After Matthew Upson’s late own goal against Everton cost Leicester City a much needed win on Sunday, the odds are stacked against the Foxes avoiding the drop. However, in Andrej Kramaric and Esteban Cambiasso, Leicester have what they need to ensure Premier League survival.

There’s no denying that the three points Leicester were so close to securing at Goodison Park would have helped immeasurably in the run-in to the end of the season.

The Foxes are bottom of the table and now four points adrift.

With away trips to Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in March, it’s not getting any easier for Nigel Pearson’s side to claw their way to safety. 

Nevertheless, there are encouraging signs for Leicester, starting with their record-signing Kramaric.

The £9.5 million man arrived in January having scored 28 goals in 31 appearances for Rijeka this season, including seven in the UEFA Europa League. 

Leicester have often played well but paid the price for not taking their chances. The prolific Kramaric can add the clinical edge they need to start turning these performances into wins.

Since arriving, the Croatian is already off the mark with two goals, including this perfectly placed header against Aston Villa in the FA Cup:

This is very important as foreign players often take time to acclimatise to the Premier League. In finding the net already, the 23-year-old has eased the pressure placed on himself considerably.

Of course, the pressure of his price tag and the need to keep City in the league still weigh heavily, but breaking your duck can often be a big obstacle for new signings. 

Kramaric has also demonstrated more to offer than just goals.

The striker boasts a passing accuracy of 84 percent in his five league showings (h/t Squawka), bettered only by Andy King, of the players who have made the same number of appearances or more.

Kramaric is yet to make a key pass for his new side in the league, but he has impressed with his link-up play. In his recent performance against Arsenal (below), the forward looked comfortable in possession and brought others into play. 

To get the most out of Kramaric, manager Pearson may need to rethink his 5-4-1 formation of recent weeks.

The formation has left Kramaric isolated up front, causing the Croatian to drop deep in order to involve himself in play, effectively leaving the Foxes strikerless. As you can see from his heat map against Everton (h/t Squawka), Kramaric spent little time where he is needed most—the penalty area.

Partnering him with Leonardo Ulloa or Jamie Vardy—devastatingly effective on Sunday—would give him an outlet to feed off and give the team a body in the box to finish chances.

Leicester’s other ace in the hole is Cambiasso, who put in a man-of-the-match performance against Everton.

The classy midfielder is the most decorated footballer in Argentinian history, having won La Liga with Real Madrid, and five Serie A titles and the UEFA Champions League with Inter Milan.

The 34-year-old has been a consistent performer despite his advancing years, and has had a profound effect on his team-mates.

Foxes first-team coach Kevin Phillips revealed to Sky Sports on Cambiasso‘s arrival that injured players had taken their exercise bikes outside just to watch him train.

Further, Dean Jones of the Mirror reports the veteran as getting involved in discussions with Pearson over the team setup and helping the players adjust to top-flight football.

Speaking to the Leicester Mercury, fellow midfielder Matty James is full of praise for Cambiasso and his positive influence on the team:

“It is really good playing with him and you learn a lot from him. Being the player he is and where he has come from, you can’t help but learn from him.”

A player of Cambiasso‘s almost unrivalled experience is something none of Leicester’s relegation rivals can boast, and this can inspire the Foxes as they approach the end of the season.

Leicester are playing better than table suggests. Though they have lost 16 games, nine were by just one goal and none by more than two.

Despite Man City and Spurs looming, the Foxes also have winnable games coming up. Trips to West Brom and Burnley in April will be crucial.

Importantly, four of their last five games are at the King Power. With the supporters right behind them and the team fighting for their lives, the stage is set for Leicester to perform what would be one of the most memorable great escapes.

With Kramaric and Cambiasso leading the charge, it will be all smiles in Leicester on May 24.

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