One of the biggest problem disruptors face is being swallowed up the existing elits. This is true in football and in the ‘real’ world, as the next best thing faces a constant battle for survive against the existing best thing.
Battle
Leicester City have faced and lived this struggle over the past few years, but things could be about to change.
James Maddison has signed a new, four-year deal with the Foxes and in doing so, throws two fingers up in the face of the established elite and current top four clubs. It’s no secret that Manchester United were interested in the playmaker, and even considered putting in a huge bid for his services.
While the Foxes have won the Premier League, they were swiftly picked apart and denied the chance to build on their most unlikely triumph. N’Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater left for Chelsea, while Riyad Mahrez would depart for Manchester City and Harry Maguire left for Manchester United.
Rejected
Maddison, it was presumed, would leave as well just as Brendan Rodgers was starting to get a pretty tune out of this young, vibrant side.
In rejecting United or City or Chelsea to stay with the Foxes and help them push for Champions League football next season, the former Norwich City starlet has laid a serious marker down.
Even though Ben Chilwell is expected to leave the King Power for Stamford Bridge, Rodgers does have cover for him in the squad and losing their left-back won’t be as big a blow as it would have been this time last season.
Vital
Keeping Maddison is more important. He’s their creative fulcrum and his goals and assists helped propel the Foxes to second in the table around Christmas. His subsequent injury and absence from the team hurt as they slid down and out of the Champions League places.
Rejecting United for a homegrown project takes some enthusiasm for his current surroundings and belief in Rodgers. It’s exciting for the neutral because it increases the chance of a truly exciting top four battle, and it spreads the talent around the league more evenly.
It’s a huge breakthrough for Leicester, who have lost one big star every season, and it’s a breath of fresh air for the rest of us.