So, it has happened. The most improbable love story. The happy ending they said didn't happen in real life. The stuff of glorious fantasies. Leicester City are the champions of England and the world has fallen in love with them.
The Foxes won the English Premier League title courtesy a 2-2 draw played out at Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and Tottenham. And while the Blues held their London rivals to a draw, the other Blues won!
What a remarkable end to a remarkable season. And what sweet vindication for Claudio Ranieri who was sacked by Roman Abramovic and was written off at the start of this season. The Tinkerman took Leicester from relegation contenders to title winners. A fitting slap in the face for modern-day football as typified by the Chelsea owner's hire-and-fire policy. He never really gave credit to Claudio for the work he did before a certain Jose Mourinho came in and took the Blues to glory in 2015.
From the championship to the Champions League. Ranieri says he will fight to finish in the top ten next year and it may well be true. The pressure of Europe takes its toll on the best of squads and Leicester will feel the pinch next season; but if they can pick up a few more players like Riyad Mahrez and N'golo Kante, then they can fight for a top six finish.
This hasn't been a typical Premier League season with multiple clubs in transition. That looks set to continue next year. Guardiola will need time to get to grips with the hustle and bustle of England, Manchester United are still battling their manager conundrum, Klopp will be looking to rebuild a patchy Liverpool and Conte is literally starting at the bottom. Tottenham and Arsenal are the only ones who look truly settled but they have shown this season that they can bottle it at the worst of times.
Spare a thought also for Nigel Pearson. If it wasn't for him, the Foxes would be in England's second-tier competition. He showed at the end of last season that this Leicester team has the spirit to never give up and that has continued this year.
On paper Leicester is a team devoid of star dust but in reality it is a team full of unlikely heroes. Wes Morgan, Okazaki, Albrighton are players no top club would fancy but they have shown that the sum of its parts is greater than the whole.
Dilly ding dilly dong.
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