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5000 to 1. Those were the odds of Leicester City winning the Premier League.

No one in their right mind expected the team that narrowly escaped relegation from the Premier League the previous year to even make it up the league table, let alone win it all.

But this was 2016, and Leicester was about to kick off what we now know as the “Year of the Underdog”.

No superstars, no oil money—this is the story of how Leicester City pulled off the greatest miracle in English football.

How Leicester City beat the Odds

Leicester City Football Club is one of the Premier League’s yo-yo teams, having participated in approximately half of the seasons in the English top flight since its inception in 1992.

As a yo-yo club, Leicester City often features in the Championship or lower divisions as much as they do in the Premier League.

After gaining promotion to the Premier League at the start of the 2014/2015 season, Leicester miraculously avoided relegation, finishing fourteenth and amassing 41 points, one point above the 40 points quota for teams aiming to avoid relegation.

Going into the next season, no one was shocked to see that bookies gave Leicester City 5000/1 odds to win the Premier League in 2015/2016. In the land of the Big Six and solid mid-table teams, little old Leicester City stood no chance. 

The season began, and things started to take shape. Leicester City found themselves in fifth with a positive goal difference of +3 after ten match days played. 

The fall-off was expected to come any day now.

But the Foxes kept marching up the table. 

Halfway through the season, around early January 2016, Leicester City were second in the league, two points off leaders Arsenal.

At this point, fans realized this was more than just “an elephant on a branch” — Leicester City was in the title race. With just two losses at this stage of the competition, they played as if they belonged in that position.

Hollywood took notice too.

Legends like Tom Hanks chimed in on the Leicester Cinderella Story. You know things are serious when the Americans are discussing “Leicester” on national television.

Even Gary Lineker vowed to present Match of the Day in his underpants if Leicester were ever able to pull off the miracle.

So we waited and hoped.

Ranieri’s Genius to the Rescue

Claudio Ranieri, a manager who was widely mocked at the time of his appointment, oversaw this brilliance.

A blend of compact defense, rapid transitions, and direct play meant that Leicester possessed the ammunition required to see out any form of opposition. 

Low possession and high efficiency at both ends also elevated their game, ensuring that the team had the tactical intelligence needed to go all the way.

After 30 games, Leicester were in pole position, five points clear of second-placed Arsenal. They were in complete control of their fate—just a few more games to achieve the unthinkable. 

Key results, such as the 3–1 home win over Manchester City and the 1–0 victory away to Tottenham, drew them closer to dreamland.

With two games to spare, Leicester City drew 1–1 with Manchester United at Old Trafford. The world waited for Tottenham to play Chelsea at the iconic Battle of the Bridge.

In typical Spursy fashion, Chelsea came back from two goals down to equalize against Tottenham in a feisty encounter. 

At the end of the game, the Sky cameras cut to Jamie Vardy’s room. He, along with the rest of the Leicester City squad, was having a party.

Cinderella finally got her shoe. The whole world celebrated, bar a few blocks in North London.

This improbable success was Leicester’s first top-flight title in the club’s 132-year history. They beat the odds to write one of the greatest underdog stories in football.

Some of the players within the squad stayed at the club to play more seasons, while some went on to ply their trade elsewhere. A significant number of those who left the club went on to become greater players, while others faded into obscurity.

Jamie Vardy

Jamie Vardy came to Leicester City from Fleetwood Town in 2012 at the age of 25. This £1 million transfer made him the most expensive non–league player at the time. 

A typical “fox in the box” striker, Vardy possessed the pace, finishing, and positioning necessary for a striker to excel at the top level.

With twenty-four goals and six assists to his name, he was their primary threat in front of goal and finished the season with the most goal contributions.

During this campaign, Vardy set the Premier League record for scoring in 11 consecutive games. 

The streak began on August 29, 2015, and concluded with a goal against Manchester United on November 28, 2015, breaking Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s previous record of 10 consecutive games.

Aside from his streak, Vardy scored a significant number of goals that contradicted the expected goal philosophy.

Volleys from outside the box, shots from tight angles, and tap-ins were all part of his highlight reel. He fell a goal shy of winning the Golden Boot that season.

Vardy finished eighth in the Ballon d’Or rankings in 2016, courtesy of his outstanding displays during the title-winning season.

After the 2015/2016 season, he remained with Leicester City and continued to be their marksman.

In 2021, Vardy won the FA Cup in 2020/2021 and the FA Community Shield.

He also won several prestigious individual awards, including the Premier League Golden Boot in 2019/2020 with 23 goals, making him the oldest player (33) to win the award. He joined the Premier League’s 100 Club in 2021 after scoring his 100th PL goal.

With Vardy’s departure from the club in June 2025, he is leaving as a certified Leicester City Legend.

Riyad Mahrez

Riyad Mahrez played a starring role in Leicester City’s success during the 2015/2016 season. Operating from the right flank and possessing an impeccable first touch, he has the flair and finesse of a world-class winger.

The Algerian joined Leicester from French side Le Havre in 2014 for just €500,000. Yet another low-budget signing, he came to England to make a name for himself.

Leicester City signed Mahrez to help cement their newly acquired Premier League status. After a fairly impressive debut season, Mahrez switched it up the following season.

His 17 goals and 11 assists during Leicester’s title-winning season made him the only player to amass double digits in goals and assists during that campaign.

Mahrez won the PFA Player of the Year award and finished seventh in the Ballon d’Or rankings in 2016, ahead of his Leicester teammate Vardy.

He also won the CAF Player of the Year in January 2017 for his outstanding performances during the 2016 calendar year.

Riyad Mahrez departed the King Power Stadium for Manchester City in 2018. During his time at the Etihad, he won thirteen titles, including a UEFA Champions League in 2022/2023 and five Premier League titles.

After seven trophy-laden years with Manchester City, Mahrez joined the train of European footballers venturing East to Saudi Arabia.

Currently at Al-Ahli and 34 years old, he continues to shine and dominate the highlight reels, just as he has done during his time in Europe.

N’Golo Kanté

N’Golo Kanté joined Leicester from French team Caen for €9 million at the age of 24.

Still unknown to many football fans at the time of his signing, he arrived in the Premier League as the replacement for Esteban Cambiasso.

If you tuned in to watch a game involving The Foxes, you could not help but notice the Frenchman running and covering ground in the middle of the park.

His superior work rate birthed the meme that “75% of the earth is covered by water, the rest is covered by N’golo Kante”.

70% of the earth is covered by water, the rest by N'Golo Kanté 🥳 pic.twitter.com/8tc4a6c2Qm

— Chelsea FC USA (@ChelseaFCinUSA) March 29, 2024

Immediately, Kanté’s presence in the midfield was visible. He provided coverage for the defensive unit, making crucial tackles and interceptions.

In the thirty-seven games he played, Kanté led the league in both tackles (175) and total interceptions (157). 

Kanté scored one goal and assisted four goals. His performance during the title-winning campaign earned him a spot in the PFA Team of the Year.

He spent one season at Leicester before signing for London giants Chelsea. At Chelsea, he won a league title and the  UEFA Champions League.

He elevated his game during his time in London, notably winning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, the FWA Footballer of the Year award, and the Premier League Player of the Season award. 

In 2018, N’golo Kanté was part of the French squad that won the World Cup.

After seven years at Stamford Bridge, Kanté joined Al–Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League. Still 34, N’golo Kanté still plays at a decent level. 

Wes Morgan

Wes Morgan was the captain of the team when they won the title in 2015/2016. He had been with Leicester since 2012, after signing from Nottingham Forest during the Winter transfer window.

The Jamaican defender was one of the most experienced players in the squad, although he’d spent most of his career in the Championship.

A change of level and intensity after arriving in the Premier League did not faze Morgan. He marshaled the defensive unit and exceptionally captained the team.

In their title-winning campaign, he was the only outfield player to play every single minute of the entire Premier League season. In Premier League history, excluding Morgan, only three outfield players have played every single minute of a title-winning campaign.

Wes Morgan was physical and dominant defensively, winning a high percentage of his duels and tackles and ensuring his team conceded few goals.

Morgan also delivered crucial goals, scoring at home against Southampton in a 1–0 win that sent Leicester seven points clear at the top of the table and against Manchester United away in a 1–1 draw.

He delivered a performance worthy of a captain during that campaign, and the Premier League PFA rewarded him with a Team of the Year selection.

He remained with Leicester after the season, with his form diminishing towards the latter end of his time at the club. Ironically, fitness issues and availability concerns plagued his time at the King Power Stadium, limiting his play time and affecting his form.

Morgan announced his retirement at the end of the 2020/2021 season, with his final professional appearance being as a substitute in Leicester City’s FA Cup final win in 2021.

Kasper Schmeichel

Kasper Schmeichel was the ever-present shot-stopper between the sticks for Leicester during their triumph in 2015/2016. He joined the club from Leeds at the start of the 2011/2012 season.

Son of Danish and Manchester United Legend Peter Schmeichel, Kasper Schmeichel had big shoes to fill and a high bar to match his father’s exploits.

He featured for The Foxes in the second division of English football before gaining promotion to the Premier League at the end of the 2013/2014 season.

His debut season in the league was impressive, but like most players within the squad, his breakthrough campaign arrived during the 2015/2016 season.

Schmeichel played every single minute of that season, registering fifteen clean sheets and finishing with a 73.9 save percentage. 

With this feat, he joined his father as one of five goalkeepers to feature in every single minute of a Premier League title-winning campaign.

Schmeichel continued to play for Leicester, winning the FA Cup and FA Community Shield in 2021. After spending over a decade at King Power, he joined the French outfit Nice for €1 million.

He spent a single season with OG Nice in France before signing with the Belgian club side Anderlecht as a free agent. The following season, he signed for  Celtic, where he continues to stand as the last line of defense.

Currently aged 38, Schmeichel is nearing the end of his admirable career, and regardless of when he decides to retire, he will be proud of his achievements.

Marc Albrighton

Marc Albrighton is an English winger who joined the club from Aston Villa as a free agent after The Foxes gained promotion to the Premier League in 2014.

Deployed on the left flank of the offense, Albrighton brought wing play and attacking impetus to Leicester’s frontline. He featured in just over half of the league’s games during his debut season, as he was finding his feet at the club and potentially adapting to the team’s style while also battling for a starting spot.

Under Claudio Ranieri, Albrighton cemented his place as a wide player in Leicester’s 4-4-2 system. His tireless work rate, defensive discipline, and crossing ability became indispensable.

He played every game of Leicester City’s incredible title-winning campaign, starting thirty-four games, scoring two goals, and providing six assists.

While his attacking output might not seem as high as those of some other attacking players, his impact went far beyond direct goal contributions.

Albrighton remained at the King Power after that historic season, becoming one of the longest-serving players during the club’s fourth stint in the Premier League.

He spent a decade at the club, with a six–month loan spell at West Bromwich Albion from January 31, 2023, to the end of the 2022/2023 season, marking the only time he spent away from the club.

At the age of 34, Marc Albrighton announced his retirement from professional football on August 29, 2024, after his contract with Leicester City ended.

Danny Drinkwater 

Drinkwater started his professional career at Manchester United. He joined their academy at the age of nine and progressed through their ranks.

Although Manchester United called Danny Drinkwater up to the first team, he never made a senior appearance for them. 

He gained his first-team professional experience during several loan spells with clubs such as Huddersfield Town, Cardiff City, Watford, and Barnsley before making a permanent move to Leicester City in 2012.

Although he did not feature much during his debut season at the club, he gained enough top-flight experience.

The following season, Claudio Ranieri partnered Drinkwater with N’Golo Kanté in central midfield and deployed him as the box-to-box midfielder.

After the 2015/2016 season, Drinkwater played one more season at Leicester before Chelsea came knocking. He signed for The Blues for £35 million on 1st September, 2017.

Although the transfer sparked a lot of debate, Chelsea signing a player of his qualities seemed a fair investment.

However, as his time at Chelsea began, it became clear that this was another big-money transfer that turned out to be a bad investment.

In his first season at Chelsea, Drinkwater played second fiddle to former Leicester teammate Kanté and Spanish Legend Cesc Fabregas.

The following season, Maurizio Sarri took over from Antonio Conte in July 2018. Drinkwater found himself largely out of favor under Sarri, and it soon became apparent to him and Chelsea fans that he needed to play elsewhere.

Loan spells at Burnley, Aston Villa, Kasimpasa, and Reading saw him join Chelsea’s infamous loan army. After a disappointing spell in recent years, he was without a club since his contract with Chelsea expired in June 2022.

Drinkwater announced his retirement from professional football on October 30, 2023, at the age of 33.

Robert Huth

Robert Huth started his professional career at Chelsea after joining the club’s youth system in 2001 from Union Berlin. He then made his professional debut for Chelsea’s senior team at 17 in 2002.

He went on to play four seasons for Chelsea before signing for Middlesbrough in 2006, where he spent three seasons.

At the start of the 2009/2010 season, Huth signed for Stoke City. Most of his senior appearances came during his time at Stoke.

After half a decade at the club, he joined Leicester on loan on February 2, 2015. He then made his move permanent in June 2015.

Huth played a few games during The Foxes’ first season since gaining promotion. The following season was when he made his mark entirely.

He was overwhelmingly paired more alongside Wes Morgan in central defense. They formed a formidable and almost unbreakable partnership, known for their physicality, aerial dominance, and no-nonsense defending.

They were the bedrock of that incredible team. Huth’s only absences during the league campaign were due to suspension. He also contributed offensively, scoring three goals during the title-winning season.

Robert Huth played at an impressive level the following season before injuries plagued him during the 2017/2018 season.

He missed the entire 2017/2018 season with a persistent ankle injury that required surgery. Despite undergoing the operation, he was unable to regain the full fitness needed to return to first-team action.

His contract with Leicester City expired in June 2018, and due to his long–term injury and limited appearances, the club opted not to offer him a new deal.

Huth then officially announced his retirement from professional football in January 2019.

Christian Fuchs

Christian Fuchs is an Austrian defender who played at left-back for Leicester during their title-winning campaign. He joined the club from Schalke 04 as a free agent at the start of the 2015/2016 season.

Fuchs began his career in Austria with his local youth teams at SVg Pitten before moving to Wiener Neustadter SC at the age of 11. He made his senior debut for Wiener Neustadter SC at the age of 15.

His performances there earned him his first professional contract with SV Mattersburg of the Austrian Bundesliga.

A move to German club VfL Bochum followed, and then a loan move to Mainz 05. Mainz made his move permanent before Schalke secured the rights to his services.

At Leicester, Fuchs established himself as one of the league’s most industrious left–backs. His attacking and defensive work rate was top-notch, contributing offensively to the team with four assists and ensuring the defense was rock–solid.

He featured in 32 games during the title-winning campaign, underscoring his importance to the team.

After that incredible season, Fuchs played five more seasons at the King Power Stadium before leaving as a free agent.

He then signed with US-based side Charlotte Independence and, a season later, joined another US-based side, Charlotte Football Club.

Fuchs retired from professional football on January 5, 2023.

Danny Simpson 

Danny Simpson is an English defender who played as a right-back during Leicester City’s title-winning season in 2015/2016. He joined the club from Queens Park Rangers in 2014.

Simpson started his youth career at Manchester United in 2003. He progressed through their academy and then made his professional debut during a loan spell at Royal Antwerp in 2006.

Still a Manchester United player, he went on several loan spells between 2006 and 2010 before joining Newcastle in 2010, having spent the previous season on loan with the Magpies.

After three seasons with Newcastle, he joined Queens Park Rangers in 2013. Following his move to Leicester, Simpson did not feature regularly in the league, having a similar fate to Albrighton during his debut season at the club.

The little playing time given to him was mainly due to his struggles to break into the side ahead of regular right-back Ritchie De Laet.

By the start of the following season, Simpson had established himself as the first-choice right-back. He brought defensive solidarity to the right flank for Leicester and contributed little offensively.

After the team’s incredible triumph during the 2015/2016 season, he remained at Leicester for three more seasons before leaving the club to join Huddersfield Town as a free agent.

After a period without a club, he joined Bristol City in 2021/2022. He briefly joined non–league side Macclesfield in December 2023 but did not make any appearances for them.

Simpson officially announced his retirement from professional football on July 26, 2024, at the age of 37. Since retiring, he has been involved in punditry and has also announced a move into boxing, with plans for his debut.

Shinji Okazaki

Shinji Okazaki is a Japanese forward who joined the club from Mainz 05 for €11 million at the start of the season.

Okazaki started his professional career in Japan with Shimizu S-Pulse. He signed full professional terms with them in 2005, following his graduation from Takigawa Daini High School.

Shinji Okazaki then joined VfB Stuttgart on January 30, 2011. He spent three seasons at Stuttgart before joining Mainz 05 for €1.5 million.

Okazaki performed brilliantly during his time at Mainz before Leicester saw him as a perfect player to bolster their attacking options.

In his first season at the club, Claudio Ranieri paired him with Vardy in a strike partnership within their 4-4-2 formation.

While Vardy was the main threat in front of goal, Okazaki did the “dirty work” upfront, drawing defenders and creating openings for others. He managed to score six goals and earn one assist.

He also made twenty-eight starts and eight substitute appearances, totaling thirty-six appearances in the league that season.

Okazaki spent four full seasons at the King Power Stadium, leaving the club as a free agent. He signed for Malaga in July 2019 after his contract with Leicester City expired.

However, his time at Malaga was very short. Malaga terminated his contract after just four weeks because they were unable to register him without breaching the Spanish league’s salary cap.

Immediately after leaving Malaga in September 2019, Okazaki signed for Huesca, another club in Spain’s Segunda Division, the second tier of Spanish Football.

After spending two years at Huesca, he joined another Spanish side, Cartagena. In 2022, he signed for Belgian outfit St. Truiden.

Okazaki retired from professional football on May 17, 2024. He announced his decision earlier in the year, citing that his body was “worn out” and had reached its “physical limit.”

Leonardo Ulloa

Leonardo Ulloa is an Argentine forward who featured mainly as a substitute during Leicester’s title-winning campaign in 2015/2016. He joined the club from Brighton in 2014.

Ulloa began his professional career in Argentina with Comisión de Actividades Infantiles (C.A.I.) in 2002.

He spent the initial stage of his career representing clubs in Argentina — San Lorenzo, Arsenal Sarandi, and Olimpo.

His first club based in Europe was with Spanish side CD Castellón in 2008. He then moved to Almeria, another Spanish club, in 2010.

Ulloa’s arrival in English football came in 2013 when Brighton secured his services. He played three seasons for The Seagulls before joining Leicester City after their promotion to the Premier League.

He played a massive role in maintaining their Premier League status and ensuring they participated in the top flight the following season.

The following season was not as fantastic as the previous season, as the arrival of Shinji Okazaki and a new manager, Claudio Ranieri, affected his playing time.

During the 2015/2016 season, Ulloa made seven starts and twenty-two substitute appearances, totaling twenty-nine Premier League matches that season.

While he was not a regular starter, his contributions from the bench, including crucial goals, were significant to Leicester’s success. He scored six goals and provided two assists during that campaign.

After the conclusion of the season, Ulloa played two more seasons for Leicester before returning to Brighton on loan at the start of the 2017/2018 season.

He then joined Mexican powerhouse Pachuca on loan in 2018 before joining Rayo Vallecano permanently in 2019.

Ulloa retired from professional football in 2021 after his spell with Rayo Vallecano in Spain.

Jeffrey Schlupp

Jeffrey Schlupp is a Ghanaian midfielder who played a bench role during Leicester’s league triumph in the 2015/2016 season. He started his youth career at Leicester City’s academy in 2005.

He then made his senior professional debut during a loan spell with Brentford in League One in 2011 before returning to Leicester City to make his senior debut for them later that year.

Schlupp continued to feature for The Foxes, with his best performance with the club coming during the 2014/2015 season, the club’s return to the top flight.

The following season, Schlupp did not feature as much as he did the previous season. He featured twenty-four times in the league in 2015/2016, with fourteen starts and ten substitute appearances.

Despite being a bench player, Schlupp provided commendable input in games and provided cover for the likes of Mahrez and Albrighton in the wide attacking positions.

With limited game time, he opted for a move away from the club, signing for Crystal Palace on January 13, 2017.

Schlupp remained at Selhurst Park, helping Crystal Palace maintain their top-flight status every season, with stars like Wilfried Zaha, Christian Benteke, and Ghanaian teammate Jordan Ayew in their ranks.

He spent the second half of the 2024/2025 season on loan to Celtic.

Still just 32, he can continue to display the qualities and performances that he has shown throughout his professional career.

Andy King

Andy King began his youth career at Chelsea from 1998 to 2004 before moving to Leicester City’s academy in 2004. He then began his senior career with Leicester in 2006.

Donning the No. 10 shirt for the club, King was a beloved member of the squad and a fan favorite.

Although he was not a starter during the 2015/2016 season, King was a dependable fill-in in the central midfield positions.

He made 25 appearances in the league that season, with nine starts and 16 appearances from the bench.

Claudio Ranieri often paired King with either Kanté or Drinkwater, or placed him in the attacking midfield position when there was a tactical tweak to the formation.

In 2018, his recurring loan moves started. He played for Swansea City before featuring for Derby County the following season. 

For the first half of the 2019/2020 season, he played for Scottish side Rangers before seeing out the rest of the season on loan to Huddersfield Town.

King officially left Leicester on June 30, 2020, when his contract expired. He joined the Belgian club Leuven on a season-long contract. After the contract expired, he joined Bristol City.

During his time at Leicester City, Andy King won the Premier League, the Championship, and League One.

King announced his retirement from professional football on May 3, 2024, and his retirement officially took effect on July 1, 2024. He is now working as an individual coach at Leicester City.

Demarai Gray

Demarai Gray is a Jamaican winger who joined the club from Birmingham City in January 2016, after Leicester activated his release clause, reportedly set at around £3.75 million.

Gray was considered one of the brightest young talents in English football at the time. He was an exciting winger with pace, dribbling ability, and a talent for creating chances, even at a young age in the Championship with Birmingham.

While Leicester were surprisingly leading the Premier League, they needed to strengthen their squad depth for the second half of the season, especially at the wide attacking positions.

Gray provided another option for Claudio Ranieri, offering pace and directness from the bench or in rotation with Riyad Mahrez and Marc Albrighton.

After the title-winning season, he remained at Leicester for three more seasons. In January 2021, Gray joined German side Bayer Leverkusen after falling out of favor under manager Brendan Rodgers.

In the summer of 2021, he returned to the Premier League, signing for Merseyside club Everton. He played two seasons with The Toffees, where he performed at a reasonable level and garnered transfer rumors.

Still just 27 years old at the time, Gray opted to join the bandwagon of Europe’s start transitioning to the Saudi Pro League. With the winger still yet to clock 30 years, he still has a lot to offer in the professional scene.

Marcin Wasilewski

Marcin Wasilewski is a Polish defender who joined the club from Anderlecht in 2013.

Wasilewski started his senior career at his local club, Hutnik Kraków, in Poland. He then went on to play for Śląsk Wrocław and Wisła Płock before moving to Amica Wronki.

He joined Lech Poznan as a free agent before signing for Anderlecht in 2007.

Wasilewski was featured regularly during his first two seasons at the club, including his second season, which was Leicester’s first in the top flight after gaining promotion to the Premier League.

By the 2015/2016 season, his game time was minimal, as Claudio Ranieri opted for a default backline that did not include him.

He made four appearances in the league that season, with three starts and one substitute appearance.

Throughout his career, and specifically during his time at Leicester City, Wasilewski primarily played the center-back position. He was also capable of playing as a right-back.

The following season was essentially the same, as he made only one league appearance for The Foxes. After Leicester opted not to renew his contract, he returned to Poland to join Wisła Kraków. 

Wasilewski officially retired from professional football on August 1, 2020.

Daniel Amartey

Daniel Amartey is a Ghanaian defender who joined Leicester City from FC Copenhagen.

Amartey started out playing for the second-tier club International Allies in Ghana. Scouts spotted him at the age of sixteen, which eventually led to his move to Europe.

He signed for Djurgarden, a Sweden-based club. After two years in Sweden, FC Copenhagen signed him for €1.8 million.

Amartey spent one and a half seasons with the club before Leicester City paid €6.6 million to bring him to the King Power Stadium in January 2016.

The primary reasons for his signing, according to Claudio Ranieri, were his versatility, athleticism, physicality, and work rate.

He became Leicester’s second signing of that January transfer window, following Demarai Grey.

Amartey made one start and four substitute appearances in the league that season. During his time on the pitch, he played as a central midfielder, defensive midfielder, and right-back.

He remained at Leicester after their league triumph, playing six more seasons for The Foxes.

Amartey left Leicester as a free agent and joined Turkish side Besiktas. He became a free agent after Besiktas mutually terminated his contract in September 2024. 

As of this moment, he is without a club and is currently a free agent. He is reportedly looking for a new club.

Ben Chilwell

Ben Chilwell is an English defender who began his youth career at Leicester City’s academy after joining the club at the age of 12 in 2009.

Although Claudio Ranieri selected Chilwell for the Matchday squads, he did not feature for The Foxes in the Premier League during their title-winning campaign. He featured in some league competitions, which included two FA Cup games and 1 League Cup game.

He also spent part of that season on loan at Huddersfield Town in the Championship, making eight appearances during his time there.

His Premier League debut for Leicester City came in the 2016/2017 season.

After establishing himself as a first-team player that season, he went on to play three more seasons for Leicester, becoming one of the best left-backs in the league.

This excellence prompted Chelsea to splash the cash once again, securing his services on August 26, 2020, courtesy of a reported deal worth £45 million, with potential add-ons bringing the total to £50 million.

At Chelsea, Chilwell continued his brilliance, establishing himself as the first-choice left-back or left wing-back. He won three major trophies during his time at Chelsea: the UEFA Champions League in the 2020/2021 season, the UEFA Super Cup in 2021, and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2022.

In the following seasons, fitness issues and a dip in form saw Chilwell fall down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

He spent the second half of the 2024/2025 season on loan to Crystal Palace, where he helped guide the club to its first-ever major trophy in the club’s history.

Chilwell is 28 years old, and with a lot still to offer at the top level, as he has shown during his loan spell with Palace, he would be assessing his options away from Chelsea.

What Happened to Leicester City After They Won the Premier League?

After Leicester City’s historic 2015/2016 Premier League title win, the club went through a rollercoaster journey.

In the 2016/2017 season, they finished 12th in the league, a significant drop from their first-place finish. 

In the Champions League, they reached the quarterfinals, knocking out Sevilla before losing to Atletico Madrid—this was their first-ever UEFA Champions League campaign. 

The club sacked Claudio Ranieri in February 2017 after a run of poor results. 

Between 2017 and 2020, Leicester City went through a period of stabilization and rebuilding.

There were several managerial appointments during this period, with notable names including Craig Shakespeare, Claude Puel, and Brendan Rodgers, who joined in 2019.

The team finished 9th in the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 seasons and then 5th in the 2019/2020 season, narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification.

The 2020/2021 season proved to be the club’s best season since their Premier League win.

Leicester finished 5th again but won their first-ever FA Cup, defeating Chelsea 1-0. They also won the FA Community Shield in 2021, beating Manchester City 1-0.

Between 2021 and 2023, the club experienced an alarming decline, which resulted in inconsistent form and defensive issues.

In the 2022/2023 season, Brendan Rodgers was sacked midway through the season, with Dean Smith brought in to keep the club afloat, but he failed to do so. 

Leicester City was relegated from the Premier League after finishing 18th. 

The following season, under young manager Enzo Maresca, Leicester won the Championship and secured immediate promotion back to the Premier League. Maresca then left for Chelsea in the summer of 2024.

They were unable to stay in the Premier League after the end of the 2024/2025 season, finishing 18th and thirteen points off 17th-placed Tottenham.

They are back to their status as a yo-yo team.

Tragedy and Lasting Legacy

Several off-the-pitch events also shaped the club’s journey after their title-winning season in 2015/2016.

On October 27, 2018, Leicester City’s beloved owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, died in a helicopter crash just outside the King Power Stadium after a home match. The crash killed four other people.

Following Vichai’s death, his son, Aiyawatt “Top” Srivaddhanaprabha, assumed the role of chairman.

Leicester opened a £100 million training complex in Seagrave in 2020, reflecting the club’s ambition to be a top–tier side both structurally and competitively.

The club also gained a reputation for profitable player sales. They sold the likes of Mahrez, Kanté, Maguire, and Fofana for huge profits after they acquired them for modest fees.

Leicester faced financial challenges and scrutiny under the Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations in the 2022/2023 season. The club made fewer signings and offloaded players to manage spending, drawing attention to sustainability concerns under FFP regulations.

With the start of a new Championship season in view, Leicester would be looking to gain promotion back to the Premier League and attain great heights.