6 REASONS LEICESTER CITY FANS SHOULD BE BUZZING FOR 2022

A look ahead to the new year for Leicester City as the club looks to continue its growth and development both on and off the pitch.

The new year is almost upon us, meaning it is a time for both reflection and looking ahead.

2021 was a year where Leicester City made history, lifting the FA Cup for the first time ever. They added to their trophy haul three months later, lifting the Community Shield.

Although there was disappointment with City again missing out on a place in the Champions League on the final day of the campaign.

The year also saw the return of fans to stadiums following a whole season being played behind closed doors.

The final game of 2021 was also a memorable one as City overcame the odds to come out as 1-0 winners over Liverpool on Tuesday night.

Looking ahead, the new year could have a lot in store for Brendan Rodgers ’ men as they aim to continue their development both on and off the pitch.

Here are six reasons why the year could be a big one for City, and why fans should be excited for the 12 months that lie ahead.

Local lads doing good

The game against Liverpool saw two local academy graduates show what they can do with performances that caught the eye.

Both Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Luke Thomas have had different journeys into the first team over the last few seasons but have established themselves as key members of Brendan Rodgers’ squad.

Dewsbury-Hall spent last season out on loan with Championship side Luton Town, earning rave reviews from Hatters’ fans, while Thomas was thrown into the action in City’s first team at the end of the 2019/20 campaign.

The two lads from Shepshed and Syston were two of the standout performers in the win over Liverpool, Dewsbury-Hall providing the assist for Ademola Lookman’s winner, while Thomas kept Mo Salah at bay on the right-wing.

Having only broken into the starting XI in recent weeks, Dewsbury-hall has quickly established himself as a key player.

Thomas is now also arguably first-choice left-back, with James Justin facing serious competition from the 20-year-old when he returns to fitness.

For fans there is nothing better than seeing local lads successfully making an impact in the team, if the final game of 2021 is anything to go by, then City fans will see that a lot more in 2022.

Two returnees

It’s fair to say that 2021 has handed City more than their fair share of injury problems. But it shouldn’t be far into the new year when two of the long-term absentees could return.

Full-back James Justin ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the FA Cup win over Brighton back in February after an impressive season up to that point.

The 23-year-old has undergone surgery and 10 months of rehabilitation and recovery but is now on the verge of returning to action after taking part in first-team training over the last few weeks.

The next step for Justin will be to build up his match fitness with the club’s U23 team before making his first-team return.

Another big blow to City came in pre-season when Wesley Fofana suffered a fractured fibula and ankle ligament damage in the friendly vs Villarreal.

Fofana’s absence has been felt this season, especially given the extent of the defensive injuries that City have suffered. He was a standout performer in the 2020/21 season, helping City to a fifth place finish and the FA Cup win.

In what would be another massive boost, the Frenchman is closing in on a return, with February now earmarked as the month when Fofana could make his comeback.

King Power Stadium redevelopment plan

It’s not just matters on the pitch that will have City fans excited for the new year. Following the opening of the new Seagrave training centre last season, City have now pushed forward with redevelopment plans for the King Power Stadium.

Plans released earlier this year showed an extra tier being added to a stand as well as a complete redevelopment of the surrounding area, including a hotel and an indoor arena.

The plans, which have now been submitted to the council, will see the capacity of the stadium increased to 40,000 with an impressive curved roof added.

It is expected that, should the plans be accepted, then work is expected to start on the expansion in 2022, with a completion date for the expansion of the stadium pencilled in for 2024.

Along with the new training ground the redevelopment of the stadium is another sign of the development and growth of the club.

With work potentially starting in the new year, the development will again become more visible.

European possibilities

While the drop down into the Europa Conference League is not something that City fans would have wanted, a potential positive could come from it.

City are now among the favourites to reach the latter stages of the new competition and have a real possibility of lifting the trophy.

Should that happen it will be City’s first European title, and will earn them a place in next season’s Europa League. Having won all that there is to win in the domestic game, 2022 could give the club the chance to add a European trophy to their cabinet.

City kick off their Europa Conference League campaign when they take on Danish side Randers in a two-legged play-off in February.

FA Cup defence

Having made history by lifting the FA Cup for the first time last season, 2022 will give City the chance to do something that they have never done before - defend the trophy.

That day in May at Wembley Stadium is one that won’t be forgotten by City fans up and down the country, as Youri Tielemans’ second half stunner gave them a 1-0 win over Chelsea.

It’s perhaps poetic then that City kick off their defence against Claudio Ranieri’s Watford in what will now be their first game of the new year.

Having waited 137 years to lift the trophy for the first time, City will be looking to make it a wait of just 12 months this time around.

King Power atmosphere

The final game of 2021 was one to be remembered and created a lot of anticipation for the new year, despite the injury concerns around Brendan Rodgers’ squad over the next few weeks.

But it wasn’t just the 1-0 win over Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool that made it such a special night.

The atmosphere around the King Power Stadium also went up a notch as fans could sense the difference the support made.

It built throughout the match, from Kasper Schmeichel’s penalty save to Ademola Lookman’s goal and then in the closing minutes as Rodgers’ men saw out the win.

The second half was reminiscent of the atmosphere during games in the 2015/16 season and during the Champions League nights the following campaign.

A repeat of that during games in 2022 will only be a good thing and will help to create a lot more memorable days at the stadium in the new year.

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