Even a person who hates football can appreciate the immense once in a generation season that is currently unfolding in the EPL.
But will it be a once in a generation season? Or is it a sign of things to come?
Leicester has risen from the relegation scrap-heap to the nose bleed zone at the top of the table with Spurs chomping at their heels. The two clubs were disregarded at the beginning, but are now flipping the bird at Arsenal, Man City and all those who assumed the premiership was won before the season started.
Leicester and Spurs show the rest of the EPL the value of smart scouting, frugal buying and having a coach who place significance on a strong team work ethic rather than emphasising individual talents.
More A-League grand final:
» A-League Grand final scores and highlights
» Grand final player ratings
» Three big talking points from the grand final
» Match report
Individuals may win games but teams win titles. It could not be clearer than Leicester’s charge for the title led by the ever running N’Golo Kante. Seventy percent of the earth is covered by water. The rest is covered by Kante.
Another bargain basement buy, Riyad Mahrez, has shone and stolen games with his special talent. Ranieri picked him up from League two in France for a mere $400,000. He is now one of the most sought after players in Europe.
This highlights the value of smart scouting and finding players who fit into a club’s philosophy and add value to the team.
As fans, we hear endless rumours about the big club’s purchasing power. What ridiculous prices are going to pay for a player reputed to be just as good as the one they are replacing.
It’s refreshing to see players like Jamie Vardy, Mahrez and Kante dominating against the big clubs, proving that top player billing is not exclusive to the big clubs, but open to all willing to run their guts out for the team.
Like Leicester, Spurs can attribute this season’s success to a great coach in Maurico Pochettino, who values hard running and team work. Under Pochettino, high profile signings like Erik Lamela have started to achieve their potential in an environment where hard work is placed above individual talent.
Spurs are running on average 114kms per game as a team, sitting third in distance covered in the EPL. Pochettino’s high intensity philosophy is paying off defensively and offensively, and Spurs is the most complete team this season with Leicester.
Moreover, Spurs can boast bargain basement buys such as Eriksen, Dier, Alderweireld and Alli, proving once more the value of smart scouting over reckless spending, when compared to the dud players they splashed Bale’s transfer fee on.
The accepted wisdom has been that buying pricey name players will win you trophies. Leicester and Spurs prove that being smart and frugal will bring success and register a profit at the end of the season.
Manchester United have shown that money can’t buy success. Ironically, their talented youngsters are the players who are really making the difference like Marcus Rashford and Tim Fosu-Mensah.
Is it coincidental that Spurs scored three quick goals to win 3-0 in the minutes after Fosu-Mensah was subbed off? My case rests.
Spurs and Leicester should be successful for many years to come, and other clubs should change their philosophy and the way they do business in the transfer market.
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