Leicester City's Premier League title winners are reportedly facing the possibility of huge pay cuts if the unthinkable should happen and the Foxes becoming only the second team in the history of English football to be relegated while still reigning champions - Manchester City were the first and last all the way back in 1937/38.
According to a report from The Times, a number of star players who agreed bumper new deals in the wake of last season's incredible Premier League triumph will be hit by wage reduction clauses of up to 40% should the club tumble into the Championship.
Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez both penned new contracts worth £100,000-per-week during the summer, while goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel also agreed a similar deal and midfielder Danny Drinkwater signed on for a new £80,000 weekly pay packet.
It is suggested that Islam Slimani, among other high profile arrivals since becoming champions, will also be in line for a pay cut as well, with the club clearly having wanted to financially protect themselves should the scenario, however unlikely, actually come to pass.
Leicester are now precariously placed just one point above the relegation zone after Sunday's collapse at the hands of Manchester United, prompting an honest Schmeichel to use words such as 'unacceptable' and 'embarrassing' in his post-match media interview.
The alarming slump comes as a report from the Daily Mirror has also revealed that manager Claudio Ranieri, who would see his pay slashed too, has frustrated players by implementing too many changes to tactics and team selections when last season's starters were so settled.
It is also said that he has angered players over removing chicken burgers from the food menu. The burgers were a popular post-match staple en-route to Premier League glory, but they have been replaced by pasta in 2016/17 and the squad are apparently less than pleased.
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