With the current pandemic causing widespread disruption and fear in the United Kingdom, the fortunes of a football team might not seem all that important in the grand scheme of things.
However, the Premier League is a big-money industry and currently, our own Leicester City is third and well-placed for Champions League qualification for the second time in their history. That could be set to change as the FA and the Premier League begin to explore possible ways of bringing the current season to a close.
The Foxes have been impressive this campaign, with a five-point gap over fourth-placed Chelsea and big hitters such as Manchester United, Arsenal and Spurs all below them in the table. The steady evolution under Brendan Rodgers has seen them dispel the theory that their surprise 2016 title win was a one-off. That positivity has now been offset by the Covid-19 crisis, with the Leicester Mercury reporting the PFA to want to meet with the Premier League to discuss the ongoing impact to clubs like the Foxes.
Prior to the pandemic, Rodgers has proven himself to be a manager who thinks ahead, always looking at the long game. Whilst Jamie Vardy is an obvious figurehead for his side, he’s steadily evolving the squad. Leicester’s summer signing James Justin has spent the most time on the bench this season, but according to Bwin Sports, is set to make the step up next season. Last season, Caglar Soyuncu may have spent most of his time on the bench, but he’s certainly stepped up this season.
Drip-feeding new talent into the side, pairing them with proven stars, has paved the way for a possible foray into Europe, but will that now be the case for Leicester, or are they going to be let down by a possible void season?
Football Addict explains how the current intention is to complete the season, with matches played into the summer if the need arises. All football is cancelled until April 30 at the very earliest, but with Euro 2020 being moved, Leicester could be afforded the chance to play their final nine games, including the potential Champions League decider on the final day against Manchester United.
Voiding the season seems unlikely, but it is an option available should the pandemic continue. That might see the Foxes miss out on the Champions League, with competitions merely restarting with the same line-up as last season. It is inconceivable for football to return before June, meaning a decision might have to be made on how to decide final places.
Awarding Champions league spots based on points per game is another option, one which would favour Leicester. With few teams having games in hand, such an outcome would guarantee them a Champions League spot and a chance to better their quarter-final finish in the 2016/17 campaign.
Whatever happens, football isn’t the most important topic right now, but when life finally does get back to normal, big decisions will have to be made, with Leicester City’s future fortunes resting heavily on the choices made by the FA and the Premier League.