Leicester City Premier League 2014/15 Prediction: Foxes Can Upset Natural Order if Pearson Continues to Build

Last season

Championship: 1st

FA Cup: Third round

League Cup: Fifth round

Top scorer: David Nugent (22)

Summer's work

Leicester's business so far has been spilt into a handful of free transfers and the addition of one marquee arrival tasked with spearheading the club's attempts to make their stay in the top flight a permanent one.

Thai owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha handed Nigel Pearson £8m to bring Argentine Leonardo Ulloa to the King Power Stadium in the club's standout deal so far.

Former England international Matthew Upson will attempt to rid suggestions he is past his Premier League sell-by date after arriving on a free transfer, although a foot injury that rules him out of the start of the season has disrupted such plans.

And Marc Albrighton has also joined after being released by Aston Villa.

Former Manchester United youngsters Jack Barmby and Louis Rowley are now squad members having both failed to make the grade at Old Trafford.

And in one of the more remarkable stories of the transfer window, former Inter Milan and Argentina midfielder Esteban Cambiasso has reportedly been in talks with a move to the club.

Manager – Nigel Pearson

After allegedly been given no choice by former Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric but to leave the club in 2010, Nigel Pearson - currently in his second spell as manager - will have no shortage of motivation in his attempts to ensure the Foxes' return to the Premier League is not short-lived.

The manager's only previous Premier League experience comes from a spell in charge as caretaker manager at Newcastle United in 2007 but his education in the Championship suggests he is ready for the step up.

Pearson led Leicester through their best ever winning streak of nine straight victories last term before they embarked upon a 20-game unbeaten streak in March.

The 50-year-old has the unwavering trust of his players. Leicester's owners will be wise not to disrupt that.

Key player – Danny Drinkwater

Leicester City's survival hopes will largely rest on who they recruit this summer.

But if Danny Drinkwater is capable of managing the demands of the Premier League in a relatively smooth transition, his calming presence in midfield will go some way in ensuring the club can impose themselves against those they will be fighting for survival with.

Drinkwater, Kasper Schmeichel, Wes Morgan, Jamie Vardy among other represent a good core for Pearson to build on.

Expectations

Leicester may be back in the top flight after 10 years but their opening fixtures threaten to bring them back down to earn very quickly despite an unbeaten pre-season.

Everton (home), Chelsea (away), Arsenal (home) Stoke (away) and Manchester United (home) await the club within the first four weeks of the season.

Upsetting the natural order and replicating the feats of Crystal Palace and Hull from last season would mark a successful season at the King Power Stadium.

Prediction – 18th

Pearson's side are not here to merely make up the numbers. But the sides that will be battling around them come May have perhaps shown greater impetus in the transfer market this summer, which could prove costly for the Foxes.