Leicester have won the Barclays Premier League, their first top flight title in their 132-year history, and will head into the Champions League next season.
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Having finished in lower mid-table last season, Leicester can expect a huge boost in prize money and related commercial benefits after topping the standings this season. It burns a lot of mental energy in the Champions League. “Now we can say only 99 percent of the time”, the 64-year-old Italian was quoted as saying by the BBC.
“And that is notwithstanding the fact that, potentially, commercial agreements that they hold will have bonuses and uplifts as a result of them winning the League”. The striker’s 22 goals this season saw him voted player of the year by the Football Writers’ Association this week. “We are talking about an incredible achievement and something you maybe need to see as the exception which proves the rule, or something that is going to change the landscape of the competitive nature of the league”.
“We’re facing a team who have played all season with an incredible tempo”, he said.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez believes it could be hard to see a repeat of Leicester City’s “inspirational” Premier League title triumph.
The 6ft 6in goalkeeper was on City’s radar earlier this season and they have good links with Liege after the sale of Anthony Knockaert a year ago. I won the most important league in Europe, I think, not just Europe but the world, the Premier League. “Then maybe you can go anywhere”.
He said: “They’ve got very wealthy owners there, I’m sure they’ll strengthen and they’ll make sure that people there are looked after and they’ll keep the players”.
Although wealthier rivals could offer Leicester’s stars bigger salaries, the central England club appears to offer more stability for now at a time when Chelsea – and potentially Manchester United – will be out of the Champions League next season. It is important to bring the players with the same mentality, our mentality.
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“It is important to choose very well for the lads because now, for me as well, the lads are my sons”.
