Leicester City

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Time stops for no man, as Kevin de Bruyne and Jamie Vardy are discovering right now.

Both are considered 'too old' for the teams they have graced for 10 and 13 years respectively. Both are arguably the most important - and maybe most-loved players - in their club's recent history. Both clearly have unfinished business as top players, even if Jamie is 38 years old and Kevin is 34 in June.

They had a few other things in common this week. First, they looked the most likely to score for their teams. Secondly, they both did.

The fire hasn't gone out for either player and both could doubtless still do some sort of limited, short-term strategic job for their teams going forward - but those ships have sailed.

Playing this well when they know they are leaving could be down to a number of reasons: professionalism and pride in their work is clearly on show.

Giving your best while still being paid considerable sums to turn out each week should be a given, but it isn't always.

There is also the consideration that, like other players nearing the end of their contracts, they are putting on a show for any prospective employees. If they 'downed tools', like some others have done to ensure they don't pick up any injuries, it wouldn't be a great look.

Vardy must be thinking that a top team in need of a natural scorer would be worth looking at him. Even if his role was as a substitute most weeks, he could come on when the defenders are tiring, space is opening up and desperation is kicking in.

With the chances Arsenal created this season, and them having no obvious natural scorer to add the final touch, would Vardy on their bench look silly or astute?

Arsenal took a chance on Raheem Sterling this season, which clearly hasn't worked, but would De Bruyne be a better bet, if they took a punt on him?

I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be a daft move, even if the Gunners have a few decent players in that area. Mikel Arteta knows Kevin, so you never know.

Vardy and De Bruyne might be on the way out, but both still have something to give. It might yet be closer to home than some people think, rather than the expected pension booster jobs in the Middle East or - dare I say it - the good old USA.

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Kate Blakemore
Fan writer

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Despite passing some unwanted milestones this season, including eight games without a league goal and almost five months since a home goal, the only remaining milestone left for us to pass is the magical 200 Leicester goals for Jamie Vardy.

We're at three games left, and only one goal to go, following his lovely finish against Saints at the weekend.

It will perfectly conclude a highly decorated 13 years with the Foxes and Jamie, who is now level with Robin Van Persie on 144 Premier League goals, will want to finish his tenure as he started it - scoring goals - to leave behind his legacy as Leicester's greatest ever player.

As the sun sets on Jamie's career at Leicester, it's starting to rise on some bright young prospects emerging from the academy. Jeremy Monga, Jake Evans and Michael Golding all featured at the weekend, which has got fans looking to the future and life post Vardy. Monga - the second youngest Premier League player of all time - comfortably held his own, and fans would like to see more youth prospects thrown into the mix for the final three games, in what are effectively three dress rehearsals for the Championship campaign.

While, understandably, there has been hesitation from Ruud Van Nistelrooy to drop Vardy, his hesitation is two-fold in his resistance to play many from the academy set up for extended periods. But in the words of Sir Matt Busby, 'if you're good enough, you're old enough'.

The last few games will epitomise the lifecycle of both a football player and fan as a legend of the club leaves his post to make room for potential future legends. The 'out with the old and in with the new' has never felt more heightened than it does now. Time waits for no man and Vardy is no exception but one can't help but feel that we can't wholeheartedly move on until he leaves.

Find more from Kate Blakemore at Leicester Till I Die, external

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Leicester City goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk says manager Ruud van Nistelrooy's backing has given him the "confidence" to go into the final three games of this season and "help the team", after being second choice to Mads Hermansen throughout this campaign.

Hermansen will not play again this season after having groin surgery - and there are rumours the Dane could be set for a move away from King Power Stadium this summer.

Stolarczyk spoke to BBC Radio Leicester about being given the opportunity to stake his claim to be number one next season: "It gives me a lot of confidence to go into the game and play the way I've always wanted to.

"It's nice to just be myself. I've always wanted to be playing. I'm there to help the team control and win the games - and hopefully not have to make too many saves!

"The manager has just told me to be myself. He told me I've already impressed him in the games I've played in.

"It's difficult coming into games when you haven't played for a few months, but I think I'm doing OK. Maybe there have been a few dodgy things, but I kind of expect that.

"I've got a good relationship with Mads. We're always pushing each other, whether it was last season or this season. We're always working hard in training. I think his performances and my performances show how well we have been training together.

"The work we have been doing in our goalkeeping union - with [Danny] Wardy, Daniel [Iversen], Mads and myself - has been fantastic."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

The latest episode of the When You're Smiling podcast has landed.

This week, Jack Rafferty and Rob Tanner from The Athletic are joined by former Foxes winger Matt Piper to discuss the small wins Leicester City can take from Saturday's victory against Southampton - one clean sheet, two goals and three points!

They also speak to goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk after he kept a clean sheet against the Saints.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Mark Scott
Final Score reporter

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Among the relief at both long-awaited goals and points at King Power Stadium, there was still a noticeable undercurrent of dissent.

Once again, Leicester City's director of football Jon Rudkin came in for stick, with cries of "Sack the board" very audible as well.

In his programme notes, chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said "there are decisions to be made", significant as these are his first comments since the club's relegation from the top flight was confirmed.

While questions about the future of Ruud van Nistelrooy will likely be top of his agenda, the supporters made it clear once again that their dissatisfaction lies further up the food chain.

Even the first goals they had seen on home turf since December were not going to distract them from that.

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We asked for your views on Leicester's Premier League match against Southampton.

Here are some of your comments:

Leicester fans

Ian: Firstly great to finally see a win. Team all played as one, with fight and grit. The movement all round was excellent. Great for Jamie Vardy too. Hopefully Leicester give him a testimonial for his 13 years of service and loyalty. Will miss him.

Andy: Makes a change to come away smiling. A win is a win, even against a very poor Southampton. Just need Vardy to get that 200th goal now.

James: This game meant very little other than try to build confidence for the difficult season ahead. It was the beginning of Vardy's farewell and a chance to flaunt some future talent. Southampton were without doubt the worst opposition we had at home this season, and we overcame them with little difficulty but the eerie atmosphere said it all. Still systemic change needed across the club, as well as that elusive internal review.

Kiran: Good win and really pleased for Vardy, but a bit too late. Ruud van Nistelrooy has to go and I am glad Mads Hermansen did not play. He is the weakest link and should be sold in the summer.

Southampton fans:

Mark: That was a gutless, lazy, pathetic excuse of a performance Saints. No effort, no desire to get forward, weird substitutions yet again. An absolute car crash display against the second worst team.

Glenn: Terrible display. The players are supposed to be professional but all season game after game it hasn't changed. They must feel so embarrassed being the worst of the worst and the owners should take full responsibility for this.

Matt: An embarrassment to our city. An embarrassment to the Premier League. 99% of that team can go, and I also wish we'd never been promoted. Sports Republic really don't know what they are doing.

Jack: I watched Saints under Ian Branfoot and that was terrible. This lot are worse.

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's Four Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Manchester City and Wolves.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Everton 2-2 Ipswich

• Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth

The latest episode of the When You're Smiling podcast has landed.

BBC Leicester's Conor O'Grady is joined by former Foxes winger Matt Piper to discuss Saturday's victory against Southampton.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Emily Salley
BBC Sport journalist

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Just two weeks ago, Leicester City fans would have been delighted to get a disappointing season over and done with.

But now it seems - even with their relegation confirmed and nothing left to play for - that the season's end could arrive too fast.

That's because when the Foxes travel to Bournemouth for their last game of the campaign on 25 May, it is likely to be the last time they will see Jamie Vardy in a Leicester jersey.

Of course it was Vardy who ended Leicester's scoring rut at King Power Stadium.

Before his 17th-minute opener against Southampton, Ruud van Nistelrooy's side had not scored a Premier League home goal since 8 December.

Now, all eyes will be on the 38-year-old for these remaining three fixtures.

Even fans of other clubs will be urging him forwards in search of that one goal that will take his tally to 200 for the club and end his 13-year stay on a high.

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Leicester forward Jamie Vardy spoke to BBC Match of the Day after scoring against Southampton: "The main thing is breaking a cycle. Not scoring at home for a while and we know we needed to get that done especially with the situation we are in and hopefully we can improve and take that momentum into next season. That's all we can do.

"It's tough. It's not like we have not given our all. It hasn't clicked, it's been one of the seasons. The gap being promoted to the Premier League now is probably the biggest it has ever been so it's even more difficult."

On playing for Leicester for 13 years: "It's been everything. You saw what I put out there. It's been mine and my family's life for 13 years. We've been taken in for by the fans and the whole city and it has meant every single thing to me personally. Hopefully with those numbers, that's me repaying them.

"When it's been your life for that long and you see the comradery with the fans and my team-mates for the last 13 years, it's been unbelievable."

On being thought of as Leicester's best player: "There have been a lot of unbelievable players for this club so to be mentioned like that is a really nice feeling. There's still a few more games where hopefully there can be a few more numbers added."

On blowing the referee's whistle: "I saw Southampton breaking down the left and with the ref down I thought I'll blow his whistle to stop the game."

On his future: "I couldn't tell you at this moment in time. I am enjoying my football and I need a nice break to mentally, especially, and physically fully refresh and then we'll see where that goes."

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Ruud van Nistelrooy spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Leicester's victory against Southampton: "It feels great to win and be back to winning ways. It was a long time, especially a home win. We wanted to end this cycle and end the season with some positivity. If there was one player to break this cycle, it had to be Jamie [Vardy]. Goal number 199. Very important for him and the team to get us in front.

"He [Vardy] is lethal. We know with this home cycle without a win, it has been difficult especially with a striker like him in the team. We knew we were creating and now the two [goals] went in and that gave us a big lift.

"Everything comes to an end and for him it is clear he wants to move on. He wants to close this in the best way possible and that's what we have to respect. The most important thing is to look back at his career here, at his games, his goals at the trophies that he wants. The crowd start realising it is the farewell tour of Jamie. With Forest and Ipswich to come for him to hopefully score his 200th goal."

On young talent in squad: "It's shaping the future what we're working on. That's what you saw today. Homegrown players who take responsibility for this club. It's exciting."

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Jamie Vardy's strike was Leicester's first home league goal since December (Bobby De Cordova-Red v Brighton), ending the Foxes run of 826 minutes without scoring at the King Power Stadium.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Leicester's performance

What did you make of Southampton's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies.

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Aston Villa v Fulham (12:30)

• Everton v Ipswich Town - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Leicester City v Southampton

• Arsenal v Bournemouth (17:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Leicester have been rotten but, somehow, Southampton have been even worse.

It is sad to see Jamie Vardy leaving the Foxes at the end of the season, but maybe this might be the send-off he deserves. I am going with him to score the winner.

These two teams actually served up a thriller at St Mary's Stadium back in October, when Vardy got one of Leicester's goals as they fought back from 2-0 down to win 3-2.

I am expecting the same outcome here, just with a lot less excitement. The readers will go for a draw, I am sure of it, but I am pretty confident about Leicester taking this one.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Alex Fletcher
BBC Sport journalist

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With just four games to go in the Premier League this season relegation has been decided.

For the second season in a row, all three promoted clubs have been sent straight back down, and 14 points separates those in the relegation zone and 17th placed West Ham.

Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town have just 10 wins between them this season, and there is still a chance that the Saints finish the campaign as the joint-worst Premier League team of all time.

But where did it all go wrong?

A struggle to survive

According to Opta, this is the worst combined points total of any group of promoted sides at this stage of the season in Premier League history

The three teams have only managed to get 50 points between them - after just 34 games - and are 14 points behind the previous record which was set last year by Sheffield United, Burnley and Luton Town.

While Leicester and Southampton have seen changes in the dugout this season, Ipswich have stuck with Kieran McKenna, but this has not changed their fortunes.

Between them, they have picked up just 21 points at home, with Southampton and Ipswich winning just once in-front of their own fans.

Promoted sides face 'more of a challenge'

And things look set to get even more difficult for those coming up from the Championship.

According to Opta, five of the lowest eight Premier League points totals for promoted sides after 34 games have come in the last eight years. Southampton are currently on the joint-lowest points total ever at this stage of the season, alongside Derby County.

Speaking before his sides relegation, Ipswich boss McKenna said the gap between the Premier League and the Championship "is getting bigger" and that "it's been getting more of a challenge for clubs to be able to bridge that".

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Former Leicester City striker Steve Howard speaking on the When You're Smiling podcast: "I want him [Ruud van Nistelrooy] to change the squad. I want him to try a different system, a different formation or different faces.

"He might be surprised and you've got to prepare for the Championship. This season is done and dusted but you have to get something out of it.

"Throw the young lads in - the ones who want to have a game - and if they can hold their own in the Premier League then they will fit in to the squad next season."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Southampton have faced more shots (605), more shots on target (234) and have a higher xG against tally (78.8) than any other side in the Premier League this season.

On the other hand, Leicester have had fewer shots (299), fewer shots on target (98) and a lower xG tally (29.2) than any other side in the Premier League this season.