Leicester 2016/17 Premier League season review

It was an eventful title defence for Leicester as Claudio Ranieri departed.

Read our review of Leicester's 2016/17 Premier League season with expert analysis.

Finishing position: 12th (-11)
Total points: 44 (-37)
Champions League: Quarter-final
FA Cup: Fifth round
EFL Cup: Third round
Top scorer: Jamie Vardy (13)

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Season review

It was always going to be difficult to top the drama of Leicester's amazing title triumph of the previous campaign but the Foxes gave it a go as they courted the drop, sacked a legend, embarked on a European adventure and surged back up the table all in a matter of months.

The failure to replace N'Golo Kante was a major issue for Ranieri and while Leicester successfully negotiated their Champions League group, a run of five league defeats in early 2017 saw him controversially sacked after the first leg of a last-16 tie with Sevilla.

It could have gone either way at that point but Craig Shakespeare won the second leg as well as his first five Premier League games in charge as the Leicester of old returned. In the end, there was a mid-table finish to add to the European fun. Truly, a season to remember.

EXPERT ANALYSIS - PHIL THOMPSON

Managerial review

Craig Shakespeare has done very well to rally the troops. He said he'd give himself a seven or eight out of 10 and I'd agree with that. There was a sour taste with the way Claudio Ranieri went but he's dealt with the team very well and people forget they were just outside the relegation zone.

Kasper Schmeichel is the only one who has enhanced his reputation.

Player of the season: Kasper Schmeichel

Kasper Schmeichel is the only one who has enhanced his reputation. He's proven a leader out of those players, for all of their failings, with the way he spoke very well after the game against Manchester City.

2017/18 prospects

They'll be looking at central defenders after Wes Morgan and Robert Huth were exposed a bit. I would expect Riyad Mahrez to leave and some of the signings haven't been great, so without Champions League football they could do with letting some go to balance the books. I'd expect just a couple coming in and it would be good to see Demarai Gray get more chances. Keeping Schmeichel will be one of the biggest issues for them. In terms of realistic targets, I think they should be looking at around the top part of the second group in the league, back in the top half and targeting Europa League qualification.

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