Leicester’s elite promotion night is set to suffer a nasty hangover as points deductions and player sales loom… but Enzo Maresca deserves huge credit for reviving their spirits.

Even the sweetest champagne can cause a painful hangover and despite returning to their Premier League status, Leicester City could be experiencing the aftermath of the day before all too soon.

A season that could end with 100 points and the league title gives rise to much celebration, but the problem is that the euphoria may not last too long.

For his first managerial role in English football, Enzo Maresca has fulfilled the mandate he accepted last summer and the atmosphere will be festive for the last two matches against Preston and Blackburn.

After promotion was confirmed by Leeds’ 4-0 defeat at QPR on Friday, several players and members of the Italian coaching staff had an impromptu knee-jerk at Maresca’s home.

Others gathered at Hamza Choudhury’s house. They still showed up for practice on Saturday and the team and coaching staff enjoyed a celebratory breakfast before starting the session.

Enzo Maresca has fulfilled his mission to bring Leicester back to the Premier League.

The manager and some of his players celebrate their promotion after Leeds’ defeat to QPR

The team enjoyed a celebratory breakfast before returning to training ahead of the final matches.

But the Foxes face a hefty points deduction after being accused of breaching spending rules, which could have a significant impact on their Premier League campaign before it has even started.

They have recorded losses of almost £90 million in 2022-23. When Leicester’s wage bill was similar to the club’s turnover but failed to deliver Champions League football in 2020 or 2021, the damage was done.

Had they failed to secure promotion this season a similar penalty could have been imposed in the Championship and the consequences of that should not be thought of.

Leicester have witnessed the financial crisis that has engulfed other Midlands clubs like Derby and West Brom in recent seasons and the immediate return to the top flight should, at least, allow them to avoid such a scenario.

To reduce the risk of further sanctions from the Premier League, players are likely to be sold this summer, with key midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall attracting interest from Brighton, Fulham and Brentford.

He is valued at around £30million and as a homegrown player, the 25-year-old’s transfer fee could be added to the balance sheet as pure profit – crucial to staying within profitability regulations and of sustainability. Other youth products like Choudhury, Sammy Braybrooke and Ben Nelson could also raise vital funds if sold, just as it would upset supporters to see the local lads leave.

High earners like Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi will likely leave on free transfers. Leicester are keen to retain Jannik Vestergaard and Jamie Vardy, but both may have to accept reduced tenures – although there is cautious optimism that Vardy, arguably the greatest player in the club’s history, will extend his stay beyond his 38th birthday.

Vardy has no plans to retire and believes he can continue beyond his 40th year. Supporters plan to pay tribute to the striker during the club’s final match of the season, at home to Blackburn on May 4.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could be sold this summer to help reduce financial penalties

Leicester legend Jamie Vardy may have to agree to lesser terms on any new contract

Although his powers are waning, Vardy has 18 goals in 35 games this season and his presence alone is worth keeping.

With long-serving Marc Albrighton set to say goodbye to the club this summer, Vardy will be the sole survivor of that remarkable 2016 Premier League title triumph.

Maresca deserves a lot of credit for his promotion. His dedication to the “idea” – the style of football introduced by the Dutch in the 1970s and taken up by Pep Guardiola – can sometimes seem a little pompous, but Guardiola’s former assistant didn’t have it easy.

Although Leicester may have had the best players and the highest wage bill in the league, the mentality of the relegated Premier League team was extremely fragile. Team spirit had drifted to the point that players barely spent time together at the club’s vast training base, with common areas left unused.

When Maresca arrived, he told the team to forget their Premier League past. Players who wanted to leave, like Vestergaard and Ndidi, knocked on Maresca’s door to say they had changed their minds and wanted to be part of it. Both played a vital role in this season’s triumph.

When Leicester faltered and saw the 14-point gap to third place reduced to one, supporters’ frustration with the slow, micromanaged passing game deepened. In the end, it was Leeds who lost their composure and form and Leicester managed to get over the line – but the hard work starts now.

Maresca believes the ‘idea’ will leave Leicester better equipped to handle the Premier League, although with little spending power he may have to make adjustments. Top attackers will be lining up to face a defensive line as fast as Vestergaard and Wout Faes.

Although it goes against Maresca’s principles, Leicester are extremely effective on the counter-attack, thanks to the pace of Stephy Mavididi and Abdul Fatawu and the insightful passing of Ricardo Pereira and Harry Winks.

Guardiola may have used broadly the same approach throughout his career, but he has always worked with many of the best players in the world. Most of his colleagues do not have this luxury and must use their resources accordingly. Will Maresca be cute enough to realize this?

Leicester insiders believe this season’s adversity will stand the team in good stead going forward.

The players have endured some adversity this season, which could help them when they return to the Premier League next season.

The manager deserves a lot of credit for the Foxes’ promotion and how he achieved it

Yet as summer approaches, there are many unknowns and clear communication is vital. Two years ago, boss Brendan Rodgers thought he would have funds to refresh his squad, only to be told at the start of pre-season that they were ultimately unavailable.

This tension with the club’s ownership has cast a cloud over the entire campaign and to avoid a repeat, Leicester must be honest with Maresca on financial matters.

Just as the Italian manager must learn from his mistakes this season, the management team must also learn from theirs in 2022.

If they don’t, the luster of this season’s accomplishments will quickly begin to fade.