With 2020 winding down, it’s time to look ahead to 2021 as we select five of our top picks to look out for in the 2021 LEC season.
We’ve seen major moves with Rekkles moving from Fnatic to G2 Esports, fresh young faces emerging, and veteran mid laner Perkz leaving for North America. In this article, we’ll look at some of the players that we think are worth keeping an eye on in 2021.
G2 Esports – Rekkles
It’s one of the biggest shocks of the pre-season, maybe the biggest shock since Caps left Fnatic for G2 Esports. Rekkles is Fnatic, and his departure sent shocks around the LEC fandom. Rekkles hasn’t always been the most glamorous of players in the LEC or on the world stage, however, he’s been a consistent performer for Fnatic over the years’ and surrounded by some of the EU’s best in role players at G2 Esports, Rekkles could shine.
The biggest loss for G2 in gaining Rekkles was the loss of their leader in Perkz. However, what they gain in Rekkles is a player of equal experience to Perkz and a player who’s proven to be a winner in his time in Europe.
MAD Lions – Armut
The young Turkish top laner was a hit with League of Legends fans at Worlds 2020. Despite his side ultimately not making it to the main event, he and his side SuperMassive turned heads by almost qualifying for the Group Stage. Armut was one of the main reasons people took notice of the side, and his stock shot up once the season was over. With rumours aplenty, it was MAD Lions who would step up and bring Armut to the side.
With MAD Lions making changes to the top lane and jungle for 2021, despite a strong showing in 2020, Armut could be the key to unlocking the potential of the MAD Lions roster. Which, at times, looked like a world-beating team. Sadly, they were unable to bring their regular-season form to Worlds, and, like Fnatic and Rogue were ultimately disappointing. However, if they can build on that strength in 2021, MAD Lions could be a dominant force.
Fnatic – Nisqy
Having spent the last two years in North America, Nisqy has returned home to Europe. Moving back to Fnatic, a side he was briefly a part of back in 2016/2017 in the sides Academy roster. Nisqy had a good time in the LCS with Cloud9 and has been drafted in to replace the outbound Nemesis who’s had a poor time at Fnatic in the past two years.
Having picked up one title with Cloud9 and having appeared once at Worlds with the side, Nisqy joins Fnatic with some good experience, however, he’ll need to hit the ground running if he wants to be successful in the LEC. With the league having more talent in the mid lane than ever (more on that later), Nisqy will need to step up to the plate to perform alongside a Fnatic side that ultimately failed in 2020.
Excel – Dan
Having spent the past two years knocking around at Fnatic Academy, Dan has finally made the step up to the LEC with his appearance at the 2021 LEC split with Excel Esports. Moving from one British organisation to another, Dan is looking likely to be the only British player in a starting LEC roster for the 2021 Spring Split.
Having won multiple UK & Ireland titles with Fnatic, Dan joined Excel as a fairly low-key signing. Don’t be fooled, however, with the coaching staff at Excel Esports, and young talent on the roster, Dan could excel in the LEC in Spring Split, especially with games likely to be played at home with LAN venues still unlikely for the start of 2021.
Rogue – Larssen
While he missed out to G2 Esports’ Caps for mid laner of the split for Summer Split, Larssen turned heads in 2020 with fans seeing the full potential of the young Swede once he joined the Rogue roster full time in 2020. Having spent most of 2019 with Rogue, playing alongside finishing University, Larssen has gone from strength-to-strength in the roster and has now fermented himself as one of the top talents in Europe.
With him staying at Rogue for at least another year, 2021 feels like the year Larssen brings out his full potential and begins to challenge Caps for his throne. Larssen has been praised by pundits and fans alike, as he looks to lead his Rogue side to a more successful showing at Worlds 2021.
