Leicester's Premier League title defence turned into a brief relegation scrap, culminating in Claudio Ranieri's dismissal. It was a difficult season in the end, but the Champions League campaign and eventual march to safety were the high points.
Rating out of 10: 7
Highlight
Reaching the quarterfinals of the Champions League and in doing so getting further in the tournament than any other English team. The 2-0 home win over Sevilla in the round of 16 had absolutely everything, including a dramatic late penalty save, while the gutsy 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid at the King Power Stadium was also a special night even though the Foxes ultimately bowed out of Europe. In the Premier League, the 4-2 rout at home to Manchester City proved the most eye-catching win as a then-out-of-form Jamie Vardy scored an unexpected hat trick.
Low point
The timing of Ranieri's sacking came as a huge surprise considering Leicester had just got a vital away goal in a spirited 2-1 loss at Sevilla and the feeling was the affable Italian would at least be given a shot at the second leg. The board didn't help matters by issuing a statement two weeks earlier offering "unwavering support" to the then Leicester boss. Having won a miraculous Premier League title last season, Ranieri's departure seemed harsh, even prompting his old foe Jose Mourinho to sport his initials in solidarity on his training top immediately after the news broke in late March.
Yet with Leicester hurtling towards the relegation zone and reports of alleged rifts in the dressing room, Leicester's owners felt they had no choice but to make a change -- a decision in hindsight that proved a stroke of genius as replacement Craig Shakespeare won his first six matches in charge. The 5-0 Champions League thrashing at Porto in the group stage and the 6-1 home defeat to Tottenham also stand out as two individual low points, although neither actually cost the Foxes in reality.
Star man
Kasper Schmeichel has been Leicester's standout performer and the priority this summer will be to hang on to the Dane amid tangible interest from Manchester United and Liverpool. The 30-year-old genuinely hates being compared to his father Peter, so may be reticent about a move to the former. Schmeichel saved penalties in both legs of Leicester's last-16 Champions League victory over Sevilla and has made a string of world-class stops all season.
He's been the Foxes' most reliable performer and, as importantly, has offered vocal leadership from between the sticks. Following September's 4-1 defeat at Old Trafford he was quick to call City's title defence "embarrassing" and remind his teammates to stop living off the glory of 2015-2016. Schmeichel was rightly named both the fans' and players' player of the year.
Flop
Riyad Mahrez was a shadow of the player he was last season, especially in the first half of this campaign, but in fairness showed some flashes of brilliance down the stretch once Shakespeare took over. The Algerian got an astonishing 17 goals in 2015-2016 but had to wait until a 3-1 victory over Hull City in March to score from open play this term.
He looked disinterested in far too many games and not always up for a relegation dogfight. The club will still be desperate to hang on to his services, but his mediocre campaign might mean the owners want to sell should a lucrative offer come in from suitors such as Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.
Record signing Islam Slimani and Ahmed Musa -- who showed so much promise during preseason, including an impressive brace against Barcelona -- both arrived over the summer with big price tags and neither managed to force a regular starting spot.
Transfer Talk
Leicester desperately need a centre-back, even though Yohan Benalouane has impressed in recent weeks. Captain Wes Morgan and Robert Huth are getting on a bit and even if they continue their formidable partnership next season, cover is still urgently needed. Sassuolo defender Francesco Acerbi would be a shrewd addition. The 29-year-old has played every minute in Serie A and is thought to be available for around £10 million, although the Foxes must fight off interest from Inter Milan and their rich Chinese owners.
Lugano winger and Macedonia international Ezgjan Alioski is also thought to be on Shakespeare's wish list and the club should also look to bring in a striker. Leicester have wanted Jermain Defoe since the days of Nigel Pearson, and with Sunderland relegated they might finally land the England forward, although a younger option might be more prudent.
Ben Jacobs is ESPN FC's Leicester City blogger. Follow him on Twitter @JacobsBen.
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