Who will leave by transfer deadline

Leicester City have a large squad. Expect sales and loans as the cull comes by August 9.

Overpaid and underperforming fringe players cause tremendous stress on wage bills and their careers stutter. Removing them is a must when identified as surplus. Especially for a club wanting to achieve what Leicester City does. Yet, which players should and will the Midlands club rid themselves of this summer?

Transfer deadline is fast approaching on August 9; a day before Leicester City travel to face Manchester United in the Premier League opener. Yet the Foxes have an abundance of mediocre talent to tend to.

At the time of writing, there are 37 senior and Development squad players currently listed in the first team on the lcfc.com website. I deduce the absentee players against Valencia are no longer required at the King Power Stadium. These include: Ahmed Musa, Bartosz Kapustka, Leonardo Ulloa and Islam Slimani.

Uncertain

Danny Simpson and Andy King played for the U23s earlier in the day but seem out of favour too, respectively, in regards of quality in order to qualify for the Europa League. Demarai Gray is injured, apparently.

Leicester Mercury describe manager Claude Puel’s thought’s on the subject: “they [all missing players apart from Gray] weren’t injured but he had to protect them mentally as they try to find a solution.”

Puel spoke on the issue after the Valencia friendly:

"“Sometimes there is something that isn’t an injury, in the brain, and it is important to protect them. We have a lot of players and it will be important to take a decision one time about our list for the Premier League games. We know we have 32 or 33 players. I have to take decisions of course but it is not easy.”– Claude Puel (Via: Leicester Mercury)"

The media outlet go on to say: “Several clubs have come in for Slimani and Musa, but only for loans, and City would prefer to cash in, but Puel vowed they would show respect for the players.”

If I had the Frenchman’s choice, hypothetically and providing the recruitment and analysis staff agreed, I would attempt to keep Musa. Leicester City have minimal effective wingers and he proved in the World Cup once again that he can cause problems for top class defences. And indifferent ones – let’s be honest. That is an important factor in stalemate matches against lesser league opposition.

Ulloa is also a relatively cheap option to keep as a third pick experienced striker; backing-up Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho. Whereas Slimani’s transfer cost and wages leads me to understand he is best sold and not loaned in case of injury and misfiring while loaned.

Kapustka did not impress with minimal chances; yet fared better at other European clubs so I suggest a permanent move. This leaves us pondering incoming transfers again for positions with less adept depth. However, Nampalys Mendy seems to be in the thoughts of his chief and countryman; when fit for a decent period he can impress.

Promoting youth

Leicester City’s boss is renowned for helping guide youth, while placing them in and around the first team. Particularly noteworthy is his development and trust in a young Eden Hazard: while managing the Foxes final friendly opponents on Saturday, Lille. Hopefully this trend continues and we discover or help mature a player half the quality of the Belgian.

Against the Bats, or Valencia, Puel fielded six of the U23 side. After making the statement about becoming closer to knowing his squad and attempting to use a line-up in preparation of the premiership clash with Manchester United – we know who is in favour and who is not. Expect movements this weekend and leading up to Thursday. Foxes of Leicester contributor Andy Bisnos names which players he believes will be involved this season, below.

We may discover all defending options – possibly except Ricardo Pereira understudy, Danny Simpson – will stay due to low numbers. Darnell Johnson has played comfortably and confidently at right-back for the U23s: possibly giving Simpson incentive to find first team football elsewhere. Even the liability, yet likeable, Yohan Benalouane may still be here come January.

Josh Gordon and Layton Ndukwu looked capable and keen to impress, yet raw in Wednesday’s first team warm-up. Josh Knight commits to every challenge defensively. George Thomas is the player I have heard the most positive mentions of. And Hamza Choudhury will be playing more Premier League games.

Choudhury’s progression is extremely impressive as Adrien Silva, Vicente Iborra and Wilfred Ndidi are his peers. The Blue Army will always give exiting footballers a fond farewell – the club now emphasise firmly on emerging youth. Without Vardy and Harry Maguire against the Red Devils, someone has to step up – and can make a name for themselves.