Leicester City’s Championship title-winning campaign under Enzo Maresca feels like a long time ago now as supporters have been put through suffering in 2024/25.
In his first solo managerial role, Enzo Maresca delivered the Championship title to Leicester City with a possession-oriented brand of football.
It ended up landing the Italian the job at Chelsea last summer, replacing Argentine Mauricio Pochettino in the dugout.
The former Manchester City assistant is still highly thought of at the King Power Stadium, and the Leicester players still keep in touch with Maresca following his exit.
One of those who perhaps still messages is the 45-year-old is midfielder Harry Winks, who was highly thought of by his former manager.
Enzo Maresca once called Harry Winks ‘unbelievable’ in 2023
Leicester signed Harry Winks for £10 million from Tottenham in the summer of 2023, becoming one of Maresca’s first arrivals as manager.
Winks was ever-present during their title-winning campaign last term, only missing the 2-0 victory over Watford.
The 29-year-old was incredible as a deep-lying playmaker and was perhaps unfortunate to miss out on the Championship Team of the Season, with former teammate Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall stealing that accolade.
It wasn’t just his passing range that stole plaudits throughout as the midfield popped up with some crucial goals, including the winner against QPR in October 2023.
Following the game, Maresca praised Winks as ‘unbelievable’, realising the impact he had on the starting lineup.
“When I met the club for the first time, he was the first name I told them. He was the main player because, with this idea, Harry is an unbelievable player.
“I saw him at Spurs, I saw him last year in Italy. With us and with this idea, he’s an unbelievable player.”
Winks now struggling under Ruud van Nistelrooy
When Leicester returned to the Premier League, many expected the talents of Winks to flourish.
Although Winks is among the top-rated Leicester players in 2024/25, his form has taken a nosedive in the top flight and is only being used sporadically by Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The former Spurs man hasn’t started any of the five previous matches in the Premier League and was an unused substitute in defeats to Arsenal and Brentford.
Van Nistelrooy has instead preferred a double pivot of Boubakaray Soumare and Wilfred Ndidi, with neither seriously impressing.
Perhaps the Dutchman can hand Winks more game time before the season closes, as he could be an important player next term, especially with relegation looking likely.