Celebrating Fuchs’ Wonderful Foxes Career
As transfers go, the acquisition of Christian Fuchs must be heralded in terms of value for money and importance to the Football Club.
Arriving from German Bundesliga outfit Schalke 04 on a three-year contract in the summer of 2015, the Neunkirchen-born defender was a relatively unknown figure on English shores, though he had significant European pedigree.
Also formerly of Wiener Neustadt, SV Mattersburg, VfL Bochum and Mainz 05, Fuchs had made 393 appearances in Austrian and German football, including 31 outings in continental competitions.
But he would become a cult hero amongst the Blue Army, appearing 152 times during his hugely successful spell in the Midlands.
Under new manager Claudio Ranieri early in 2015/16, Fuchs had to bide his time in the opening two months of the season as Academy graduate Jeffrey Schlupp was handed a starting berth at full-back.
It was for a visit to Carrow Road to face Norwich City on 3 October, 2015, however, which provided Fuchs with his full Premier League debut - and it would be one to remember. Jamie Vardy and Schlupp sealed all three points and one of City’s 23 league triumphs during an unforgettable campaign.
As Leicester’s unfancied title charge gathered momentum, milestones were already being hit and history was being made along the way, including Vardy’s Premier League record for scoring in 11 consecutive top flight games.
It was Fuchs’ sublime pass which sent City’s No.9 through for the goal that broke the record, against Manchester United on 28 November, 2015.
A key member of that 2015/16 Premier League title-winning squad, appearing on 32 occasions during the most memorable of seasons, Fuchs had made the left-back spot his own.
As champions of England, qualification for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League had been secured for the first time in the Club’s history, and in Fuchs, they had a player with experience of playing in Europe’s most prestigious competition.
Leicester won their opening three group stage fixtures, with Fuchs starting in each, including the memorable opener in Belgium against Club Brugge.
Following on from that impressive 3-0 victory at Jan Breydel Stadium on 14 September, 2016, Porto and FC Copenhagen were both put to the sword on Filbert Way, with City still yet to concede a goal.
A fourth consecutive shutout preceded a win which confirmed their place in the Round of 16, and again Fuchs was an ever-present in the two-legged victory over Sevilla.
The former Austria captain, who received 78 caps for his country, had previously appeared in the tournament for Schalke and that know-how helped to guide the Foxes into the knockout rounds.
It was a stage that Fuchs was accustomed to, having netted in a last 16 clash against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu just a few months prior to joining the Foxes.
Although the impressive run would come to an end in a narrow aggregate defeat to Atlético Madrid, there is no doubting Fuchs’ role in Leicester’s first foray into Champions League football.
Domestically, meanwhile, the now 35-year-old was to add his name to the scoresheet in a City shirt for the very first time with a stunning half-volley in a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace on 26 October, 2016, wrapping up a much needed three points.
And, two seasons later, the full-back struck possibly an even sweeter effort to claim the Club’s Goal of the Season prize.
Coming against Fleetwood Town in the second round of the Carabao Cup on 28 August, 2018, Fuchs opened the scoring in spectacular style, volleying into the top corner from the edge of the area as part of a 4-0 success for Claude Puel's men.
December 2019 brought a momentous milestone for the Austrian, as he reached a century of Premier League appearances for the Foxes.
Outlining his longevity and commitment to the Football Club, it was celebrated in style as City maintained a clean sheet and their seventh successive top flight success, defeating Watford 2-0 on Filbert Way.
The 2019/20 season saw Fuchs feature prominently in the cup competitions under Brendan Rodgers, which brought runs to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and quarter-finals of the Emirates FA Cup.
Although not featuring as regularly in recent years, Fuchs has nevertheless remained a popular and lively character with players and supporters alike.
His experience has been vital in the final stages of his Leicester career, assisting the likes of Luke Thomas and James Justin in making their mark as young full-backs, both learning from a seasoned professional in the squad’s ranks.
Fuchs has no doubt cemented his legacy as a Leicester City legend and the fans’ favourite will be forever remembered as a major figure in the historic Premier League winning squad.
And it was fitting that, mirroring his maiden season as a Fox, Fuchs’ final campaign ended with silverware to celebrate, as the Club clinched the FA Cup for the very first time.