Since Brendan Rodgers arrived as manager at Leicester City in February 2019, there has been a notable trend in the Foxes’ goal difference. Vivek Julka investigates.
How has Leicester City’s goal difference fared under Brendan Rodgers?
November 16, 2022 by Leave a Comment
Leicester City defender Kranthove on trial with Sunderland
January 28, 2020 by 1 Comment
By Luke Pawley
Leicester City defender Justen Kranthove is on trial with Sunderland, after a number of young players were told they were free to look for another club.
The 19-year-old Dutchman played 60 minutes as Sunderland Under-23s lost 3-2 to Wigan Athletic Under-23s in the Premier League Cup.
Kranthove, who joined Leicester from Dutch amateur side AFC ’34 in July 2018, conceded a penalty and scored a goal in his debut outing as a Sunderland triallist.
“A mixed night for the triallist,” wrote the Sunderland Echo in their player ratings article following last night’s match.
“Was having a decent game until he conceded a penalty. Made an impact at the other end too after scoring Sunderland’s second goal. Subbed around the hour mark. 6/10.”
The Foxes’ youth ranks are strong in central defensive areas, meaning Kranthove has struggled for game time this season due to the form of players such as Darnell Johnson, Calvin Ughelumba and Darragh O’Connor.
Kranthove was a regular for Leicester City’s Under-18 side last season and put in a number of impressive displays, but struggled to make the step up and earn a place in the Under-23 squad.
A source close to Leicester City has confirmed that Kranthove is one of ‘a handful’ of young players who have been told that they are free to look for another club.
Under-18s defender Camron Gbadebo was another of the players in question, and following a trial at Watford earlier this season, the 17-year-old recently announced that he had signed for Manchester City.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old defender Lukáš Hušek and striker Raúl Uche, 22, have both left the club on a permanent basis, joining Sparta Prague and Real Valladolid respectively.
Foxes midfielder Leon James receives Thailand Under-19 call-up
March 9, 2019 by Leave a Comment
By Luke Pawley
Leicester City midfielder Leon James has been called up to the Thailand Under-19 squad for the first time.
The 17-year-old has been invited to play for his country in the VFF U19 International Youth Tournament in Vietnam, which will take place from March 23-30.
Leicester City midfielder Leon James in action. (Photo: Kit James)
James will link up with the squad on March 14 for a training camp at Bangkok Thonburi University before heading out to Vietnam on March 21 for the tournament.
Having been born in the UK to Thai parents, James holds dual nationality and has played for Leicester City since the age of six. He signed a two-year scholarship in 2017.
“We’re really proud and honoured for the international call-up,” said Leon’s father, Kit.
“For Leon to have the opportunity to represent his country is a dream come true.”
Leicester’s run to this season’s FA Youth Cup quarter-finals saw James impress on multiple occasions at the King Power Stadium and his performances have now earned him deserved recognition from the Thai Football Federation.
Celtic fan’s view on Brendan Rodgers’ leaving to join Leicester City: ‘They have bagged themselves a great coach’
February 27, 2019 by Leave a Comment
By Samuel Gill
A die-hard Celtic fan who lives and works in Leicester is gutted at the departure of manager Brendan Rodgers but believes the Foxes have made a shrewd appointment.
![Bernard Chan [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]](https://i0.wp.com/leicestershirepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/rodgers.jpg?resize=610%2C407&ssl=1)
Brendan Rodgers (PIC: Bernard Chan [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]
Celtic supporter Chris Johnston said: “I’m absolutely gutted, he’s done great things. He’s fantastic.”
Chris meets frequently with other Celtic supporters to watch televised matches at Duffy’s in Leicester and said that some may see Rodgers as a traitor but for him that is not the case.
“A lot of supporters feel like he’s a traitor, I don’t think that personally but it does leave a bad taste when the treble-treble was still on,” said Chris.
Despite being disappointed, he admitted that Rodgers couldn’t compete on the limited budget that the Scottish champions had.
“Leicester have bagged themselves a great coach and the fact is that Rodgers can’t compete at the highest level with the limited budget Celtic have.”
Leicester City FC owner dies in helicopter crash outside King Power Stadium
October 27, 2018 by 1 Comment
By Tyler Arthur and Ollie Heppenstall
UPDATE – Wednesday: Leicestershire’s Senior Coroner has now formally confirmed that Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was one of the passengers who died in the tragic helicopter crash on Saturday night. The process of identifying the remaining four passengers is underway.
UPDATE – 10am Monday: As mentioned in the previous update we now know everyone who was on board – we would like to specifically mention that Srivaddhanaprabha’s daughter was not in the helicopter, as was previously reported.
BREAKING – 22:30pm: Leicestershire Police have released the names of the other four passengers in the helicopter when it crashed yesterday night. Two of the chairman’s staff, Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, were on board as were pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Isabela Lechowiz.
BREAKING – 22:05pm: BBC news confirms the death of Leicester City FC chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in last night’s helicopter crash in the King Power stadium’s player’s car park.
UPTADE – 15:20pm: Following a Leicestershire Police request to be patient and to resist speculating about the circumstances surrounding last night’s incident, the live updates will cease until we hear of any more concrete details from the relevant authorities.
UPDATE – 14:45PM Sunday: Sky Sports are reporting that the Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have arrived at the crash site and are taking charge of investigations.
BREAKING – 13:13PM Sunday: French media outlet CNEWS are reporting the death of Leicester City FC owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. More to follow.
UPDATE – 12:50pm Sunday: It is being reported by BBC sport that the EFL are debating whether to postpone The Foxes’ Carabao Cup last-16 tie against fellow Premier League side Southampton next Tuesday night. The news follows the postponement of Leicester City Women’s game today.
UPDATE – 12pm Sunday: It is being reported that a statement is to be released today, and that the helicopter crashed due to a failure shortly after take off from the centre circle of the King Power pitch.
UPDATE – 10am Sunday: It is being reported by both BBC Leicester and Sky Sports News that owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was on board the helicopter along with four other people; including the two pilots and his daughter.
UPDATE – 9am Sunday: It is being reported that Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was on board the helicopter at the time of the crash.
More updates to follow.
Original Story – 12:30am Sunday October 28
Shock gripped the city tonight after the Leicester City FC owner’s helicopter lost control and crashed into an adjacent car park following their 1-1 draw with West Ham.
It is feared that the helicopter may have been carrying the club’s chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who usually leaves from home games via the aircraft.
It is not yet known who was on the helicopter, but fans outside the stadium all feared for the worst, specifically for Srivaddhanaprabha and his family, who sometimes attend the games.
The incident took place at around 9pm, by which time most fans had either left the area or were in one of the numerous local pubs, where many reported they saw the breaking news announcement.
Shocked: Crowds remained outside the stadium for hours after the crash occurred.
One fan said: “I saw the images that they were showing on Sky News, and so I rushed back to the stadium to see what was happening, there was still smoke when I arrived.”
Nathan Doore, 21, was on his way back from work just as the incident took place: “I was driving past the King Power and I saw the helicopter, it looked like it was struggling to stay in the air.
“It came down outside the stadium, and went up in flames instantly, as soon as it hit the floor. From what I saw, it’s almost inevitable that nobody on board survived.”
There have been numerous posts on social media ever since the crash occurred, some speculating and even images showing the flames and smoke from the crash site. Multiple individuals and other football clubs shared their support online, including their Saturday night opponents.
Twitter user @mrgeoffpeters captured the awful, chaotic scenes after the crash:
Leicester local Jamie Wrafter, 46, said: “I had seen the blue lights before the match, and straight after, so I didn’t think much of it at first – it’s always like that when West Ham come down.
“When I saw all of the police I thought it was just [away fans] kicking off, and there had already been a scrap earlier, but once I saw the fire engines that’s when I knew something was wrong.”
The Leicester fan of many years said that a local woman said something to him about a helicopter ‘out of control’. Shortly after, his wife called him from home having seen the news, and told him that Srivaddhanaprabha’s aircraft had gone down.
“It’s horrible. I just hope for the least casualties possible. It doesn’t matter who is on board for it to be awful, it’s a helicopter crash, but I really hope that it wasn’t Vichai, or his family,” Jamie continued, emotionally.
“They’re the best owners we’ve ever had. We won the league with these guys. Vichai is Leicester.”
Leicester City tweeted to confirm that they are working with Leicestershire Police, and stated that ‘the club will issue a statement once further information has been established.’
Lockdown: The police cordoned off the site of the crash immediately. [Featured image Courtesy of the BBC]
