MY ACCOUNT
Christian Fuchs’ overriding memory of Leicester City’s title celebrations in 2016 are Jamie Vardy’s tears… at having to move house.
Leicester won their first Premier League title on May 2, 2016, when Tottenham drew with Chelsea.
Seven years on, the Foxes are scrapping at the wrong end of the table, having drawn 2-2 with Everton on Monday in a relegation six-pointer.
Vardy scored against Everton, marking his second league goal in as many appearances after only striking once before in the top flight this term.
The 36-year-old might still play a key role in Leicester ensuring safety, and was one of their talismanic figures during that glorious 2015-16 campaign.
Indeed, the Leicester squad gathered to watch the Chelsea-Tottenham game at the striker’s home, and it was there that the title celebrations started, as Fuchs recalls.
He told Stats Perform: “Jamie was crying because he knew he had to move out right away the next day! Because now everybody knew where he was living. The whole town, Everybody was there.
“The emotions, when you see the video right after the final whistle, what happened was insane.
“But it was between crying, screaming, laughing, players on the floor, people on the floor. It was just manic, it was crazy.”
Fuchs stressed that it was not until Leicester were mathematically champions that the Foxes squad allowed themselves to bask in their achievement.
“A big secret to success is being humble, even if you are five points ahead,” Fuchs said.
“We stayed humble. And we thought okay, we’re not the favourites even though we’re so close. Eventually we made it.”
Claudio Ranieri’s remarkable work with Leicester’s squad holds a special place in Fuchs’ heart.
“His calmness, first of all, his understanding for individual needs and situations of players,” Fuchs said when asked what made Ranieri such a special coach.
“He treated you as a player, not just okay, you’re number five, your number 12. Whatever it is, he really took care of us, understanding that if I give my players the freedom off the field, and I trust them, then they will perform better for me on the field.
“It was kept very simple, our football back then was so simple. Basically, protect the goal and kick it long. Find Vardy on the break.
“But this personal level that he really took interest in. Who are you? What’s your family like? Who’s your family? That went a long way with me.”
