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Leicester City's all-time best XI... featuring five Premier League winners

After clinching their first top-flight title in the club's 132-year history, Sky Sports picks Leicester City's all-time XI.

Jamie Carragher described Leicester's Premier League winners as legends - but how many make it into the club's all-time XI?

Leicester have shocked the world of football by going from 5,000/1 outsiders under Claudio Ranieri to title winners, an unthinkable feat in only their second season back in the top flight following promotion in 2014.

But how many of the Premier League champions would make it into a best-ever Leicester line-up? Here we pick our XI...  

Gordon Banks

Kasper Schmeichel has been somewhat of an unsung hero during Leicester's unlikely title charge this season, but few could argue that 1966 World Cup winner Gordon Banks doesn't deserve his place between the sticks in Leicester City's all-time XI.

Signed from Chesterfield for £7,000 in July 1959, Banks was part of the side that reached the 1961 and 1963 FA Cup finals before going on to lose to Tottenham and Manchester United respectively. He would clinch silverware with the Foxes in 1964, though, winning the League Cup 4-3 on aggregate over Stoke City before losing 3-2 to Chelsea the following season.

England goalkeeper Gordon Banks
Image: Gordon Banks was part of the side that reached the 1961 and 1963 FA Cup finals

But it was his exploits for Sir Alf Ramsey's heroes in 1966 that would etch him in football folklore, not conceding a goal until a 2-1 win over Portugal in the semi-final before lifting the trophy at Wembley.

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Four years later, he made the 'save of the century', somehow keeping out Pele's header in the clash with Brazil in Guadalajara, but Banks would miss the 1970 World Cup quarter-final against West Germany due to illness.

Regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, he was named FWA Footballer of the Year in 1972, and was FIFA Goalkeeper of the Year on six occasions.

"Banks was a truly global player, particularly after his World Cup exploits in 1966 and 1970 and the save from Pele," Leicester City club historian John Hutchinson told Sky Sports.

"He had uncanny positioning; he was extremely agile and had sharp reflexes. 

"The game I will always remember him for is the 1963 FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool at Hillsborough, the players at the time said it was like the Alamo. He was absolutely outstanding."

Steve Walsh

No-nonsense defender Steve Walsh made 369 appearances for the Foxes during a 14-year spell at Filbert Street, where he scored 53 goals and picked up 13 red cards, a Football League record alongside Roy McDonough.

Born in Preston, Walsh began his career at Wigan Athletic where he won the Football League trophy in 1984/85 before moving to Leicester for £100,000 and was made captain by manager Brian Little six years later.

22 Aug 1998:  Steve Walsh of Leicester in action against Everton in the FA Carling Premiership match at Filbert St in Leicester in England. Leicester won 2
Image: Steve Walsh made 369 appearances for the Foxes during a 14-year spell

Often employed as an emergency striker, Walsh went on to score 15 goals, including one in the 1992/93 4-3 play-off final defeat to Swindon Town, but he ensured himself legendary status the following season, scoring twice against local rivals Derby County to clinch promotion the Premier League for the first time.

Injury ruled him out for the majority of the 1994/95 season which saw City suffer relegation, but Martin O'Neill restored 'Captain Fantastic' to the side promoted back to the top-flight after Steve Claridge scored the winner in the 120th minute against Crystal Palace in the 1995/96 play-off final.

Walsh was an integral part of the side that would go on to become the most successful in the club's history, clinching four successive top-10 finishes in the top flight in addition to winning the League Cup in 1997 after setting up Emile Heskey's equaliser at Wembley and Claridge's winner in the replay against Middlesbrough.

Walsh also featured in City's 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon in the 1997 UEFA Cup and was captain when the Foxes suffered a late defeat to Tottenham in the 1999 League Cup.

John Sjoberg

Aberdeen-born John Sjoberg spent 15 seasons at Leicester from 1958 to 1973 and was a key member of the famous 'Ice Kings' side of 1962/63.

Under the management of Matt Gillies, Leicester sensationally chased the double but would eventually fall short after losing 3-1 to Manchester United in the FA Cup final and, after winning just one of their final nine league games, their title challenge collapsed as City finished in fourth.

John Sjoberg (left) spent 15 seasons at Leicester
Image: John Sjoberg (left) spent 15 seasons at Leicester from 1958 to 1973

After joining from Scottish amateur side Banks o'Dee in August 1958, Sjoberg made his debut in a 2-1 win over Cardiff City in October 1960 and would go on to make 413 appearances for the Foxes.

Another member of the Leicester side that won the 1963 League Cup, Sjoberg also played in the 1971 Charity Shield final where Second Division champions Leicester defeated FA Cup finalists Liverpool 1-0 thanks to Steve Whitworth's goal at Filbert Street.

Sjoberg passed away in October 2008 following a short illness.

"Sjoberg played about 400 games for Leicester right through the 60s up until the 70s," said Hutchinson.

"He started off as a left full-back, but he became a very strong central defender alongside Graham Cross. Cross was exceptional as well, he played 599 games. Nobody has played more games for the club than Cross.

"I think of Cross and Sjoberg together, I wouldn't like to choose between them. They played a 1,000 games between them. He wasn't a dirty player, but he was as hard as nails. He really was extremely effective. 

"He was also versatile; there was also a time when Gillies stuck him up front like Martin O'Neill did with Walsh. He was a true great player; I would definitely put Sjoberg in."

Wes Morgan

Current captain Wes Morgan, 32, signed for the Foxes in January 2012 for an undisclosed fee from local rivals Nottingham Forest and captained the club to their seventh second-tier title in 2013/14 under Nigel Pearson.

In April 2015, Morgan was selected in the Football League team of the Decade before helping guide Leicester to the 'Great Escape' where the Foxes won seven of their last nine games to ensure Premier League survival.

Wes Morgan celebrates giving Leicester the lead
Image: Wes Morgan signed for the Foxes in January 2012

Morgan has arguably been Leicester's most-improved played under Claudio Ranieri and has formed a formidable partnership with Robert Huth on their way to a remarkable title challenge.

The Jamaican international is the first-ever Leicester City captain to win a top-flight title and the iconic image of Morgan hoisting the Premier League trophy aloft at the King Power Stadium is enough to warrant a place in the club's all-time XI alone.

Riyad Mahrez

The 25-year-old Algeria international has been instrumental in Leicester's astonishing surge towards the Premier League title.

The first African and only Leicester player ever to win the PFA Player of the Season award, Mahrez began his career at Quimper before he was plucked out of the French second tier when playing for Le Havre by Leicester's Head of Recruitment, Steve Walsh.

Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City celebrates scoring the opener against Swansea
Image: Mahrez's performances earned him the PFA Player of the Season award

The tricky winger scored his first Leicester goal in a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground and played a key part in the side that won the Championship title in 2013/14.

Mahrez began this season with a double in a 4-2 win against Sunderland and scored his first ever hat-trick in a 3-0 away win at Swansea City, before scoring a stunning goal in a 2-1 win over champions Chelsea at the King Power Stadium.

N'Golo Kante

Another one of Walsh's recruits, N'Golo Kante was a relative unknown when he was signed from French club Caen for £5.6million last summer and has been a revelation in the Foxes midfield since forcing his way into the side after coming on as a substitute during a 2-2 draw away at Stoke City.

After the departure of fans' favourite Esteban Cambiasso, Claudio Ranieri signed midfielder Gokhan Inler as his replacement, but the Swiss midfielder struggled to make an impact since his switch from Napoli.

Leicester City's N'Golo Kante (centre) and Newcastle United's Ayoze Perez (right) during the Barclays Premier League match at the King Power Stadium
Image: N'Golo Kante was a relative unknown when he was signed from French club Caen for £5.6million

Alongside Danny Drinkwater, Kante has been at the heart of Leicester's title charge with the most interceptions in the Premier League and has since become one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe having been voted in the PFA Team of the Year.

Kante also received his first international call-up in March 2016 and scored on his France debut and 25th birthday in a 4-2 win over Russia.

Danny Drinkwater

Perhaps the most controversial of the all-time XI, Drinkwater has been a mainstay in the Leicester City midfield since his switch from Manchester United in 2012 and has gone on to make over 150 appearances for the Foxes, scoring 12 goals.

After a series of loan spells away from Old Trafford, Drinkwater settled in the East Midlands and was named in the PFA Championship Team of the Year alongside team-mates Schmeichel and Morgan as City clinched promotion back to the top-flight for the first time in 10 years.

Danny Drinkwater of Leicester City celebrates
Image: Danny Drinkwater has been a mainstay in the Leicester City midfield since his switch from Manchester United in 2012

Drinkwater featured just 24 times as Leicester secured their Premier League survival, but it was in the absence of Cambiasso where the 26-year-old flourished and alongside Kante the pair have provided an industrious platform to give Mahrez the freedom to wield his magic on the right.

Favoured instead of legend Dave Gibson, this speaks volumes for the influence Drinkwater has had on City's title tilt.

"Gibson was an absolute magician," said Hutchinson, who was stunned by Gibson's omission.

"He had superb control, visionary passing skills, great artistry but he was also resilient and scored 53 goals from midfield."

Keith Weller

Widely regarded as the most talented player to wear a Leicester City shirt prior to this season, Keith Weller signed for the Foxes in 1971 for £100,000 after their promotion to the top flight.

A vital component of Jimmy Bloomfield's team alongside Frank Worthington, Jon Sammels and Alan Birchenall, City never finished above seventh during an eight-year spell that saw some of the most flamboyant football ever played at Filbert Street.

Keith Weller is regarded as the most talented player to wear a Leicester City... before this season
Image: Keith Weller is regarded as the most talented player to wear a Leicester City shirt... before this season

Frequently employed on the flank, Weller was equally as effective through the middle and was capped four times for England under caretaker manager Joe Mercer.

Perhaps his most famous moment for the East Midlands club came in a 1979 FA Cup tie against Norwich City, where the winger strode afield with a fetching pair of white tights beneath his kit before scoring in a 3-0 win to silence the crowd.

Five years earlier, he was fined and temporarily transfer-listed after sensationally refusing to return to the pitch for Leicester's encounter with Ipswich Town. Other notable highlights included a hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Liverpool in 1972 and stunning strike against Luton Town on City's way to the FA Cup semi-final.

Weller passed away in 2004 after suffering with a rare form of cancer, aged 58.

"Weller was pure artistry, his speed and goalscoring were outstanding," recalled Hutchinson.

Muzzy Izzet

Turkish midfielder Muzzy Izzet signed on loan for Leicester in March 1996 under Martin O'Neill and made an immediate impact, scoring a vital goal against Watford to guarantee a play-off place on the final day of the season. He made the move permanent for £800,000 from Chelsea following City's promotion and went on to make a total of 269 appearances for the club.

A dynamic midfielder, Izzet formed a formidable partnership in the Leicester midfield alongside Neil Lennon and Robbie Savage and helped the club to four successive top 10 finishes in the Premier League as well as clinching two League Cups.

Image: Muzzy Izzet made a total of 269 appearances for the club

Izzet handed in a transfer request in autumn 2001 following the departure of O'Neill despite having pledged his future to the club, but withdrew his request as the club guaranteed their promotion back to the top flight in 2002/03.

A fans' favourite, Izzet's most memorable moments included a spectacular volley at home to Tottenham and a wonderfully acrobatic overhead kick in a 2-1 win over Grimsby Town at Blundell Park in 2002.

Capped nine times by his country, Izzet featured in Turkey's 1-0 2002 World Cup semi-final defeat against Brazil in Saitama.

Gary Lineker

Leicester-born forward Gary Lineker joined his hometown club after leaving City of Leicester Boys' Grammar School in 1977 and went on to make 194 appearances for the club, scoring 95 goals.

He made his senior debut for the club on New Year's Day in 1979 in a 2-0 win over Oldham Athletic and earned a Second Division winners medal a year later under Jock Wallace. However, Lineker featured just nine times in the top-flight as City were relegated, but they did reach the semi-final of the FA Cup the following season before losing to Tottenham.

Gary Lineker scored 95 goals for Leicester
Image: Gary Lineker made 194 appearances for the club, scoring 95 goals

Lineker propelled City to promotion back to the top-flight in 1982/83 by scoring 26 goals before forging a prolific partnership with Alan Smith, earning him the top goalscorer crown in Division One with an impressive tally of 24.

Lineker was then sold to champions Everton for a fee of £800,000 before going on to sign for Barcelona for £2.8million in 1986. Boasting 80 international caps, Lineker won the Golden Boot at the 1986 World Cup and also scored 48 goals.

Jamie Vardy

Jamie Vardy has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the pinnacle of English football since his £1million switch from Fleetwood Town in May 2012.

The 29-year-old prodigy began his career at Stocksbridge Park Steels in the EvoStick Northern Premier League before he joined Halifax Town in 2010, where he would go on to score 26 goals in his debut season.

Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates as he scores their second goal
Image: Jamie Vardy began his career at Stocksbridge Park Steels

A year later, he joined Conference Premier side Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee and scored 31 league goals as 'The Cod Army' secured promotion to the Football League. Another of Walsh's recruits, Vardy initially struggled to make an impact in the second tier of English football but soon found his feet as he helped Pearson's side to the Championship title in 2013/14 with 16 goals in 38 league appearances.

Vardy found the net just five times during his first season at the top of the pyramid - including twice in the dramatic 5-3 win over Manchester United - but has been instrumental in the Foxes' miraculous title charge, including scoring in a record 11 consecutive games to break Ruud van Nistelrooy's record.

His form at the back end of last season also saw him earn his first international call up under Roy Hodgson and he scored his first England goal with a sublime flick just moments after coming off the bench in a 3-2 away win against world champions Germany in March.

Subs - Peter Shilton, Graham Cross, Dave Gibson, Frank Worthington, Emile Heskey.

Leicester's all-time XI, featuring five players from the current crop
Image: Leicester's all-time XI, featuring five players from the current crop

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