There are some things about Leicester City that I don't like...

For Leicester City and their fans, the season began on the finest possible note. New manager Enzo Maresca arrived from Manchester City and reignited the fire that had been extinguished under Brendan Rodgers.

An dynamic brand of play, a shift in mindset, and a fantastic first half of the season on the pitch. Some form drops have now narrowed the Championship title race to a tee, but it’s off-field matters that have brought the enthusiasm tumbling down at Leicester.

They are in difficulty with both the Premier League and the EFL over alleged spending rules violations, and the latter has imposed an embargo. However, the club has pledged to pursue legal action against both entities. It’s undoubtedly been and will be, a dramatic few weeks for Leicester and their rivals.

Richard keys Leicester City Have Serious Questions to Answer

Richard Keys is unhappy with Leicester’s present financial condition, comparing it to 2003. Leicester went into administration that year, and it was during this process that points deductions were implemented for financial mismanagement in English football.

“Leeds and Leicester are the other two jockeying for an automatic place,” Keys wrote in his latest blog. “I’ve got to admit there’s something about Leicester’s bid that I don’t like.

It feels like 2003 all over again to me. Their promotion that year – after falling into administration – led to the current regulations about financial mis-management being brought in. Once again, they’ve got some serious questions to answer about their finances.”

Keys also spoke about the on-field Championship promotion race, writing: “The battle to get out of the C’ship is fascinating now.

It’s impossible to call it – the race for automatic promotion – or a play-off place. How well have Ipswich done? The defeat at Norwich was untimely, but Kieran McKenna deserves a whole lot of praise for another terrific – whatever happens now.”

Leicester Cannot Let This Distract Them

Any punishment imposed on Leicester is likely to last until next season, when they want to return to the Premier League. Manager Enzo Maresca has encouraged himself and his team to ignore the distractions and focus on winning games and returning to the top flight. This will be easier said than done, but they must be mentally tough.

Rivals Leeds and Ipswich cannot allow it get to their heads. They will be upset and want answers, for sure, but they should not let it affect their performance on the pitch. Football must take centre stage between now and the end of the season, as it promises to be an intriguing race.

Foxes manager Maresca said in a press conference last week: “After the Premier League charge, the EFL, now the accounts, hopefully it’s finished! Hopefully, there are no more! I said it already many times: it’s something we cannot control. The lawyers of the club are in charge of that. The only thing we can do is try to focus on our games.

“I try to convince myself and convince the players that the only thing we can worry about is the games. The rest is something we don’t control. Even if it’s something that is there, we cannot manage the situation. Until today, they (the players) showed in the games that they are just focused on the games. And also, I have the same feeling day by day in the training sessions that they are just focused on the football.”