MARC ALBRIGHTON has joked how reaching the Champions League will see Leicester “buy a load of big hitters” and “sack off” this season’s stars!
The table-topping Foxes secured a top-four spot – and at least a qualifier for Europe’s elite competition – with last Sunday’s win over Sunderland.
Albrighton, who was RELEASED by soon-to-be-relegated Aston Villa two years ago, has been of the unsung heroes in Claudio Ranieri’s team this term.
But the down-to-earth winger knows the Foxes’ achievements also mean club chiefs will have a whole load more cash to splash this summer.
And asked what Champions League qualification meant to him, Albrighton, 26, laughed: “They’ll probably go and buy a load of big-hitters and sack us all of!
But he then added: “It’s fantastic for us. For me personally, it’s an unbelievable feeling that we have secured Champions League football for next season.
“You put the TV on on a Tuesday and Wednesday night and watch the best players in the world.
“To know we can be rubbing shoulders with them next season is brilliant.”
Albrighton, though, like the rest of his team-mates, has his eyes on a bigger prize – the Premier League title.
And he admits the Foxes feel almost “unbeatable” having won their last five matches and having gone without defeat since visiting Arsenal on Valentine’s Day.
Ahead of Sunday’s home clash with West Ham, Albrighton said: “Yes, to some extent I would say that’s how we feel.
“Keeping clean sheets is one of the main factors.
“If you are not conceding goals then you are not going to lose games.
“And then we have the quality up front to go and score.”
Albrighton also explained how Leicester are not feeling the pressure of the title run-in – because it is nothing compared to the burden of battling to beat the drop.
Just 12 months ago, the Foxes, under Nigel Pearson, were still scrapping for their lives, only staying up in their penultimate match at Sunderland – the scene of their latest triumph last week.
And Albrighton admitted: “I’ve always said pressure was last year – staying in the league.
“It is so important for football clubs. There are people you probably don’t see behind the scenes who could lose jobs from falling out the league.
“So without a doubt, relegation battles in my experience, there is a lot more pressure on them.
“Maybe it is because we weren’t tipped to win the league at the start of the season that for me, personally, I feel relegation battles are much harder.
“What we are doing is just a bonus. We secured our safety early and can enjoy the rest of the season.”
Boss Ranieri, of course, still refuses to talk about the title, even though Leicester are just three wins away from claiming the crown.
And Albrighton grinned: “We’re not talking about it either!
“It’s just nice to be winning games. It’s massive that we are keeping a winning habit going.
“If we continue to do that and continue to keep clean sheets and putting in performances that we are, then everything will look after itself.
“It doesn’t feel real. A lot of us have not been in this position before, so we’ve just got to enjoy it and embrace it.
“And as hard as it is, take each day as it comes.”
On Wednesday, three of Leicester’s stars – Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kante – were shortlisted for the PFA Player of the Year award.
And Albrighton added: “The lads have done brilliantly this season and are getting the plaudits, rightly so.
“Jamie has been fantastic all season and he deserves to have the plaudits that will come his way.
“That is how we have been winning games, with the balls over the top. His movement has been terrific.
“I’ve been playing with him for probably 18 months now and know the runs he is going to make.
“He is a great outlet to have if you have opposition bodies surrounding you.
“But while we have brilliant individuals, there is no point having them if we are not going to play as a team, which we are.”
Leave a comment