An Optimistic Fox

We faced the drop, but I've got hope we'll start this season fighting to return.

Let's not beat around the bush, the final weeks of the last season was nothing short of crushing. Like many, I thought Leicester would be safe from relegation, after all, we weren't having our best season, but the drop felt like an impossibility... until it happened.

So I've said farewell to the Premier League (for now), embraced the new manager, and have set my sights forward, supporting the club on our way back up to the top flight of English football. Pre-season has now concluded, and the first game of the campaign is kicking off today (Sunday, August 6th, in case you're reading this in the future). We'll play Coventry at home, and I have to say I'm feeling very optimistic.

The Manager

Enzo Maresca, the first Italian manager to take over the Foxes since that fabled Italian Claudio Ranieri led the Foxes to the impossible (It's not a given for success, but you gotta make the positive links when you can). He's also worked alongside Pep, so as usual, the press have hyped him up beyond belief, with the assumption he'll be bringing the golden Guardiola magic over with him. Still, he's relatively new to the management game having only really started his managerial career back in 2017 as assistant manager at Ascoli, then Sevilla and even West Ham. That is before his stint with the Man City academy, and a brief spell at Parma, before heading back to Manchester City, to be assistant manager during Man City's treble-winning season.

It's hard to guess what way a new manager will go, but he seems to have a strong presence about him, and the reports that he's supposedly converted around six wantaway players to stay and fight for promotion, speaks volumes about the sort of leader he must be. He's fresh and unproven, but much like that song in Shrek, I'm a believer.

Leavers & Remainers

Players come, and players go. This year, it feels like we've not only lost some incredible talents but also strong leaders in the camp. It's tough to say goodbye to so many players who have helped the club achieve what it has these past seasons, but I wish them all the best on their journeys at their new clubs. It'll be an adjustment to see the Maddison running around in a Spurs kit, and Tielemans up the road at Villa Park, but we've sold, re-invested and begun to rebuild.

Despite those departures, we've still managed to keep a hold of some amazing talent (I mean, that could all still change with the transfer window open). Having the likes of Ndidi, Pereira, Vardy and Dewsbury Hall staying with the squad is a huge boost to the club's quality ahead of the new season.

New Signings

Having lost the likes of so many stars due to sales, or contracts ending, it's great to see that investment coming straight back into the club, with both new and experienced signings. The recruitment of seasoned defender Conor Coady and up-and-comer Callum Doyle are essential signings that we've managed to get across the line early (Though Coady is out injured for the first few games unfortunately). The same can be said about long-term Spurs man Harry Winks departing a top 6 club to aid the Fox's return, alongside young shot-stopper Mads Hermansen, Stephy Mavididi could be a great bit of business if he lives up to his attacking potential (and that's not just because he's carried my FIFA team for the past few years). All the signings seem like smart, thought-out investments, and the window isn't even shut yet. The real test will be seeing if the squad can gel together and deliver some truly sensational performances.

The Championship isn't a cakewalk, but I've got belief in the squad, the club, and the fans, that together, this season will be a great one. Not just a one-off wonder season, but one we'll be building upon in the future, whether that's winning the championship, making the playoffs, or even finishing strong and ready for another bout in the championship. We'll regroup and come back stronger. (That being said, if we do make the playoffs, please no Troy Deeney moments, it may just break me)

My prediction for the match. Leicester City: 3 - 1:Coventry