Although Leicester City has already added a few players, Steve Cooper’s team still needs to be strengthened, thus our writers have determined who the team should recruit next.
Leicester City has started their transfer window with three new players, one new contract sorted, and Abdul Fatawu yet to arrive.
However, it’s unlikely that Steve Cooper’s team is quite ready for the Premier League just yet. There is still work to be done before City starts its battle for survival.
What comes next, then? Here, three writers for LeicestershireLive have listed the players and positions they believe should be strengthened.
Leicester appears to have sprung into action during the transfer window as evidenced by the acquisitions of Abdul Fatawu, Michael Golding, Bobby De Cardova-Reid, and Caleb Okoli by City. Prior to the upcoming season, the roster does require reinforcement, much as every recently promoted team. The central midfield position is one area that need more focus.
Wilfred Ndidi’s decision to stay longer at the team means that more attacking midfield players will be needed, particularly in light of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s departure for Chelsea. Prior to then, City lacked midfield players.
Under Cooper, I anticipate Ndidi returning to his more natural defensive position. To balance him and Harry Winks, City needs more players who are inherently aggressive.
Although Michael Golding’s arrival will provide them an alternative, it might be too much to expect him to have an instant impact given his youth and lack of first-team experience. It has already been indicated that Callum O’Hare, who departed Coventry City at the conclusion of his contract, might be a wise addition on a free transfer.
Last season, City came very close to loaning James McAtee from Manchester City. Enzo Maresca may have been the driving force for that acquisition, but City ought to consider him during the current transfer window.
Josh HollandUnusually, Leicester City has improved the team this summer really quickly. Although Bobby De-Cordova Reid’s news has given us more hope, there is still more to be done.
Caleb Okoli’s arrival certainly improve Cooper’s center-back options, particularly in the event that a back three is used. The objective should be to find a deep-lying playmaker like Harry Winks, especially if Wilfred Ndidi has extended his contract.
Based on Cooper’s possible 3-4-3 formation, the midfield is obviously undermanned to compete in the Premier League. I’d like to see Callum O’Hare sign with King Power Stadium, and Amir Richardson, who was recently connected, is capable of filling both positions.
Florentino Luis of Benfica is a top-tier European talent who would be a fantastic addition. He will cost money, though, and it appears that the team is finally learning from its past and making the most of the free agent market.
Jordan BlackwellWith Dewsbury-Hall out of the picture, an attacking midfielder is unquestionably City’s first priority. Being able to connect with the striker and wingers while balancing the role of creator and goalscorer might mean the difference between survival and relegation. The difference would be enormous even with five goals and five assists.
Out of all the players connected to City, Matias Soule of Juventus appears to be quite good. He played for a Frosinone squad that was demoted, was only 21 years old, and led some Serie A for vital passes in the previous season. It appears that he has a very high ceiling.
Though he is undoubtedly the best player City has been connected to, it is unclear if he would feel at ease playing in the center of the field. He cut to his left and played a large portion of the previous season on the right wing. He was still a little bit out to the right even when played more in the center. The city needs someone to support Abdul Fatawu rather than stand in his way.
Among the others who have been connected to City and who operate in that field are Albert Gronbaek at Bodo/Glimt and Matt O’Riley at Celtic, who appears to be heading to Atalanta. While the bar would rise significantly in the Premier League, the 23-year-old Dane has been consistently contributing to goals and assists in Norway for the past two seasons. He has also shown well in the Europa Conference League.
Cameron Puertas is one guy that hasn’t been connected to City but that they should keep an eye on. The 25-year-old, who scored and provided an assist against King Power-owned OH Leuven, was named Belgium’s player of the year the previous campaign. He recorded 14 goals in all competitions, including the game-winning Europa League strike against Liverpool, and an incredible 23 assists.
Considering that several of those assists came from dead balls, Puertas is an even better fit. With Dewsbury-Hall gone, City need a new free-kick and corner taker. It will also benefit new set-piece coach Andrew Hughes if the team has a player who regularly makes dangerous deliveries.
