Martinez: Leicester an inspiration but they may be alone

Last updated : 05 May 2016 By Footymad

Everton will be the guests at the Foxes' title party on Saturday when Claudio Ranieri's men will complete their impossible dream by lifting the Premier League trophy.

Usurping the big boys in the way Leicester have has caught the imagination of people across the world and left fans of teams everywhere wondering whether next time it could be them.

Toffees boss Martinez said: "You need to see it as the exception that proves the norm or something that is going to change the landscape of the competitive nature of the league. It's too early to see how that's going to develop.

"What Leicester have achieved is a great inspiration for any team sport and for any group in order to dream high and have huge expectations but I think we need to be realistic that this is not the norm.

"It's something we haven't seen in the modern game and I don't think that's going to be repeated easily."

Leicester defeated Everton 3-2 at Goodison Park in December in the reverse fixture.

At that stage they were already top of the table but it would be a long time before they were made title favourites, and Martinez admitted he was one of the doubters.

The Spaniard said: "Looking at the teams that were competing against Leicester at that point, you felt it was still a long battle to go

Looking at the incredible intensity Leicester were playing at, there was a question mark.

"They were in an unknown situation fighting for the title and you don't know how the team is going to react and if they're going to keep that intensity and I think that's where it's been a remarkable journey for Claudio Ranieri and his men to be able to maintain that intensity, that concentration and that togetherness.

"No major injuries and they've been a real inspiration in terms of a winning team, and not just in football, throughout sport, to have that drive and intensity to achieve something and then (do it) against all odds, it's been the real fairytale of the modern game."

Source: PA