Taggart: A Lot More To Come

First Team
21 May 2019
3 Minutes
Former defender Gerry Taggart believes Leicester City’s youthful squad means the Football Club have plenty of reasons to be positive about the 2019/20 season.

Taggart, who lifted the League Cup at Leicester in 2000, has watched the Foxes throughout the campaign, calling the action as a co-commentator on LCFC Radio more often than not.

Providing an assessment of the 2018/19 term, Taggart highlighted December’s 1-0 triumph at Chelsea as one of their most impressive displays, as Jamie Vardy struck the winner at Stamford Bridge.

“It’s been an interesting season, a bit of a rollercoaster really,” said the Northern Irishman. “We’ve had some really, really good performances. The one that sticks out to me is Chelsea away.

“The way they’ve finished the season, there are a lot of positive vibes around the place. It’s really looking positive, the players seem really positive when you speak to them. That’s good moving forward because it’s important during the close season, they move it into the next season.

“The plan is to bring youth through. You could say that’s part of the season of why it’s been a bit of a topsy turvy season. They’re an inexperienced side, but it’s a very exciting bunch of players that are ready for next season.

“What they have gained is valuable experience this season, so that experience will be positive for them. It’s exciting for the manager and his staff because he gets to work with these players. They must be thinking that there’s a lot more to come from these lads.”

Taggart credited the Football Club for producing some highly-talented Academy graduates. Ben Chilwell made his England debut in September, Harvey Barnes scored his maiden Premier League goal and Hamza Choudhury was instrumental in the wins over Chelsea, Manchester City, Everton and Arsenal.

“That’s the goal, to bring players through, and that’s why the infrastructure has been put in place at the Academy,” said Taggart. “All that investment is being repaid with the likes of Harvey Barnes, Ben Chilwell and Hamza Choudhury.

It’ll forever be massive what Khun Vichai did for Leicester. No one should ever forget what this family has done for Leicester City.

Gerry Taggart LCFC.com

“They’re coming in and they’re being thrown in at the deep end. The most important thing is that they’re coping with it. They’re able to cope with the stresses and strains and they’re excelling. The Academy staff have given the players a platform to build on.”

While there are many positives to take from 2018/19, the Club suffered heartbreak in October, when Chairman Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha lost his life alongside four others in a helicopter crash.

A huge outpouring of emotion from the footballing world followed, and Taggart says City’s beloved late Chairman will never be forgotten.  

“It’ll forever be massive what Khun Vichai did for Leicester,” said Taggart. “No one should ever forget what this family has done for Leicester City. You go back to when I was playing and the how the Football Club was back then. 

Harvey Barnes was one of three Academy graduates on the pitch against Chelsea during City's 2018/19 season finale.

“It was on the brink, but we managed to pull ourselves out of it. It wasn’t in a good place, and then The Boss comes along and literally transforms the Football Club. In doing so, he’s picked up a Premier League title in the process, and that cannot be underestimated in any way. His legacy should never be forgotten, and will be carried on.  

“Khun Top made a very good speech earlier this month at the End of Season Dinner, saying that Leicester City was his home. The fans have invested so much emotion into what’s happened during the last nine or 10 years, so for Top to say that, is huge for them.

“It must be a very difficult time for him and his family, but he’s made a statement and he’s going to continue his father’s legacy. It’s a massive boost for everyone involved at Leicester City.”