Danny Mills has suggested that Leicester’s Premier League and Champions League form is similar to how Leeds performed in 2000-2001.
Former Leeds United defender and current pundit Danny Mills has told BBC Sport that Leicester City’s focus on the Champions League is similar to what Leeds did during the 2000-2001 season.
Leicester may have won the Premier League title last season, but claimed just their third win of the new league season with a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.
Danny Mills
The Foxes’ title defence hasn’t got off to a great start, especially when you factor in three-goal defeats at the hands of Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea, as well as the 2-1 defeat to newly-promoted Hull City on the opening day of the season.
Many have been confused by Leicester’s performances, given the contrast between their league displays and their form in the Champions League.
With a 3-0 away win over Club Brugge and two 1-0 home wins over Porto and Copenhagen, Leicester boast a 100% winning record in the Champions League, meaning they’re set for the knockout stage of the competition.
Leicester City’s Islam Slimani scores against Porto
Manager Claudio Ranieri will be hoping that Leicester can eventually perform to a high level in both the Premier League and the Champions League, but this isn’t the first instance of such a gulf in performances.
Leeds United had a superb Champions League campaign in the 2000-2001 season, reaching the semi-finals before a defeat to Valencia knocked them out, but they were hovering above the Premier League relegation zone during the first half of the season.
Leeds did turn it around to finish fourth, and pundit Danny Mills – who played for Leeds in that season – has told BBC Sport that Leicester appear to be doing something similar, suggesting that it’s hard to psychologically get up for Premier League games given how special the Champions League is.
Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez scores in their Champions League clash with Copenhagen
“Leicester City are concentrating on the Champions League and I don’t blame them,” said Mills. “When I was at Leeds, we were 15th in the Premier League but we were drawing with Barcelona, we were beating AC Milan.”
It’s a psychological thing. It’s unbelievable to play in the Champions League. To play in those stadiums and against those teams, to have that Champions League music and to have those nights, honestly, it’s a bit of a come-down! When you come back to Saturday football, after having all that hype, mentally you are not quite as ready,” he added.
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