da 888： As Leicester City’s unexpected title-challenge rumbles on, so does the praise for the likes of Jamie Vardy and Rihad Mahrez. The attacking duo have been nothing short of remarkable for the campaign, combining for 33 goals and 14 assists in the 27 games so far.
da dobrowin： Even the likes of N’Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater have drawn praise from all quarters, their roles in the Foxes’ midfield almost as impressive. But there’s one name who is often far less mentioned when talk of Leicester’s campaign comes about, and that’s captain, Wes Morgan.
Clearly not as glamorous a name as his more eye-catching team-mates, the Jamaica international’s role in this fairytale story should not be under-estimated. Playing every minute of every game in the Premier League, the uncompromising defender has formed an excellent partnership with Robert Huth.
The pair have already helped Leicester to nine clean sheets in the league, even after the relatively leaky first couple of months of the season which saw the side fail to produce a shut-out until the final week of October. For all the goalscoring prowess of Vardy and Mahrez, the solidity in front of Kasper Schmeichel brought about by Morgan and his defensive partner is equally as important.
Now in his fourth full season at the King Power Stadium, Morgan has been a virtual ever-present since joining from near neighbours Nottingham Forest. Never missing more than a single game in any season for Leicester, his physical presence, aerial ability and marshalling of the troops will remain a vital factor should Leicester go on to win the title, not to mention his discipline.
[ad_pod id=’yume-vid’ align=’left’]
Similar to Ashley Williams at Swansea, when the ball enters the Leicester penalty area its invariably Morgan’s head that meets it, but moreso he displays the same kind of leadership qualities on the pitch, corralling his team-mates and setting an example.
You only have to look back to mid-January and Leicester’s game away at Spurs as evidence of Morgan’s ability. Keeping Harry Kane quiet is no mean feat at the best of times but is even tougher when said striker is at home and on a 13 goals in 14 games streak. However Morgan’s imposing, muscular presence was enough that day to keep the England man off the scoresheet, his stubborn refusal to give up any room in the penalty area good enough to help his side to victory following a late winner from fellow central defender, Huth. Similar dominance of Chelsea’s Diego Costa in December also sticks in the mind.
Playing in the third tier of English football with Forest just 10 years ago, Morgan exemplifies that lower league spirit that personifies this Leicester side. Vardy’s rise from non-league football may be the more dramatic and romantic story, but Morgan’s steady presence and consistent performances for both Forest and Leicester are also noteworthy. Like many central-defenders, Morgan has matured into the role, his physical attributes still prominent, but joined by a better reading of the game. The player is now as able to use his brain as his muscular frame to dominate and frustrate opposing strikers.
The quintessential jovial giant, Morgan’s physique might be that of heavyweight boxer but his character and personality are far less confrontational. Roundly praised by team-mates past and present, his role in the dressing-room at the King Power is as crucial as his striker-quelling abilities. And whilst his team-mates were off on warm-weather training following defeat at the Emirates, Leicester’s captain stayed at home to help run his half-term soccer school for local kids, testament to his professionalism, character and all round ‘good guy’ nature.
If he can keep the niceties off the pitch – although only one yellow card all season suggests a similar restraint – and maintain his dominance on it, Leicester will stand an excellent chance of going one better than being mere Premier League contenders, and actually win it. It would be a remarkable end to a story-book season, and few would deserve to conclude this fairytale than Leicester’s captain fantastic.
[ad_pod id=’writeforus’ align=’center’]
[survey_monkey id=28NGY39]