Leicester City are beginning to dream of a return to the Premier League as Enzo Maresca threatens to orchestrate a record-breaking Championship season.
The Italian has led Leicester to one point clear of Ipswich Town at the top, but more importantly, eight points above third place Leeds United.
During a first successful seven months at the King Power Stadium, Maresca’s side have attempted to steamroll the rest of the second tier and although consecutive defeats against Leeds and Middlesbrough threatened to derail their mission, a last-gasp victory over West Brom has got it back on track.
In that vital win over the Baggies on Saturday, Leicester broke away in the final minute and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall teed up Harry Winks for a tap-in.
The former Tottenham Hotspur man, who arrived for £10m in the summer, has proven to be their most influential signing in recent times.
Harry Winks has been unbelievable for Leicester City this season
The anchor of a ship they hope will sail towards promotion, Winks is the glue that holds the midfield together and his performances have got City supporters falling in love with him.
Whilst Dewsbury-Hall will take the plaudits for how he’s transformed into a machine in the final third, Winks is the reason why Leicester are afforded such tactical flexibility.
An orchestrator at the base of midfield, whose astute passing range can dictate the tempo of a game, the 27-year-old is phenomenal at receiving possession in tight areas and spraying passes short or long.
The £90k-a-week gem is a cut above the rest of his positional peers in the Championship through his quality on the ball, ranking in the top 1% for passes attempted and pass completiton, as per FBref.
In fact, no other player in the Leicester squad has played more accurate long balls per game (4.2), according to Sofascore, which is a testament to how dangerous he is at breaking the lines from deep.
The Englishman’s impeccable performances in a City shirt have led to many salivating over his talents, including Maresca, who hailed him as ‘unbelievable player’ and insists he was the ‘first name’ on his transfer shortlist at this summer.
Such praise is warranted since arriving from North London having established himself as the jewel in the Italian’s crown.
He’s only missed one Championship game this term – the 2-0 victory over Watford – however, no one in the squad can replace his impact and keeping him fit will be integral in their quest for the title.