5 Players Who Found New Heights After Leaving Leicester City

Leicester City has seen its share of talent pass through its ranks, but are they really a club that nurtures legends, or is it more of a stepping stone for players destined for greatness elsewhere? For a team with a strong football culture, they seem to have a recurring theme: their stars shine brighter after leaving the King Power Stadium.

Here’s a closer look at five players who—perhaps, not so surprisingly—took their game to the next level once they left Leicester City.

1. Alan Smith

Let’s be clear: Alan Smith is a Leicester legend, no doubt. But here’s the catch—his best days were not in the East Midlands. After leaving Leicester for Arsenal, Smith soared. Two First Division titles and back-to-back Golden Boots speak volumes about what he achieved post-Leicester. Leicester fans may hold him dear, but Arsenal fans arguably saw the best of him. Is it fair to say Leicester was simply a warm-up?

2. Emile Heskey

Ah, “Super Emile”—beloved at Leicester, but let’s not ignore that his star really rose after his move to Liverpool. Sure, he helped Leicester win two League Cups, but after joining Liverpool, he expanded his trophy cabinet with another two League Cups, a UEFA Cup, and an FA Cup. Heskey became an England regular, with his time at Liverpool overshadowing his early Leicester days. Maybe the move was as much for Leicester’s benefit as it was his own.

3. Gary Lineker

Would any Leicester fan list be complete without Gary Lineker? Yet even the most die-hard fan must admit that his true acclaim came after leaving. When he moved to Barcelona in 1985, his career truly skyrocketed. A Ballon d’Or runner-up, Lineker reached heights Leicester could never have provided. He never won the Ballon d’Or, but he surely won more respect on Spanish soil than he could’ve dreamed of back home.

4. Ben Chilwell

Ben Chilwell’s time at Leicester started well enough, but by the end, his mind was clearly elsewhere. His departure for Chelsea might have left some Leicester fans feeling sour, but let’s be honest—he wouldn’t have a Champions League medal if he’d stayed. His form may have dipped towards the end at Leicester, but at Chelsea, he proved his worth. Perhaps Leicester should just admit that it’s hard to keep up with a player destined for bigger stages.

5. N’Golo Kanté

Who doesn’t love Kanté? His one season at Leicester was legendary, helping them secure a miracle Premier League title. But after he left, he didn’t just repeat the success—he elevated it. With Chelsea, he added another Premier League title, FA Cup, Champions League, Europa League, and the biggest prize of all: a World Cup with France. Leicester may have been the launch pad, but Chelsea—and the world stage—became his true home.