Leicester City has been home to some incredibly thrilling players throughout the years, whether it was in the Premier League or the Championship. However, there have also been players who have gone unnoticed during their time donning the blue and white kit, for various reasons.
FLW’s Leicester fan pundit, Jamie Thorpe, has compiled a list of the eight most underrated players of the century for the Foxes. Now, labeling a six-time league title winner and a Champions League victor as “underrated” might seem strange to some, but when it comes to their time at Leicester City, it becomes more understandable.
One player who fits into this category is Esteban Cambiasso. Although he had won numerous Serie A titles with Inter Milan and triumphed in the Champions League, as well as La Liga with Real Madrid, his status as a cult hero at Leicester often goes unnoticed by fans of other clubs. Cambiasso played a pivotal role in keeping the team afloat during one of the greatest relegation escapes in league history.
Cambiasso may have retired from the game, but the next player on the list, Jeffrey Schlupp, still plays in the English Premier League for Crystal Palace. Schlupp, who came through Leicester’s academy, spent seven seasons with the first team. While he was never a constant presence in the starting lineup, he still starts games in the Premier League for Palace, which suggests he may have been underrated during his time at Leicester.
Jamie Vardy, Leicester’s star striker, is a household name due to his many accomplishments, such as breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record for consecutive Premier League games with a goal and his thunderous strikes against Liverpool. However, Thorpe argues that Vardy was underrated by England, believing that if the national team had played both Vardy and Harry Kane without pushing Vardy to the wing, England could have fared better.
Leonardo Ulloa, another striker, played an instrumental role in Leicester’s Premier League title triumph under Claudio Ranieri. While he may not have scored double figures in goals during the campaign, his holdup play and overall contribution to the team were invaluable. Thorpe believes that Ulloa’s significance in the title win is often overlooked.
Matty James, a Manchester United academy graduate who spent nearly a decade at Leicester, unfortunately missed out on the Premier League triumph due to long-term injury. Although injuries prevented him from reaching his true potential, James had a brilliant debut season in the Premier League for Leicester and showcased his talent before his setbacks.
Paul Gallagher, who signed with Leicester in 2009, left the club just a season before they won the Premier League. Known for his exceptional long-range strikes, Gallagher often went unnoticed despite his spectacular goals.
Marc Albrighton, another key player in Leicester’s iconic 2015/16 squad, played a crucial role alongside Riyad Mahrez. While Mahrez received the majority of the acclaim, Albrighton’s partnership with Jamie Vardy was invaluable. Albrighton’s ability to deliver precise crosses into the box was unmatched.
Lastly, the top spot on the list belongs to Wes Morgan, the captain of Ranieri’s remarkable 4-4-2 side. Thorpe describes him as a “rock” in the defense and highlights his leadership qualities that played a massive role in Leicester’s title triumph.
In conclusion, Leicester City has had a multitude of players who have been overlooked or underrated for various reasons, despite their significant contributions to the team’s success.
