When Eden Hazard scored THAT goal against Tottenham to equalize in the 83rd minute at Stamford Bridge, a city 102 miles away erupted in joy. It was a moment that all but sealed one of the greatest fairytales in sports, helping a team defy staggering 5000:1 odds.
No one could have fathomed Leicester City winning the Premier League in 2016. It was supposed to be a ‘transition year’ for the big clubs of England: Manchester United still reeling from the post-Sir Alex Ferguson blues, Manchester City underwhelming with Manuel Pellegrini at the helm, and Liverpool just beginning to find their rhythm under Jürgen Klopp. Chelsea, too, was in disarray after firing José Mourinho.
With the heavyweights in turmoil, many expected it to be the perfect season for North London clubs Arsenal and Tottenham to launch a title challenge—but they ran straight into the most unexpected hurdle in Premier League history.
Leicester City’s unforgettable campaign
There were no ready-made big names in the Leicester squad, and Claudio Ranieri was realistically tasked with avoiding relegation and perhaps finishing mid-table when the Thai-backed board outlined his expectations ahead of the 2015/16 season.
But from the very start, Leicester looked strong. “Maybe it’s just one of those good runs,” some thought, when, midway through the campaign, the Foxes were tied with Arsenal at 39 points.
But their run never stopped. Throughout the season, Leicester lost just three times—twice to Arsenal and once to Liverpool. They drew 12 games overall, but most importantly, they won when it mattered, ultimately securing the title with a 10-point margin over Arsenal and 11 over Tottenham, who at one point seemed certain of finishing in the top two.
An extraordinary group of players
Ranieri did not overcomplicate his tactics. In fact, he played a rather simple brand of football, relying heavily on teamwork, defending in numbers, and committing players forward when it was time to counter-attack.
N’Golo Kanté, who would go on to become one of the best defensive midfielders in the world, was a general in Ranieri’s midfield, playing a key role in winning the ball back.
Up front, the duo of Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy, with their trickery and pace respectively, terrorized Premier League defenses for an entire season, scoring a combined 41 goals in the league.
The other revelations of the squad, including the likes of Shinji Okazaki, Danny Drinkwater, Marc Albrighton, and more, simply cannot be ignored. But with a decade having passed since they first came together, where are they now?
Kasper Schmeichel
Kasper Schmeichel was the first-choice goalkeeper during Leicester’s title-winning season and one of the most pivotal figures behind their victory. He played for Leicester City until 2022, before joining Nice and then spending a year at Anderlecht. Currently, Schmeichel is playing for Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
Danny Simpson
Danny Simpson was a key right-back for Leicester in the 2015/16 season, making 30 Premier League appearances. However, after that season, he never quite reached those same heights again. Simpson went on to play for Huddersfield Town, Bristol City, and Macclesfield before retiring from football in 2024. Simpson also pursued a career in professional boxing, taking part in one bout against Danny Aarons in 2024. It ended in a split-draw.
Wes Morgan
A true definition of a leader, Wes Morgan embodied those qualities unlike anyone else in the squad. The Jamaican, who stayed with Leicester until 2021, also lifted the FA Cup title with them. He now serves as a club ambassador for Leicester City, engaging with fans and promoting the club’s values.
Christian Fuchs
Christian Fuchs played as a left-back and was known for his solid defensive skills. After becoming more of a sporadic presence at Leicester, the Austrian left the club in 2021 to join Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer (MLS). He has since transitioned into media work and charity engagements.
N’Golo Kanté
N’Golo Kanté played a pivotal role in Leicester City’s historic 2015–16 Premier League win before joining Chelsea in 2016. At Chelsea, he won multiple trophies, including the UEFA Champions League in 2021, and earned individual accolades for his defensive prowess. In 2023, Kanté moved to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad, where he continues to play while showcasing his enduring quality on the international stage.
Danny Drinkwater
Danny Drinkwater, a key figure in Leicester City’s 2015–16 Premier League triumph, joined Chelsea in 2017 but struggled to make an impact due to injuries and form issues. After a series of loan spells and challenges, including mental health struggles, he retired from professional football in 2023. Drinkwater has since transitioned into the construction industry, embracing a new chapter in his life while reflecting openly on his career highs and lows.
Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez, a key figure in Leicester City’s 2015–16 Premier League win, joined Manchester City in 2018, winning four Premier League titles, the FA Cup, three EFL Cups, and the UEFA Champions League in 2023. That same year, he moved to Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League.
Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy, a key player in Leicester City’s historic 2015–16 Premier League title win, remains with the club and continues to play a significant role despite their relegation to the Championship in 2023. Known for his consistency and work rate, he has extended his contract with Leicester until 2025 and remains crucial to their efforts to return to the Premier League. Having established himself as a club legend, Vardy has scored 142 goals in the English top division.
Shinji Okazaki
Shinji Okazaki contributed significantly as a forward during the title-winning campaign. After leaving Leicester in 2019, he played for Huesca and Cartagena in Spain and then joined Belgian club Sint Truden in 2022. The Japanese forward retired from professional football in 2024.
Marc Albrighton
Marc Albrighton has remained with Leicester City since their title win and continues to play an important role as a winger. He is known for his work ethic and versatility on the pitch.
Andy King
Andy King, a key midfielder during Leicester City’s 2015–16 title-winning season, spent his entire career at the club until 2020. He then had several loan spells before joining OH Leuven and later Bristol City. King retired from professional football in 2024.
Claudio Ranieri (Manager)
Claudio Ranieri, who led Leicester City to their historic Premier League title in 2016, managed the club until 2017. After his time at Leicester, he went on to manage several clubs, including Nantes in France (2017–2018), Roma in Italy (2019–2021), and Watford in England (2021–2022). Ranieri also had a stint at Cagliari in Italy (2022–2023). As of 2024, he made a surprising return to AS Roma for his third managerial stint at the club.
