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Leicester 2017/18 Premier League season review

Jamie Vardy celebrates after scoring for Leicester against West Brom

Read on for our review of their campaign, complete with the views of Soccer Saturday pundit Matt Le Tissier.

Finishing position: 9th (+3)
Total points: 47 (+3)
FA Cup: Quarter final
Carabao Cup: Quarter final
Top scorer: Jamie Vardy (20)

The 2015/16 champions got back into the top half of the table but only after a sluggish start to the season that cost Craig Shakespeare his job. Claude Puel took the team up the league and to two cup quarter-finals too but not everyone was impressed by his efforts.

It was a season of what might have been for some Foxes supporters - from the cup runs coming to nothing to the Adrien Silva transfer coming too late in the August window to allow him to play before January. But at least the threat of relegation was averted - Leicester were in the bottom three when Shakespeare was sacked in October.

Individually, Harry Maguire impressed and Jamie Vardy, with 20 goals, maintained his own high standards. Riyad Mahrez showed flashes of his brilliance but his season was overshadowed by a proposed transfer to Manchester City in January that did not come off.

Leicester City's Algerian midfielder Riyad Mahrez reacts as he is substituted during the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Leicester City a
Image: Riyad Mahrez had his ups and downs for Leicester on and off the field

Best day of 2017/18

The recent 3-1 win over Arsenal, the only team they didn't take points off in their famous title win, was an important one for Puel and saw Mahrez score in the last minute of what could very well be his final game as a Leicester player at the King Power Stadium.

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Worst day of 2017/18

There was a lot of focus on the cups this season so Puel's decision to name Mahrez and Vardy among the substitutes for the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Manchester City was a source of frustration - especially when the tie was lost on penalties.

MATT LE TISSIER'S VERDICT

Managerial review

I think they've just done what they needed to do. It was a struggle to start with and Puel got them clear with a decent run but I don't think it has been great to watch. A few fans have been moaning about the way they play but perhaps victims of midtable syndrome as motivation has proved a factor at the end of the season.

Player of year

I think Harry Maguire would have to get it. I think he got the fans' award and he's given himself a decent chance of starting for England at the World Cup. Jamie Vardy would also be up there with a goal every other game.

2018/19 prospects

It's a tough one to call as a lot will depend of who will stay and who they'll sign. A lot of their recruits since winning the title have struggled to settle and building a really solid defence again is key to them getting back to overachieving rather than just settling for mid-table again.

Sky Bet odds for relegation in 2018/19: 14/1

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