sport news Leicester's top flight promotion party is set for a nasty hangover as points ... trends now
Even the sweetest champagne can cause a painful hangover and despite regaining their Premier League status, Leicester City may all too soon experience the morning after the night before.
A season that could end with 100 points and the Championship title is cause for much celebration, but the problem is that the euphoria may not last too long.
In his first management job in English football, Enzo Maresca has delivered on the brief he accepted last summer and there will be a party atmosphere for the final two fixtures against Preston and Blackburn.
After promotion was confirmed by Leeds' 4-0 defeat at QPR on Friday, there was an impromptu knees-up at Maresca's home for several players and members of the Italian's coaching staff.
Others gathered at Hamza Choudhury's place. They still reported for training on Saturday and the squad and coaching team enjoyed a celebratory breakfast before starting the session.
Enzo Maresca has delivered on his brief of leading Leicester back to the Premier League
The manager and some of his players celebrate winning promotion after Leeds' loss to QPR
The team enjoyed a celebratory breakfast before getting back to training ahead of final games
But the Foxes risk a hefty points deduction after being charged with breaking spending rules and that could have a significant impact on their Premier League campaign before it has even begun.
They recorded losses of nearly £90million in 2022-23. When Leicester's wage bill was similar to the club's turnover but did not deliver Champions League football in 2020 or 2021, the damage was done.
Had they failed to win promotion this season, a similar penalty may have been imposed in the Championship and the consequences of that do not bear thinking about.
Leicester have seen the financial turmoil that engulfed other Midlands clubs like Derby and West Brom in recent seasons and returning to the top flight immediately should, at least, allow them to avoid such a scenario.
To reduce the chance of further punishment by the Premier League, players are likely to be sold this summer, with key midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall attracting interest from Brighton, Fulham and Brentford.
He is valued at about £30m and as a homegrown player, the 25-year-old's transfer fee could be added to the balance sheet as pure profit — crucial for staying within profitability and sustainability regulations. Fellow youth products like Choudhury, Sammy Braybrooke and Ben Nelson could also raise vital funds if they were sold, much as it would upset supporters to see local lads leave.
High earners like Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi are likely to leave on free transfers. Leicester are keen to retain Jannik Vestergaard and Jamie Vardy but both may have to accept reduced terms — though there is cautious optimism that Vardy, arguably the greatest player in the history of the club, will extend his stay beyond his 38th birthday.
Vardy
