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The alternative view is that we're witnessing a bit of a changing of the guard here. Perhaps one of the biggest moments of the season was Chelsea's pursuit of

The alternative view is that we're witnessing a bit of a changing of the guard here. Perhaps one of the biggest moments of the season was Chelsea's pursuit of John Stones from Everton coming to nothing. In another year, he'd have gone, but this year Everton could afford to hang onto their asset. There's now more scope for teams like Leicester to assemble squads of above-average players and hold onto them. They haven't fallen into the trap of teams like Villa, who at one time have had really top players, only to lose them and have to replace them. Or Spurs in the past with losing players like Bale. Or Southampton, who I think had to basically rebuild an entire side three times? There's no longer a huge gap between the top four and the rest, and that gap is no longer reinforced every year by the same teams getting money for being in the Champions League. As such those sides weaknesses are now being more exposed. Man U could well be in long term decline post-Ferguson, Chelsea are an ageing side, Arsenal have long term structural weaknesses in their side which they appear unwilling or unable to address, and Man City in the Premier League often seem to be always a little less than the sum of their parts. We might look back and see the first 20 years of the Premier League as being an anomaly where only a few sides were capable of winning the league.

jonwinstanley 11y ago
The increased money means lower clubs can now afford to buy a better standard of players such as when Cabeye, Payet and Wijnaldum joined average sides in the Summer. But I'm not sure this applies to Leicester. They signed a few players but none that really stood out as surprising apart from Gökhan Inler, who has hardly played all season.
- kristianc 11y ago
  At the same time, where previously there would have been no chance of Riyad Mahrez staying with Leicester with PSG, Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona circling, now they have a real chance of hanging onto him I'd expect.
  - celticninja 11y ago
    If he stays with Leicester he can almost guarantee a first side place, not so much if he goes elsewhere.
    - kristianc 11y ago
      There's lots of other reasons - money, prestige, chance of winning European trophies regularly, even input of their agent - which would suggest a player would move even without the promise of first team football.
- stinkytaco 11y ago
  I recall Kante being recruited by some larger clubs, including Marseille. He was a relatively expensive transfer as well. I would think he was the standout signing, along with Huth and Fuchs who were both considered future top level players at one point in their careers. It amazes me that Mahrez is the subject of so much transfer talk when Kante is a really game changing player.
ameen 11y ago
The change of guard could well be a reason, but all of this was expected due to given data. Mourinho usually runs his squad into the ground and 2 years was more than enough for them to burn out (no rotation + same starting team every other match, etc). Arsenal and Man City were hit by injuries (City actually leads the PL in injuries this season), Spurs were expected to be in the top 3 after last season – Dele Alli's emergence has just been the icing on the cake. All this talk about Ranieri overlooks the fact that Pearson started their comeback last season, Leicester was all but relegated. The squad he chose was a typical PL side, physical football with little flair compared to Arsenal and Manchester City. Mahrez barely got a look in last season. The stars aligned and Pearson was booted due to the controversy and Ranieri inherited a young and able lineup good enough for a mid-table finish. I also disagree on the anomaly aspect – Man City are still on track for a top 4 maybe top 3 finish, a position they've held since 2010. Arsenal for 4th, their designated position thanks to Wenger. Spurs a top 5 side have stepped up at the expense of a fellow London club. Man United still hanging around the top 7 as they've since Ferguson's departure. Leicester have been incredibly lucky and have calls gone their way, as have Spurs as well. Although EPL has usually been open compared to other top leagues in Europe where you could decide the winner before the Season kicks off (Bundesliga - Bayern, Ligue 1 - PSG, La Liga - Barçelona) [Disclaimer: Manchester City fan, so there might be some bias]

jonwinstanley 11y ago

The increased money means lower clubs can now afford to buy a better standard of players such as when Cabeye, Payet and Wijnaldum joined average sides in the Summer. But I'm not sure this applies to Leicester. They signed a few players but none that really stood out as surprising apart from Gökhan Inler, who has hardly played all season.

kristianc 11y ago
At the same time, where previously there would have been no chance of Riyad Mahrez staying with Leicester with PSG, Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona circling, now they have a real chance of hanging onto him I'd expect.
- celticninja 11y ago
  If he stays with Leicester he can almost guarantee a first side place, not so much if he goes elsewhere.
  - kristianc 11y ago
    There's lots of other reasons - money, prestige, chance of winning European trophies regularly, even input of their agent - which would suggest a player would move even without the promise of first team football.
stinkytaco 11y ago
I recall Kante being recruited by some larger clubs, including Marseille. He was a relatively expensive transfer as well. I would think he was the standout signing, along with Huth and Fuchs who were both considered future top level players at one point in their careers. It amazes me that Mahrez is the subject of so much transfer talk when Kante is a really game changing player.

ameen 11y ago

The change of guard could well be a reason, but all of this was expected due to given data. Mourinho usually runs his squad into the ground and 2 years was more than enough for them to burn out (no rotation + same starting team every other match, etc). Arsenal and Man City were hit by injuries (City actually leads the PL in injuries this season), Spurs were expected to be in the top 3 after last season – Dele Alli's emergence has just been the icing on the cake. All this talk about Ranieri overlooks the fact that Pearson started their comeback last season, Leicester was all but relegated. The squad he chose was a typical PL side, physical football with little flair compared to Arsenal and Manchester City. Mahrez barely got a look in last season. The stars aligned and Pearson was booted due to the controversy and Ranieri inherited a young and able lineup good enough for a mid-table finish. I also disagree on the anomaly aspect – Man City are still on track for a top 4 maybe top 3 finish, a position they've held since 2010. Arsenal for 4th, their designated position thanks to Wenger. Spurs a top 5 side have stepped up at the expense of a fellow London club. Man United still hanging around the top 7 as they've since Ferguson's departure. Leicester have been incredibly lucky and have calls gone their way, as have Spurs as well. Although EPL has usually been open compared to other top leagues in Europe where you could decide the winner before the Season kicks off (Bundesliga - Bayern, Ligue 1 - PSG, La Liga - Barçelona) [Disclaimer: Manchester City fan, so there might be some bias]