davieG Posted 17 May 2016 Posted 17 May 2016 Worthy of it's own topic. image: http://images.cdn.fourfourtwo.com/sites/fourfourtwo.com/files/styles/image_landscape/public/fb_fuchs.png?itok=QChzbBMf Stats Zone Premier League Full-back of the Year 2015/16: Christian Fuchs 14 min ago image: http://images.cdn.fourfourtwo.com/sites/fourfourtwo.com/files/styles/byline_pic/public/pictures/picture-119-1380718208.jpg?itok=t6e7aLBt Andrew Murray TOPICS STATS ZONE AWARDS, STATS ZONE, PREMIER LEAGUE,CHRISTIAN FUCHS, LEICESTER CITY Snapped up on a free from Schalke by Nigel Pearson, the Austrian didn't even get to train under his 'new' manager. It didn't matter: under Claudio Ranieri, the left-back defined consistency in his team's title charge... Last summer, Leicester badly needed a left-back. Jeffrey Schlupp had filled in manfully as the Foxes won seven of their last nine Premier League games, after Paul Konchesky had been... well, Paul Konchesky for the bulk of the season. What they wanted was someone dependable, a guaranteed seven-out-of-10 every game to provide Schlupp with some competition. What they got was the best full-back in the league. Of all the surprises that Leicester have pulled this season, Christian Fuchs’s transformation from prosaic defender to paragon of uber-consistency must rank among the most unexpected. Not even Claudio Ranieri turning up 24 hours early to Fuchs’s surprise birthday party in April measures on the Foxes’ Richter scale of unexpected arrivals. “ Not even Claudio Ranieri turning up 24 hours early to Fuchs’s surprise birthday party in April measures on the Foxes’ Richter scale of unexpected arrivals The Austrian signed on a free transfer from Schalke 12 months ago, when even his own personal goals could be summarised as ‘getting to play in England’. Don’t take our word for it, ask him. “It was always a goal for me to play in the Premier League,” Fuchs smiled back then, “and I’m happy that this dream has come true.” God knows what the Premier League champion – his first major honour as a professional, if you don’t count the 2011 DFL Supercup, which we don’t – thinks now. Get ball, use ball Beginning the season as Schlupp’s back-up, Fuchs got his first start in October’s 2-1 win at Norwich. From then, he missed only 11 minutes for the rest of the campaign; looking at Stats Zone, it’s easy to see why. If the modus operandi of a modern full-back is to be solid in defence and get forward as much as possible, then few perform the role better. No full-back made more interceptions that the 30-year-old’s 98 in 2015/16. Meanwhile, having the won the ball back with such regularity, Fuchs generally did something with it, creating 45 chances all season, 11 more than Bournemouth right-back Simon Francis (pending the Cherries’ rearranged closer at Old Trafford). Stoke’s Erik Pieters (116) and Chelsea full-back Cesar Azpicilicueta (1114) made more tackles, yet neither provide the same threat going forward. image: http://images.cdn.fourfourtwo.com/sites/fourfourtwo.com/files/styles/inline-image/public/christian_fuchs_0.jpg?itok=DXVluNNY Fuchs was superb in Leicester's stunning victory at Manchester City Tottenham’s Danny Rose and Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin may have delivered more eye-catching displays to be voted into the PFA’s team of the year, but Fuchs's dependability is what a manager craves from full-back. Indeed, his acknowledgement is a triumph for stout cloggers everywhere, ending three years of Everton dominance in the position after Leighton Baines (2015 and 2013) and Seamus Coleman (2014) surged to the title with their attacking zest over defensive nous. Eventually, it seems, playing in a Roberto Martinez backline catches up with you. PREVIOUS WINNERS 2014/15 Leighton Baines (Everton) 2013/14 Seamus Coleman (Everton) 2012/13 Leighton Baines (Everton) Vital victories Two games in particular stand out. In what proved title-shaping victories, Fuchs’s dead-ball delivery was vital in the 1-0 win at Tottenham in January and the 3-1 victory at Manchester City the following month. In both matches, the Austrian’s corners found Robert Huth’s granite forehead to create vital goals. The former was especially important, coming after a Christmas wobble of no wins in three games that had set tongues wagging that the Leicester crumble was on. That he was man of the match in two of the Foxes’ last three games – the 1-1 draw with Manchester United and 3-1 demolition of Everton to secure the title – speaks volumes for this fiercely determined competitor. Every team, then, would love a Christian Fuchs. And we haven’t even mentioned the endless pun possibilities that his surname – and MEGALOLZ #NoFuchsGiven brand – affords. Until now. Bugger. Read more at http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/stats-zone-premier-league-full-back-year-201516-christian-fuchs#UST2WoG0LdgQd6DD.99
Larry_LCFC Posted 17 May 2016 Posted 17 May 2016 He's an excellent player. Great with set pieces and generally a fun guy to have in the squad.
lgfualol Posted 17 May 2016 Posted 17 May 2016 and Chelsea full-back Cesar Azpicilicueta (1114) made more tackles, That's a lot. Fuchs has been amazing though. He's just a perfect signing, like many we've had in recent years. Top attitude, great player and great personality.
Guest MattP Posted 17 May 2016 Posted 17 May 2016 Arguably the signing of the summer on a free transfer, incredible piece of business. Best full back I've seen in a City shirt.
foxile5 Posted 17 May 2016 Posted 17 May 2016 I was absolutely overjoyed with the announcement we had signed him, I was very much aware of him through his internation career. Looking back I don't think that I could have ever suspected the value he would come to accumulate. Thoroughly deserved award...and at left back too!
Crinklyfox Posted 17 May 2016 Posted 17 May 2016 Best City left back I've seen in the last 30 years. Comes across as a likeable guy on interview as well.
Guest CityFan 06 Posted 17 May 2016 Posted 17 May 2016 One of the best left backs I've seen to be honest. He's class, great signing. You can tell he's played in the CL before. He can pick a pass, his crossing is excellent, defends well, good positional sense and much more. He's got all the attributes of a top defender and I think he will play a key role again next season both in the PL and in Europe.
TheSomersetFox Posted 17 May 2016 Posted 17 May 2016 I was hugely optimistic when we signed him, and he exceeded my expectations massively. Shocking to think that we were told defending was his weakness when he joined
The Blur Posted 17 May 2016 Posted 17 May 2016 Not only he has all skills to be a fantastic full back but he also have fitted in the squad very well with his laid back nature and his belief in the need for team spirit. Beside, his name is an translation for 'fox' in Austrian so he is born to play for us! A key man for next season with his experience in CL for sure.
Guest Manini Posted 17 May 2016 Posted 17 May 2016 Full back of the season now How long is it before we see Filbert's won mascot of the season as well, they can't stop throwing awards at us!
StanSP Posted 17 May 2016 Posted 17 May 2016 Best full-back I've seen in my time watching Leicester. Top class. Wand of a left foot. Still remember that cross for King's goal vs West Ham in the cup. Begging to be headed goalwards and duly was.
Harry96 Posted 17 May 2016 Posted 17 May 2016 Absolute class act. Love the guy definitely underrated by other teams fans
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