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Leicester ratings: Riyad Mahrez, N'Golo Kante and Jamie Vardy star

Okazaki Vardy Ulloa

Leicester City's Premier League season has been impressive from start to finish, with Claudio Ranieri's side cementing their place in history by winning the title.

Every member of the squad has played their part - from the week-in, week-out starters to the bit-part back-ups - and Foxes fans now look forward to a Champions League campaign next season.

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With the club's maiden Premier League title secured, Sky Sports asked club legend Alan Smith to rate their key title-winning players out of 10.

GOALKEEPER

Kasper Schmeichel - 8

He's grown in self-belief as the season has gone on. He's a very competent keeper; I wouldn't say he's one of the best 'keepers in the league. He's not on the level of Hugo Lloris and David de Gea, but Schmeichel has done all he's had to and he is a good communicator with his defenders. There's a good head on his shoulders and all credit to him for coming out the shadow of his father like he has. He's an excellent goalkeeper in his own right.

Kasper Schmeichel has been ever-present for the Foxes so far this season
Image: Kasper Schmeichel has been ever-present for the Foxes so far this season

DEFENDERS

Christian Fuchs - 8

I'd seen him play a bit at Schalke, and he's obviously the Austria captain so has come in to the club as a highly experienced player. He couldn't get in at the start - Jeff Schlupp was the left-back - but when he did get in, he hasn't looked back. He's a tough man to beat in a one-on-one, and he's played his part going forward. That ball in for Vardy in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United was a beauty, so he's done really well.

Christian Fuchs celebrates Leicester's victory over Sunderland
Image: Christian Fuchs is tough to beat in a one-on-one situation

Robert Huth - 8

Another one who doesn't complicate his game; he's a very physical player. In terms of partnerships, he and Wes Morgan have dove-tailed brilliantly. If you're a centre-forward, he's the sort of player you don't look forward to facing. He grapples with you, he doesn't mess about, doesn't mind going in hard, and he's good positionally. He rarely gets caught for pace... he's not the quickest, but he doesn't often get into those positions where he's in a race with a striker. As we've seen on occasions, he's dangerous at attacking set pieces with his height and power. A great success story of the season.

Robert Huth, Paddy McNair, Leicester City v Manchester United, Premier League
Image: Robert Huth has been a rock at the back for Leicester this season

Wes Morgan - 8

Although he's the captain, he's not overly well-spoken or vocal. Everybody respects him, and he's in a position now where he's lifting the Premier League trophy after having a fairly unspectacular time at Nottingham Forest. A really good character and a good professional, much like Huth. He dictates things, and if he has to find Row Z, he will. Again, he's not the quickest defender, but between the two centre-backs, they've not really been exposed.

Wes Morgan of Leicester City controls the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between A.F.C. Bournemouth
Image: Wes Morgan is a well-respected leader for Leicester

Danny Simpson - 8

The two full-backs have been great. At one stage, Ranieri decided that he didn't want him bombing on too much - they can every now and again - but Danny concentrates on not getting beaten, and on holding his position. He's done it very well. His career seemed to be heading nowhere - at Newcastle and QPR, it didn't take off - but here he's grabbed it with both hands. He's not an attacking full-back in the mould of Hector Bellerin, but he is a top defender, very determined. He had a setback when he was sent off at Arsenal, but he's bounced back from that and has done really well. A very steady player.

Danny Simpson of Leicester City
Image: Danny Simpson has found a new lease of life at Leicester

Ritchie De Laet - 7

Ritchie de Laet joined Middlesbrough on loan in January but, before then, he made 12 Premier League appearances for Leicester this season and did his job well, if unspectacularly. It is the mark of a winning side that you have these kind of characters that go under the radar. 

Leicester City's Ritchie De Laet
Image: Ritchie De Laet has been the perfect back-up player for the Foxes

MIDFIELDERS

Marc Albrighton - 8

He's been incredibly consistent, a regular in that Leicester team. He's such a hard worker too, gets up and down. He protects and works really well with Christian Fuchs, and delivers a very good cross as well. He's got this great ability to float a ball over the head of the centre-half and into the path of Jamie Vardy. He doesn't play a complicated game, he keeps it fairly simple, but he's been extremely effective.

SUNDERLAND, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 10:  Marc Albrighton of Leicester City is watched by DeAndre Yedlin of Sunderland during the Barclays Premier League mat
Image: Marc Albrighton has been a regular for Leicester this season

N'Golo Kante - 10

He's been an absolute revelation. Nobody had really heard of him and the way he acclimatised to the Premier League almost straight away when he came into the team was impressive. Claudio Ranieri played Gokhan Inler initially, but he swapped about and Kante came into the side. He played wide against Stoke that day in September, and he's not looked back since. He covers the ground so quickly and effectively, almost glides across the ground. He's so quick over 5-10 yards and is a great reader of the game. He can intercept without needing to tackle, but he doesn't mind a tackle either. I've hardly seen him have a bad game.

N'Golo Kante of Leicester City in action
Image: N'Golo Kante rarely has a bad game and 'glides across the ground'

Danny Drinkwater - 9

He's just been brilliant. He's not a youngster but he knows that midfield role and what's expected of him. He's a good passer of the ball and likes to hit that long one to Vardy down the channel; he doesn't have to look up often, they've got a good understanding. He's got a good partnership with N'Golo Kante as well, as a double act they dove-tail perfectly. They feed off each other and suit one another. He's just been great.

Wes Morgan of Leicester City (5) celebrates with team mate Danny Drinkwater as he scores their first goal during the Barcla
Image: Danny Drinkwater has created a brilliant partnership with Kante in midfield

Nathan Dyer - 7.5

I commentated on the huge game against Aston Villa, when Dyer scored a massively important goal. He scored the winning goal in a 3-2 victory, which signalled the end for Villa and almost the start of things for Leicester. He showed a lot of bravery. I think some people at Swansea were surprised they let him go out on loan. He hasn't had much of a chance but that goal secured three points and you look back at the end of the season and these moments are huge.

Nathan Dyer is pulled back by Ben Davies
Image: On loan from Swansea, Nathan Dyer scored a very important goal against Villa

Andy King - 7.5

I like Andy. It's been hard because he's been a regular before now but has had to step down and be a support act, but he's done it very well when called upon. He's a very good finisher, as proved by his goals-to-game ratio for Leicester. He's a hard-worker too, and a very, very good squad player.

Andy King of Leicester City celebrates scoring their second goal against West Ham
Image: Andy King has proven to be a great back-up option

Riyad Mahrez - 10

What can you say? He's a special player that gets people out of their seats. He's so exciting and so positive when he gets on the ball. He looks about eight stone soaking wet but he's got that wiry strength about him and is hard to bully. He's got great balance and change of direction, and of course his goals - he's scored more away from home than at the King Power, and they've been big goals as well. Invaluable player.

Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez wins the PFA Player of the Year award
Image: Leicester's Riyad Mahrez won the PFA Player of the Year award in April

Jeffrey Schlupp - 7.5

He's had to take a step down and has spent large portions of the season on the bench, but he came in the other day and put in an excellent shift against Swansea, as he did when he won the penalty against West Ham - it was a vital point there. He's very quick and very strong. He's a good man to have on the bench and bring on.

Leicester's Jeff Schlupp falls down under the attempted challenge from Andy Carroll
Image: Jeff Schlupp hasn't played every game, but won an important penalty against West Ham

STRIKERS

Leonardo Ulloa - 7.5

He has had a good season. He's had to play the support act and is a different sort of player to Vardy. He's a back-to-goal man and was excellent against Swansea the other day. Ulloa has scored some big goals: that penalty against West Ham and then two against Swansea last week. He is the classic sub who is always ready when called upon. He doesn't sulk, keeps his chin up and is always ready for the challenge.

Leonardo Ulloa celebrates scoring the second goal for Leicester
Image: Leonardo Ulloa was magnificent against Swansea and has scored important goals

Shinji Okazaki - 7.5

He's impressed, particularly in the last 10 or 15 games when he's played a big part. You'll rarely see a player run around as much. His perpetual motion, he never stops. He always gets subbed off with about 20 minutes to go; Ranieri's attitude is, 'Let him run himself ragged and hassle opponents, and then when he starts to tire, I'll bring him off'. He drops in, helps the midfield and allows Vardy to push on. He's played more than his part in Leicester's amazing season.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 10:  Shinji Okazaki (L) of Leicester City celebrates with teammate Demarai Gray
Image: Shinji Okazaki's work-rate has made him a valuable member of the squad

Jamie Vardy - 10

He's been a whirlwind, hasn't he? Vardy has gone from strength to strength… no worries about his reputation, no fear, he grabs games by the scruff of the neck and what a fine finisher he is. He's obviously got great pace, but he can finish with his left and his right foot. It's not a flash in the pan - you think, 'He's come from non-League, is it a one-season wonder?' but I don't think so with him, he's just been a late developer.

He's a top-class striker. He will be important for England at Euro 2016 this summer too. You'd expect him to have a role off the bench, but he's the last person you want to face in the last 20 minutes of a match with his strength and aggression. He's in dreamland after where he came from.

Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates as he scores their second goal
Image: Jamie Vardy has led the line for Leicester this season

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