessing Alessandro Nesta and Paulo Cannavaro rolled into one. He was an absolute beast and deserves a spot in this team.
Caglar Soyuncu (CB) – After losing Harry Maguire, Brendan Rodgers was confident that the Turk could step up. Boy, was he right. Soyuncu has been utterly magnificent, and he has been a huge reason for their formidable defensive record. Undoubtedly the best centre-back in the Premier League so far this season.
Ben Chilwell (LB) – This is actually a pretty close one. Christian Fuchs was brilliant that season, and bombed up and down the left flank like a machine. However, Chilwell just about edges it, due to his added defensive solidity and improved ability in the final third this campaign.
Midfielders
Wilfred Ndidi (CDM) – Look, Danny Drinkwater was a decent player but he gets nowhere near Ndidi. He is a colossus of a midfielder, and his role is so important for all the offensive players around him. If you ask the Leicester team, they will probably all agree that Ndidi is the most valuable player in the side. Top player.
N’Golo Kanté (CM) – No doubts about this one. Kanté is a footballing freak, and his performances during the title-winning season was something to behold. All of a sudden I’m drooling at the thought of Ndidi and Kanté playing in midfield together.
Youri Tielemans (CM) – Leicester are truly lucky to have the Belgian. Tielemans is just 22-years-old, and has the potential to be something special. Not just someone who loves to score and assist, Tielemans is a hard-worker and offers a lot defensively too. Special talent.
Forwards
Riyad Mahrez (RW) – A superstar of a footballer. Mahrez is one of the best wingers in the Premier League, and it is criminal that Pep Guardiola hasn’t used him more. On his day, the Algerian is completely unplayable. What Rodgers would give to have Mahrez in his side ahead of Ayoze Perez.
Jamie Vardy (ST) – Well, it was either Vardy or Shinji Okazaki, and although Okazaki was a decent, hard-working player, Vardy is on a different level to him. He scored 24 goals in the Premier League four seasons ago, and has already bagged 12 this season. Ageing like Skittles Vod… sorry, I mean fine wine.
James Maddison (LW) – Despite playing often in the number ten role, Maddison has also played on the left wing at times for the Foxes. So it’s not necessarily cheating to put him here in this team. Anyway, the Englishman has gone on leaps and bounds under the management of Rodgers, and his ability to create and carve teams open is pivotal to Leicester’s success. Everyone can see that he should be starting for England now. Well, apart from one man…
Let’