Leicester City news as the Foxes prepare for a season of fight, fortune and moments of magic to keep them in the Premier League
After the thrill of two late additions at the end of the summer transfer window, Leicester City have earned their biggest win of the 2024/25 season by avoiding a points deduction.
It shouldn’t be understated how huge the Foxes’ legal victory over the Premier League could be. City avoided a points deduction despite being relegated with the seventh biggest wage bill in the 2022/23 season, suffering a £89.7million loss in 2023, going around £24.4m over the threshold allowed and being charged with a breach of the league’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) in March.
The basis of Leicester’s argument was that, by the Premier League’s own definition, they were not a member of the league when the alleged breach occurred. Let’s get it right, City have avoided a financial sanction due to a technicality, but despite that, it lifts a heap of pressure off the club and Steve Cooper.
So, what’s next for Leicester? In simple terms, the season goal remains the same of keeping the club in the Premier League. Only now, there is less of a threat of being deducted points at some point of the season meaning they’re at a level playing field with their rivals for the remaining 35 games.
After the opening three fixtures, City are 15th in the Premier League table on one point. Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town and Wolves are below them, level on points, due to their slightly worse goal difference. Southampton and Everton sit 19th and 20th on zero points.
The fight for survival over the last few seasons in the top flight has often played out with around six teams competing in their own mini-league. Last season, Everton and Brentford finished above the bottom three by some distance while Nottingham Forest were battling with Luton Town until the end.
Forest, who have faced Bournemouth, Southampton and Wolves in their opening three games, are expected to be dragged into the relegation mini-league with fixtures against Liverpool, Brighton, Chelsea and Leicester before November.
After losing Ivan Toney to Saudi Arabia, Brentford are another team facing a difficult season. Thomas Frank’s side have won two of their opening three games and have kept hold of Yoane Wissa, but you get the feeling they could be in trouble.
The outcome of the saga with the Premier League in court has left an enormous target on Leicester’s back. Both Everton and Forest suffered points deductions last season and their fans feel more than hard done by. It isn’t Leicester’s fault they were able to find a loophole in the Premier League’s rulebook – they won’t be the only club looking to thrive in legal grey areas.
What will be Leicester’s fault is if they are unsuccessful in the mini-league they find themselves in. Coming out on top against the six other teams expected to be at the bottom of the Premier League will see City continue in the top flight.
The objective and parameters are now clear for all to see. Cooper has won the support of a number of supporters for his side’s efforts in the last three weeks but the Crystal Palace and Everton double header coming up is big. Over to you, Leicester.
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