Leonardo Ulloa holds a special place in the hearts of Leicester City fans after the Argentine striker’s impact at the King Power Stadium.
Signed for a club-record fee from Brighton & Hove Albion upon their return to the Premier League, Ulloa was influential in Leciester securing top-flight safety after netting an impressive 11 goals in his debut season with the Foxes.
And whilst Ulloa was replaced by Shinji Okazaki in Leicester’s Premier League-winning season, the towering South American still chipped in with six goals for Claudio Ranieri’s side, most notably a last-minute winner against Norwich City.
However, Ulloa’s time with Leciester was to end with fire and fury under Ranieri, with the striker now sitting down and explaining what happened that led to his exit from the East Midlands.
Leonardo Ulloa says Claudio Ranieri went back on Leicester promise
Speaking to Ole, Ulloa detailed how he fought with Ranieri after the Italian manager went back on a promise that the striker would be important for Leicester in the season after winning the Premier League, to which the Foxes signed striker Islam Slimani for £30m.
Ulloa said: “I had a fight with Ranieri. After that season, I had three offers from English clubs where I would have had a much better chance of playing, earn more money and feel more important. But Claudio told me to stay calm, that I would be important and that he wanted my contract renewed.
“However, on the last day of the transfer window, Leicester bought Islam Slimani for £30m. I confronted Ranieri, told him he was a son of a —– because he had lied to me about bringing in a striker and that I wouldn’t play anymore. I didn’t play for four months after winning the championship.
“The fight came, because it —— me off. Then I spoke to the media, and the fans got angry with me until they understood the situation. The Leicester fans love me very much, and I love them very much. I have very fond memories of the club.”
Leonardo Ulloa did not get the respect he deserved at Leicester
It would be an understatement to say that Ulloa was unfairly treated at Leicester, with the striker playing a huge role in the Foxes remaining in the Premier League in their first year back in the top-flight as well as putting in solid performances during the title-winning season under Ranieri.
And whilst signing a new striker was perhaps inevitable given that Leicester were in the UEFA Champions League, Ulloa simply did not get the respect the attacker deserved, with the Argentine not even starting a game in Europe.
Indeed, Ulloa’s role in Leicester’s history was short but impactful, and Ranieri’s treatment was more than unfair given all the forward had done for the Foxes after joining just two years prior.