So, it's confirmed today that Andy King will be leaving at the end of this season. Personally I think we'd be actively competing with Liverpool for the title if Brendan Rodgers had played him, but I accept my opinion is in the minority here.
It's quite a significant moment in a way, in the sense that it's a journey coming to an end - a journey that started with just a few games as a youngster and us being relegated to League 1, and finishing with us looking to consistently compete with the biggest teams for a place at the top table of European football. As the fans have been part of the journey, so has King. He's been part of the worst Leicester City side and the best Leicester City side that ever existed, and seen some weird variations in between. He's seen Nigel Pearson throttle an opponent on the touchline. He's seen Paulo Sousa get his balls out on the first day of training. He's had to make sense of whatever it was Ian Holloway said at half time. He's seen glory, he's seen tragedy.
It's a great shame that he won't be able to come back for a final home game parade, where I'm sure he would have received a great send-off. But there's nothing that can be done about that. As for the future, I still see him as a natural successor to the Birch, maybe not with the bombastic "up and at 'em" pre-match speeches but as a club ambassador who would be great representing the club, doing fan visits and the like. Depends what he wants to do, I suppose.
But for now, thanks for the memories, Kingy. It's been a blast.
Long Live the King
posted on 18/6/20
One key element of ‘legend’ for me, is how much a player loves (and I mean passionately loves) our clubs after a spell with us.
Seeing the golden generation from the O’Neil era, it was clear that Walsh, Elliot and Muzzy are legends, whereas the likes of Savage (what an idiot) and Claridge et al didn’t feel the affinity to our club when they left and this comes across as criticism of the club and a lack of respect to the fans in interviews. Mahrez is the latest addition to that club.
King on the other hand came to our club with no affiliation to it, and despite facing many spells on the bench and out of favour with managers, he always knuckled down, worked hard and showed why he was a vital part of our clubs and team. A bit like a long term Albrighton.
Steve Walsh was not even the best defender during his time at our club. Is he a Leicester legend? The number 1 in my opinion.
Should Andy King be considered a legend? For all his contribution to our club, being part of the rebuilding and then greatest moment, and a key part let’s not forget with key goals at key moments (let’s not forget it was Ling’s goal that began the great escape). For this and the esteem he holds our club and it’s fans when really, he doesn’t need to, he’s absolutely a legend for me.
I echo Dunge’s sentiments and hope we get to give him the send off he deserves. King XI managed by Ranieri in a testimonial maybe.
#Legend.
posted on 18/6/20
I completely agree but everyone has their own views, many will still consider Mahrez a Legend, if you were ten years old and saw Claridge shin in that goal he'd probably be a legend to you.
Walsh is one many couldn't argue against despite him not being a Vardy or Mahrez type player.
You could argue all the Title Winning Players are legends, in a 100 Years LCFC fans will probably be in awe that a Leicester Team actually won the League, I know I am.
Good to see Morgan and Fuchs have been given another 12 month contract, their experience is I'm sure invaluable and Fuch showed recently he's still got the quality to play an important part in the squad.
posted on 18/6/20
I know he had his critics, but we all know he's been a fantastic servant to this club, I certainly cannot recall many more professional players in recent years.
Does he make Legend, sorry he just hasn't quite reached that level for me, but I'd certainly go to a testimonial and I do like the idea of a Ranieri 11 in honour of two vastly important figures in the clubs history.
posted on 18/6/20
comment by True Blue (U9486)
posted 1 hour, 10 minutes ago
I completely agree but everyone has their own views, many will still consider Mahrez a Legend, if you were ten years old and saw Claridge shin in that goal he'd probably be a legend to you.
Walsh is one many couldn't argue against despite him not being a Vardy or Mahrez type player.
You could argue all the Title Winning Players are legends, in a 100 Years LCFC fans will probably be in awe that a Leicester Team actually won the League, I know I am.
Good to see Morgan and Fuchs have been given another 12 month contract, their experience is I'm sure invaluable and Fuch showed recently he's still got the quality to play an important part in the squad.
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Does anyone find it very strange that Jakipovic has also been given and signed an extension?
posted on 18/6/20
comment by Merseysidefox (U4842)
posted 24 minutes ago
comment by True Blue (U9486)
posted 1 hour, 10 minutes ago
I completely agree but everyone has their own views, many will still consider Mahrez a Legend, if you were ten years old and saw Claridge shin in that goal he'd probably be a legend to you.
Walsh is one many couldn't argue against despite him not being a Vardy or Mahrez type player.
You could argue all the Title Winning Players are legends, in a 100 Years LCFC fans will probably be in awe that a Leicester Team actually won the League, I know I am.
Good to see Morgan and Fuchs have been given another 12 month contract, their experience is I'm sure invaluable and Fuch showed recently he's still got the quality to play an important part in the squad.
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Does anyone find it very strange that Jakipovic has also been given and signed an extension?
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Yes I did.
It almost like he wants to be the new Conrad Logan.
I wonder if there is a reason. Is Ward itching to get away for regular first team football perhaps?
posted on 18/6/20
Interesting through Joby. Let Ward leave on a loan with an immediate recall if Kasper gets injured.
Might actually benefit him and us to be fair.
posted on 18/6/20
Regarding legendary status, I think the reason it’s so difficult to quantify is that it’s so subjective. Essentially, you’re a club legend if people think you’re a club legend. Maybe there are different levels of club legend too? i.e., Cambiasso may not be considered a club legend, but he’s something more than Alan Maybury.
One thing though: Very tough to compare him to Vardy. In ten years there’s a fair chance he’ll be considered not just a club legend but /the/ club legend.
It’ll be interesting to see what Ward wants to do. He’s a very good goalkeeper, enough to be a number one at some other Prem clubs, but he’s not looking like displacing Kasper any time soon. But then, we should get European football of some sort next season (virus allowing), so he’d likely get more action on the back of that.
posted on 19/6/20
We also had Daniel Iversen on loan to Rotherham last season (for them) in a team that got promoted.
I’ve no insight into how well he played as I didn’t watch any of their matches. Good enough to displace Jakipovic as 3rd choice though? Apparently not
posted on 19/6/20
I'm not going to get into the legend argument but Kingy has certainly been a great and loyal servant for our club, so he goes with my very best wishes.
I hope we will have a chance to say a proper goodbye to him in due course.
posted on 20/6/20
comment by Jobyfox (U4183)
posted 18 hours, 19 minutes ago
We also had Daniel Iversen on loan to Rotherham last season (for them) in a team that got promoted.
I’ve no insight into how well he played as I didn’t watch any of their matches. Good enough to displace Jakipovic as 3rd choice though? Apparently not
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I know a Rotherham fan Joby and he said Iversen was impressive. I don’t think he felt he was ready for the prem though so another load season in the Championship might be a good thing for his development.