Leicester City – The deadwood must go

Attackers

Another overloaded area of the squad with 11 players vying for 4 positions if you include the wingers and attacking midfielder playing behind the lone striker. Jamie Vardy being the first name on the team sheet, new signing James Maddison and Kelechi Iheanacho covering the second striker – attacking midfielder role with Diabate, Albrighton and Gray covering the 2 winger positions with Riyad Mahrez expected to leave.

Leaving us with decisions to make on Islam Slimani, Shinji Okazaki, Leonardo Ulloa, Ahmed Musa and Bartosz Kapustka. Rumours of incoming wingers suggest that there will be more incoming’s in these areas too.

Islam Slimani is Leicester City’s record buy at £28 million in 2016. The 30-year-old striker is most know for his power and strength in the air rather than his pace and quick feet. With 8 goals in 35 appearances for the Foxes (majority not starts either) its hard to rule him out as an unsuccessful signing but after being sent out on loan in January to Newcastle it would suggest his Leicester City career is over.

VERDIT – SELL

Shinji Okazaki is a work horse and able to play in the number 9 role whilst playing a key role at a number 10 during the Premier League title season. However at 32 years old and performances dipping it remains to be seen whether he will be part of Claude Puels plans this season. With James Maddison signed in his number 10 role and Kelechi Iheanacho performing well at the end of the season it would be deemed unlikely he will be a key player for the Foxes next season. That being said, he can still be an important squad player and much will depend on his happiness to play that role for the club.

VERDIT – KEEP

Leonardo Ulloa has had an up and down career at Leicester with Foxes fans forever grateful for the goals he scored in the great escape season, as well as some vital goals in the title-winning season. However he made it known he was unhappy when he wasn’t getting game time under Claudio Ranieri in his 2nd season in charger and not much has changed under 2 managers after. He spent the 2nd half of the season on loan at Brighton last season and it seems his time is up at the King Power Stadium.

VERDIT – SELL

Bartosz Kapustka arrived at Leicester City in 2016 but has only made 2 FA Cup appearances for the club since his £7.5 million move from Cracovia. He spent last season on loan at SC Freiburg making 9 appearances and at 21 years old it is unsure where his future lies. The polish attacking midfielder has 14 international caps to his name and arrived with some promise after a good Euro 2016 tournament with Poland. For his development he may be loaned out again next season and much will depend on Claude Puel’s plans for him.

VERDIT – KEEP

Ahmed Musa arrived for a then club record fee of £16.6 million from Russian side CSKA Moscow. The Nigerian is able to play as a striker or as a left winger but has failed to make much of an impact in either position. Musa made 21 appearances in 2016 with 2 goals and 5 assists despite his rapid pace it seems he was too lightweight and easily knocked off the ball. He was sent back on loan to CSKA Moscow in January last season with his Leicester career seemingly over as he looks for another club.

VERDIT – SELL

Conclusion

Leicester have plenty of options to choose from however many of them do not seem to fit the style Puel wants to play or they do not have the quality from the Foxes to improve as a team. Therefore it seems Jon Rudkin has a lot of work to do to move on some of these players as well as bringing in new talent, so far so good Mr.Rudkin but now its time to move on the deadwood.

Next: Three reasons why Leicester City must sign Jack Wilshere