Leicester’s backbone

Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have taken the individual awards, but here are five unsung heroes for Leicester…

Claudio Ranieri’s players have surprised everyone to win the Premier League, and with so much attention on PFA Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez and Football Writers’ pick Jamie Vardy, it is easy to forget the supporting cast.

The Leicester starting XI has mainly consisted of eight players who were present last season when the club avoided relegation, most of whom were signed for modest fees.

We look at five players who have formed Leicester’s backbone and ask why their previous clubs were willing to let them leave…

Robert Huth

Former clubs: Chelsea, Middlesbrough, Stoke

Transfer fee: £3m from Stoke City on June 24, 2015

After making 143 appearances for Stoke, Huth moved to Leicester in a Deadline Day loan move in February 2015 and played a crucial part in helping the club maintain their Premier League status.

After making the move permanent last summer, Huth has been one of the league’s most dependable centre-backs this season, missing just one league match.

The 31-year-old ranks in the top 10 for blocks, clearances and headed clearances in the Premier League this season.

What they said

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes (in 2015): “Robert’s a very, very good defender. The way Leicester play is a perfect situation for Robert. He’s a leader as well and I’m sure he has a huge influence in the dressing room. It was unfortunate that in his time here under me, for the most part he was injured. He was out for a long time unfortunately and when he got back he struggled to break through.

“In the end, he wanted to play in the Premier League and at the time I allowed him to go to Leicester. I was trying to get him game time. The idea was for probably him to go to the Championship but in fairness to Rob and his career there was an opportunity for him to go to Leicester. As it was it turned out to be a good opportunity in the end for him – and we got decent money.”

Marc Albrighton

Former clubs: Aston Villa, Wigan (loan)

Transfer fee: Undisclosed fee from Aston Villa on May 23, 2014

Albrighton was an Aston Villa academy product but struggled to make a significant impact during his time under five different managers despite getting regular first-team football from the 2010/11 campaign onwards.

However, Leicester took a chance on the winger and signed him before the start of last season. Under …

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