When Wes Morgan and Claudio Ranieri lifted the Premier League trophy in 2016, skeptics were quick to burst the bubble of optimism in football by insisting that Cinderella history would never happen again.
While the rest of us wanted to tell the skeptics to shut up and demand that everything is possible in football, the more and more money being plowed into Europe’s elite clubs makes it hard not to agree that they have been awarded a point.
Christmas Lopetegui can make history if he can lead Sevilla to the title | Octavio Passos / Getty Images
But could Sevilla be on the verge of matching Leicester’s saga and proving to us that anything is still possible?
After opening its La Liga campaign with just two victories in six league trips, the European qualifier did not even see the cards, but thinking of a title challenge – and we all know that the Europa League is just not the same without Sevilla in it.
Since then, Julen Lopetegui’s side has been absolutely phenomenal and 12 victories from his previous 15 La Liga excursions have moved them to three points from league leaders Real Madrid.
Now we already know what you’re thinking; how the hell is this something even remotely like Leicester’s story?
After all, Sevilla have been mixing it up with La Liga’s big hitters for several years now – with this season marking their 20th consecutive campaign with a top ten finish – not to mention their fantastic Europa League appearances during the last two decades.
Can Leicester’s performance match? | Michael Regan / Getty Images
Leicester almost scraped Premier League survival the season before defying the odds of being crowned Premier League champions, so how can the two compare?
While we will not sit here and blow up the usual lazy ‘La Liga is a rubbish two-horse race’ rhetoric, it is impossible to argue with the statistics: since 1985, exactly twice as many teams (ten) have won the Premier League. La Liga (five) – it is a much more closed shop in Spain’s best flight.
So it’s harder to win La Liga, anything else? Well, as much as possible.
Despite being in and around the upper reaches of La Liga for what seems like an eternity, Sevilla have not been crowned Spanish champions in 75 years. While Leicester have never been champions in England before 2016, 75 years is about the same as forever.
One of the most aesthetically pleasing aspects of the Foxes’ triumph was the sight of Ranieri – a constant almost man – who finally established a top-class league title after years of failed attempts. Sevilla boss Lopetegui is in a very similar position.
Ivan Rakitic and Jesus Navas deserve La Liga glory with Sevilla | Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
Despite spells at Porto and Real Madrid, the Spaniard has never tasted success in the top-class league as a manager, with Europa League glory during his time in Sevilla the best he has managed – and let’s face it, more people have won the Europa League with Sevilla not yet at this time.
Another glorious aspect of Leicester’s triumph was the squad they had gathered that conquered the elite of English football.
The Foxes squad was a smorgasbord of players, with shootings from other clubs, players who had worked their way through the lower leagues, game veterans and unknown quantities from foreign shores.
In a similar type, Sevilla’s squad has a number of players with a point to prove, such as Luuk de Jong who failed to really do anywhere outside the Netherlands despite many attempts, and Papu Gomez who was forced out of Atalanta after a very public fall with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini .
Could Jamie Vardy’s story be told? | Power Sport Images / Getty Images
At the same time, the idea of veterans Ivan Rakitic and Jesus Navas – the latter of the two academics in Seville – returning to their former club and helping them secure their first La Liga title in 75 years is almost enough to get a tear in the eye.
And finally, how could we forget the Super League?
It would be foolish to suggest that not everyone in Europe was willing to Leicester when they looked to win the Premier League title in 2016, but what could be better than little ol Sevilla to take on the three Spanish giants who signed up for the motto, selfish, abominable Super League?
The breakaway competition did something that had never been achieved before in uniting all European football fans through a mutual hatred of the idea, and Sevilla’s desire for success in La Liga does not just belong to Seville – it belongs to us all.
Yes, Leicester’s saga was incredible, but Sevilla’s has the potential to be just as magical.
