Ten years ago, Leicester City sat atop the Premier League table, on their way to a historic title. Now, they are struggling in the Championship's relegation zone.
Despite winning the FA Cup just five years ago, the club is facing a bleak situation. With a six-point deduction and financial constraints due to mismanagement and relegation, the team's performance is below expectations. Leicester is staring at a potential drop into League One for the first time since 2009.
According to Tommy Smith on the Sky Sports Essential EFL podcast, 'Leicester are in trouble. I think they're done. I don't think they've got enough in the team or the dressing room to get three wins from four.' Leicester fan Elliot Sumner notes that the season has unravelled due to a lack of experienced striker recruitment and a fractured dressing room. The club's problems seem to run deeper than just the players, with frustration directed at the board and owner Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha's absence.
The lack of transparency around the club's financial struggles has added to the frustration. If Leicester is relegated to League One, they will see a significant hit in income, with revenues predicted to fall by around 50 per cent compared to the Championship. The club's wage bill would have to fall by about 30-40 per cent, and a huge churn in the squad is likely, with many players becoming unaffordable for a League One club.