Leicester City

Chris Forryan
Fan writer

When is three points for a win, not three points for a win? When it is six.

That is the number of points that Leicester could have - allegedly - been docked if the Premier League had got its way over the Profit and Sustainability case against us. But in getting their first win of the season, albeit off the pitch, the Foxes have avoided a points deduction following a similar case win against the English Football League last season.

A lot of other clubs and their fans have been whining that we got off through a loophole, but a lawyer discussing Leicester’s PSR case stated there is no such thing as a loophole, just badly written rules or laws. Those clubs that are moaning the most seem to be those who fear being in a relegation scrap with us. If the safety of their club is reliant on us getting docked points then I don’t hold out much hope for their survival.

Also, didn’t both Everton and Nottingham Forest appeal their charges? Don’t we all try to appeal things, parking tickets, speeding tickets and more. Maybe if these clubs spent as much on a good lawyer as they did on having a squad the size of a small village they might have suffered less too.

The messy scenario justifies the views of fans who wonder what those at the Premier League are doing.

But now it’s over to Steve Cooper and his on field plans. This is a weight lifted off the squads' shoulders, now he has to get his side of the deal right. Two good second half displays against Tottenham and Aston Villa show promise, but 90 minutes against Fulham showed the opposite.

As always with City, it’s going to be a long season.

Find more from Chris Forryan at Leicester Till I Die, external

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City took one point from their opening three Premier League games, but former Foxes defender Liam Moore believes it is "far too early" to be concerned about their performances under new manager Steve Cooper.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast, Moore said: "It is far too early for me. I think this international break has come at a good time. It allows all of the troops to get together and spend time either on the training pitch or on international duty.

"I believe that after this international break finishes, Leicester's season really starts. There will be hope to pick up a few points in the next block of four games.

"Six points or over would be an outstanding return from their next four fixtures. If you get four points from those four games, I think you have got to be pretty happy.

"I think you have got to play with the mindset that those points can come from anywhere. I'm all for setting goals, but I think it's a bit of a waste of time to map out where you are going to get points or struggle - that sets a mindset and a culture.

"It is good to set goals, ideally I think the manager should sit the boys down, say we want six points before the next international break and tell them to go out and do it."

Moore added: "I think everybody understands the situation the club has been in over the summer, where we are at and how we are building.

"At the minute, there is a lot to build on. It is not all doom and gloom."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

The Premier League's summer transfer window saw clubs spend almost £2bn in all.

Data from Footballtransfers.com, external shows the biggest net spend by a club - that’s all the money spent minus all that came in from sales - was Brighton.

The Seagulls had a net spend of £153.5m.

On the flip side, the club who generated the biggest net summer profit on transfers was Manchester City, who made £115.8m, thanks in large part to the sale of Julian Alvarez.

Leicester had a net spend of £46m.

Former Foxes striker Matty Fryatt believes Leicester City's successful appeal against an alleged breach of the Premier League Profit and Sustainability (PSR) rules is a "massive win off the pitch" for the club.

Speaking on the latest episode of BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast, Fryatt said: "They had a cloud hanging over them.

"The fact is you have got to take care of your own business and get the points on the pitch, but they have been relieved of the possible five to 10 point deduction.

"You have got to hand it to the lawyers - they have been really clever. The devil is in the detail and, if it isn't written in the rules, Leicester have played it really well. They haven't done anything wrong with their accounting, which is governed by the rules.

"Other clubs may feel differently away from it, especially Nottingham Forest and Everton.

"It does galvanise teams - we saw that last season with both Everton and Forest. It seemed to bring those teams together, so it should give them a massive boost and instil even more belief.

"The pressure is on. There is now nothing to distract them, and there have been several signings coming in, so it is all about how they are going to perform and not the potential excuses."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, PA Media

We asked you for your views on how Leicester have started the season - and where you thought they might finish.

In our quick poll on Wednesday, almost 80% thought the Foxes would avoid relegation, with 47% of all who took part believing Steve Cooper's side would finish between 11th and 16th.

Here are some of your comments:

Maks: There's more fight in this group than we've seen in a while, which is pleasantly surprising. A couple of small tweaks to our tactics and we will be a competitive force to stay up.

Stephen: It will be a struggle to stay in the Premier League. Naive defending at times and a lack of creativity going forward. I asked those sat around me, is it better to be top of the Championship or bottom of the Premier League? Most agreed top of Championship as the feel-good factor when leaving the ground is high on people's priority list. Seventeenth at best.

Paul: Satisfied with our incomings but disappointed we couldn't offload a couple of others. I am concerned with the fact Cooper appears to think playing three defensive midfielders will promote attacking football.

Reuben: One really good thing: we won't be getting a points deduction. Bad thing: we only seem capable of playing against the big teams and only in the second half when we're already losing.

Carl: Cooper needs to set his team up to pass the ball forward and not sideways and backwards all the time. The players need belief and encouragement to play more on the front foot. It is so very frustrating to watch at the moment, especially when we have such talent in forward areas. We look a Premier League team when we pass quickly and forwards!

Dan Roan, Simon Stone and Tom Mallows
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester were charged for allegedly breaching Rule E.49 of the Premier League PSR regulations because their three-year rolling losses of £129.4m, up to the end of the 2022-23 season, were over the allowed threshold of £105m.

Following their relegation from the Premier League in May the Foxes officially ceased to be a top-flight side when they transferred their share to Luton in mid-June 2023.

Leicester successfully argued that because their 2022-23 accounting period ended on 30 June, they were not longer bound by Premier League rules and so could not be found in breach.

The Foxes had earlier changed the end of their accounting period from 30 May to 30 June, though the commission said there was not "anything untoward" with the move and it complied with accounting rules.

Technically, the Premier League could appeal, but it is unlikely because the bar is so high on what they need to prove.

The issue is with the wording of the Premier League’s own rules rather than the validity of the judgement.

It has created a situation where relegated clubs are no longer part of the Premier League if their three-year accounting period ends on 30 June. The ruling says because of that, the Premier League has no authority to charge clubs because they are not members.

The league could re-write the rules to make them tighter and less ambiguous, avoiding a similar situation in the future.

Read the full analysis of Leicester's PSR case

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City right-back Ricardo Pereira is yet to play any minutes in the Premier League this season and former Foxes winger Matt Piper believes the Portugal international "has got to be in the team" going forward.

"We are only three games in, but we talked about the rhythm in this team earlier on this season and it is not quite there," he told BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast.

"We are all shouting for Ricardo to be in the team. At some point the manager has got to give him the opportunity at Premier League level, whether it is in the centre or at full-back.

"You only stay in the Premier League with your best players - and he is definitely one of our best players."

Kate Blakemore from the Leicester Till I Die podcast added: "I agree with Pipes. He is one of the couple of world-class players that we have. He shone last year in the Championship and played in quite a few different roles.

"I think it was the game at Elland Road where I thought he was absolutely superb, when he moved into the middle and took them on. I would love to see him do that because he can defend and put the tackles in, but he is also so mobile and agile to move about the pitch and take the ball forward. We know he has got a couple of goals in his locker as well.

"If Steve Cooper still isn't playing Ricardo, then the fans are going to get on that and be frustrated if the results aren't coming.

"Cooper did say he watched every game of ours last season - so surely he can see how crucial Ricardo is to us in all areas."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

The dust has settled on the transfer window, the Premier League is well and truly back, and we are into the first international break of 2024-25.

So we want you to predict where Leicester City will finish in the Premier League this season - thinking about the start to the campaign and summer transfer business.

Submit your prediction here

And also, please tell us what is the one thing - good or bad - you have learned about the Foxes so far in the campaign?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Premier League sources were incredulous last night at the independent panel's decision to rule they cannot take action against Leicester City over potential profit and sustainability breaches.

Effectively, the ruling confirmed that because Leicester officially ceased to be a Premier League side when their share certificate was handed over in mid-June 2023, the league did not have the power to take action against them over the accounting period that ended on 30 June 2023.

The Premier League can appeal, but the bar is high and what would they be appealing against? The ruling indicates the wording in the Premier League's regulations is not legally sound.

That will certainly be looked at - but what does it mean for Nottingham Forest, who were also not a Premier League club for part of the period they were deducted points for last season, and also potential breaches in the latest set of accounts that clubs are due to present to the league in December.

Beyond that, if the Premier League cannot make this stick - and it is a relatively straightforward case - what does it mean for their chances of a successful hearing against Manchester City later this year?

We asked for your reaction to Leicester City avoiding a points deduction this season, after the club successfully appealed an alleged breach of the Premier League Profit and Sustainability (PSR) rules.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Andy: A just decision. We sold top quality players, got relegated, and fought on the pitch to get ourselves back to the Premier League. We are miles behind all of the clubs in the Premier League, who have been able to retain their squads and improve them. Let's banish the rules and let results on the pitch determine each team's fate.

Rich: I'm very pleased. It has been ridiculous having this hanging over us for months. If this decision had been made a lot earlier, it might have had a real effect on our recruitment of not only players but the management too.

Liz: I'm so happy - this has just been hanging over us. Financial Fair Play needs to be looked at and modified. It is so unfair to the mid- and lower-table clubs who are trying to at least vaguely compete with the top six. Now we can concentrate on staying up!

Tony: We don't know the full details, but it appears to be a technicality. I'm glad because the rules seemed to be all about stopping teams outside of the 'Big Six' from competing with the 'Big Six'.

JG: As a Leicester fan, I find it embarrassing. Due to incompetence, we breached the rules. However, instead of accepting it, it seems we tried to swindle our way out of it. Legally we may have a point, but morally I think it is quite disrespectful to the other teams.

Nick: A decade on from showing that smaller clubs could be successful on the pitch, this is a massive victory. Hopefully this allows Leicester City, and other ambitious teams, to compete with the big boys once again.

Kay: Fantastic! A victory for the 'little' clubs. It's about time the playing field was made equal. Come on you Blues.

Leicester have won an appeal against a decision that could have led to a points deduction for an alleged breach of Premier League Profit and Sustainability (PSR) rules.

An independent panel found the Premier League did not have the jurisdiction to punish the club.

Tell us how you feel about this news here, external

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Leicester City have been charged by the Football Association after their 2-1 Premier League defeat by Aston Villa on Saturday.

In a statement, the FA said: "It's alleged that the club failed to ensure its players did not behave in an improper way around the 93rd minute."

The Foxes have until 5 September to provide a response.

After the match, referee David Coote left the field to a chorus of boos from the Leicester fans, who felt the hosts should have been awarded a late chance to equalise from the penalty spot when Ezri Konsa upended Jamie Vardy - although the veteran striker appeared to be just offside when Bilal El Khannouss played the ball.

"It's a tough one to take," said boss Steve Cooper, who was also unhappy with Coote's decision to award Villa a free-kick for Oliver Skipp's challenge on Ollie Watkins before the visitors' opener.

"It's something you have to contend with, but you take a deep breath and accept that’s how it is.

"We’ve seen more than enough in the three performances to feel like we're going to be OK [in the Premier League]. We’re disappointed with the defeat, but if we stay as we are and improve in areas we want to, we’ll be all right."

Chris Forryan
Fan writer

First of all this week I want to say rest in peace to former Foxes player Sol Bamba. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

On the field and after defeat to Aston Villa, Steve Cooper was not happy with the standard of refereeing in the Premier League, claiming: "Everybody in the stadium would have got booked if the ref had got round to it. I’ve accepted refereeing is where it is."

Why is he surprised, it’s not as if anyone in the blue of Leicester was expecting anything different. Blaming the ref is an easy cop out and I do believe Aston Villa were playing under the same officials.

I do hope Cooper isn’t turning into Rodgers 2.0 and starting to blame everything but himself?

We have played 90 mins of really good football so far this season in the league, unfortunately that was two lots of 45 out of three games.

Cooper claims the plan was always to turn to a more attacking option during the game. Err Steve, could we not have started that way? Cooper’s away record in the Premier League is abysmal so it looks like we will have to rely on home form.

Away to Fulham, well they were simply the better team, we weren't at the races and they looked like what they are - an established Premier League team with an established manager and squad. They deserved the three points.

Against Spurs we had a striker on the wing, and when we made subs our best winger ended up playing as a striker? Against Villa, a home game, we started with three defensive midfielders.

It doesn’t matter where you play them, they are what they are. Defensive midfielders. We are at home, what was the plan? Yes we changed things and when we finally made the subs we brought on some attacking players but by then we were two down.

We must start being proactive and not reactive.

Find more from Chris Forryan at Leicester Till I Die, external

The latest episode of When You're Smiling has dropped - and it is all about Leicester City's current midfield set-up, after manager Steve Cooper played two central defensive midfielders, with Wilfred Ndidi in the central attacking midfielder role, against Aston Villa.

There is also an exclusive interview with new arrival Bilal El Khannouss on completing his £20m move from Genk and making his debut for the Foxes.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions.

Lawrence asked: I know it's only been three games but how do think the three promoted teams have fared so far? Do you think any will stay up now?

Phil answered: Not seen anything to change my mind yet, Lawrence, although the way teams like Everton have started will give them all hope.

I fancy Ipswich and Leicester to pick up points at home to give themselves a chance, but I do worry about Southampton's passing style in the Premier League – and I know I'm not the first to say that.

Brentford showed exactly how to play against them by pressing them into mistakes as they passed it around at the back on Saturday and you can be sure others will follow suit.

Southampton manager Russell Martin is unmoved and will stick to his style – but if they keep losing then there will have to be pragmatic adjustments, otherwise they will be in big trouble.

Odsonne Edouard says he is "very happy" to have joined Leicester City on a season-long loan from Crystal Palace.

Speaking to the Foxes' in-house media, 26-year-old Edouard said: "I'm very happy to be here and I'm looking forward to starting with my new team-mates and try to win and score some goals.

"I am a striker, it's what anybody can expect from me. So I will try to do my best, I will try to help the team."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, PA Media

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Leicester and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Leicester fans

Chris: I don’t understand why Cooper sets us up so negatively. I never expected Bilal El Khannouss to start, but we looked so much better with Stephy Mavididi and Facundo Buonanotte on the pitch that you have to wonder why they didn’t start. It’s starting to feel a bit like when we’re good it’s in spite of Cooper, not because of him.

Rob: Questionable starting line up with all the creativity on the bench. We were always going to go 2-0 behind before changes that should have happened earlier. The referee was woeful and really didn’t help the game to flow and continually got in the way! Some optimism from a couple of new faces. Onwards and upwards - we can’t have a poor ref every week.

Reuben: Pity we couldn't complete the comeback, but I think that's a good result considering how good Villa have been over the last few seasons.

Filbert: Can't afford to be scored against first. Way too much to ask this season for a comeback. Not showing enough to survive. The obvious points deduction is hovering over our heads. Not expecting much but going down again. Need three teams to be worse than we are, with no point deduction. Keep the faith.

Villa fans

Dean: Brilliant result. When Arsenal beat us last week in a game I’d say we were slightly the better team, everyone praised Arsenal's resilience. We won here despite not being at our best. With key players coming back and Ollie Watkins' return to goalscoring imminent, it’s a great sign for Villa fans.

Josh: Hard-fought win in the end and we were lucky Jamie Vardy’s antics didn’t cost us. Watkins needs a reality check and I’d give the loose canon Jhon Duran a start. Already a worry we didn’t buy another striker.

Grizzly: The standards Unai Emery sets, his ideology. method and mentality have turned Villa into a formidable machine but he will have an important descion to make regarding Watkins given his lack of composure and edge in front of goal. He's now missed three killer chances in the past two games whereas Duran has a view to a kill and will demand a start.

Adam: Villa got the job done today. Away against a promoted side is rarely easy but we did what we had to to take the points home. Just hope Leon Bailey and Amadou Onana's injuries aren’t bad.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Leicester defender Matt Heath says Steve Cooper's players are doing "all they can" to impose themselves on the Premier League but feels the squad is "lacking that little bit of quality".

The Foxes have one point from three games heading into the international break after a 2-1 home defeat by Aston Villa on Saturday.

"It's so early in the season," Heath told BBC Radio Smiling's When You're Smiling podcast. "It's not gonna define where we finish at the end of the season.

"However, we need to make the King Power our fortress. Yes, Aston Villa are a Champions League team this season but in a game where it is very 50/50 in possession, we need to be that little bit more clinical.

"From a fans' points of view, the boys are doing all they can. We are just lacking that little bit of quality or those patterns of play that will get us into dangerous areas.

"Two weeks on the training field hopefully just changes things with a couple of favourable home games coming up.

"My worry is that we're talking about all this defensive work that these lads are doing and we still let two goals in. The first goal again was from switching off at a set piece. It was really poor. They have to see the block coming and be switched on.

"That shouldn't happen at Premier League level.

"The whole overall defensive work ethic and stealing of the ball was good. It is just the two penalty areas that are going to determine how we do this year."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Leicester are making a habit of starting slowly so far this season.

They had just one shot in the first half against Aston Villa and that was in the 44th minute (Villa had scored one goal and had six shots by then).

They also only had just one shot in the first half in their opening game against Spurs.

In all this season, they've had seven shots in the opening half and 19 after the break.