1. Leicester City (2016-17)

Leicester’s fall from the heights of their fairy-tale 2015-16 title win remains the worst-ever defending champion performance in Premier League history. Having defied the odds and won the Premier League with odds as high as 5000-1, Leicester’s title defence the following season was nothing short of disastrous. They finished in 12th place, a staggering drop from their first-ever Premier League title.

At one point, Leicester found themselves 17th in February, leading to the sacking of manager Claudio Ranieri, the man who had masterminded their historic triumph. Despite the mid-season turmoil, Leicester managed a recovery toward the end of the campaign, stringing together five consecutive wins to finish 12th. But their title defence remains the worst in terms of overall position and points drop.

2. Chelsea (2015-16)

Chelsea’s title defence in 2015-16 is another cautionary tale of a champions’ collapse. Having dominated the Premier League in 2014-15 under José Mourinho, the Blues experienced a catastrophic fall in the following season. Chelsea languished in 10th place, a far cry from their previous title-winning campaign. The most telling statistic, however, was the points gap: Chelsea finished 31 points behind Leicester, a shocking drop considering their dominant form the year before. Chelsea’s struggle that season remains one of the most dramatic declines in Premier League history.

Key Metrics in Title Defences

The most significant drop-offs in title defences are typically seen in points, goals scored, and goal difference. Let’s break down some key statistics to highlight where City stands in comparison:

1. Biggest Points Drop: The worst drop in points from a title-winning season occurred in 2015-16, when Chelsea dropped 24 points from their 2014-15 title-winning tally. Leicester’s 2016-17 season also saw a drop of 37 points, an almost unparalleled collapse. City, by comparison, have dropped only 7 points from last season’s 34-point total.
2. Biggest Goal Scoring Decline: Chelsea’s post-title scoring drought in 2015-16 was the most dramatic in Premier League history, with a drop of 17 goals from the previous season.
3. Goal Difference: Leicester hold the record for the largest goal difference swing, dropping from a positive 32 to a negative 15 in the following season, a decline of 47 goals. Chelsea’s 2015-16 season also saw a 31-goal difference drop.

Conclusion

While Manchester City’s 2024-25 season has been disappointing, especially compared to their dominant form in recent years, their title defence is not the worst in Premier League history. City are still in a position to make a recovery. Their situation is concerning, but it pales in comparison to the disastrous campaigns of Chelsea in 2015-16 and Leicester in 2016-17. City fans may not need to panic just yet, but they’ll certainly be hoping for a much-needed revival as the season progresses.