Leicester City’s January clear-out: Should he stay or should he go?
By James Lassey
With the January transfer market looming and many players uncertain about their futures, who should manager Claude Puel aim to keep and allow to leave.
Puel has been at the helm for 12 games, a reign which has seen him field 21 of the 27 squad players available to him.
However, some players remain sceptical as to whether they will be playing their football at the King Power Stadium come the end of the January market.
So what player warrants a second chance and who has outstayed their welcome, Foxes of Leicester investigates.
Ahmed Musa
Having arrived with the added pressure of the £20 million Leicester City transfer record on his head, Ahmed Musa has failed to live up to the hype and hefty price tag.
He has featured once this season having scored in the 4-1 EFL Cup win over Sheffield United and has since found himself at the bottom of the pecking order.
Puel already has five players who play in his position and they all boast more reasons to start.
Having ventured to England following a good season with his former employer CSKA Moscow, where he scored 18 goals in 44 appearances the season before, Musa has struggled.
Related Story: Ahmed Musa told to leave Leicester City
Without making any impact whatsoever and not really having the opportunity to do so, his six starts last season are hardly memorable.
The 25-year-old has the pace but he needs to have more strings to his bow. He can go missing in games and in such a result driven league, you cannot afford to have two poor games on the bounce.
The Nigerian paved his rise to the top end of the Russian league yet lies in the epicentre of his downfall.
Despite Puel saying no decision has been made, I expect Musa to not only leave Leicester but to exit the Premier League altogether.
Islam Slimani
The highly wanted striker has seen his Leicester City chances come at a premium and despite his recent substitute appearance last time out, Islam Slimani’s exit seems inevitable.
No other than five Premier League clubs have been reported to be interested in the Algeria international and due to his physical style of play, he is not coherent with the plans Puel has in place.
Related Story: What’s gone wrong for Leicester City’s Islam Slimani?
With the right philosophy, opportunities and type of players surrounding the six-foot-two forward, he could set the Premier League alight.
The King Power stadium environment does not fit Slimani , they have a sole striker in Jamie Vardy, a quick counter-attacking style he only stalls and the type of technical players who love to have the ball at their feet.
Problems that the former Sporting Lisbon man won’t overcome and his departure looks imminent.
Leonardo Ulloa
Aston Villa lead the race in signing want-away striker Leonardo Ulloa, who has made it no secret in recent times that he yearns a Leicester City exit.
With only 19 Premier League minutes under his belt this season, can you really blame the Argentine?
Two EFL Cup starts is as close as the striker has got to first team football and Ulloa, who doesn’t have the argument for development on his side at 31-years-old, looks to be on his way out.
It has been reported that Puel will only look to offload the forward if the Frenchman can find a replacement.
This is harder said than done as not many strikers will scope the Foxes as a wishful destination due to the knowledge that Vardy is top dog.
How many forwards can you name that are more than happy to stand in the shadows while their fellow teammate grabs the headlines, Fernando Llorente at Tottenham is the only player that comes to my mind.
Kelechi Iheanacho
A player with so much potential yet so many flaws. the Nigerian deserves a chance to develop and hopefully Puel and co will give him the time to.
Related Story: Kelechi Iheanacho: From potential Leicester City star to Foxes misfit
He has shown he has the credentials to perform in the Premier League, 12 goals last campaign for Manchester City is a return not to be overlooked, equilivates to a goal every 107 minutes.
Given the right guidance and development programme he can still become a key man for Leicester City.