Leicester City’s 25-man Premier League squad assessed

All 20 top-flight clubs have submitted a list of 25-players to be registered for Premier League football in 2018/19. There are not usually many surprises in those announcements; yet this time, the careers of four Leicester City players were under scrutiny.

There are a few stipulations surrounding the roster. According to premierleague.com:

"“Each squad contains no more than 17 players who do not fulfil the Home Grown Player (HGP) criteria.“A ‘Home-Grown Player’ means a player who, irrespective of nationality or age, has been registered with any club affiliated to The Football Association or the Football Association of Wales for a period, continuous or not, of three entire seasons, or 36 months, before his 21st birthday (or the end of the season during which he turns 21).”"

In addition to the HGP rules, there are under-21 player parameters:

"“Under-21 players are eligible over and above the limit of 25 players per squad.“For the 2018/19 campaign Under-21 players will have been born on or after 1 January 1997.”"

Ok, that is the boring formalities out-of-the-way; let’s get down to serious business. The four players whose destiny was precarious are: Danny Simpson, Andy King, Yohan Benalouane and Callum Elder.

Andy King, Leicester City’s longest-serving player, was omitted from the squad – as reported by BBC Sport above. This was not much of a surprise – King finds himself out of favour with manager Claude Puel and well down the pecking order.

A successful loan for the Welshman to Swansea materialised last campaign. So, many supporters wanted that type of necessity for the 29-year-old again. Yet, this correct decision leaves the 3-tier champion in complete limbo.

However, the judgment remains accurate for the Foxes – the club legend got a lengthy, costly contract in 2016 which always seemed excessive and sentimental. Yes, King is a good player and club servant – but has not been in the main plans for three years. Some believe injured Matty James’ inclusion is odd and King should be there instead.

Benalouane is often out in the cold at the King Power Stadium. In three seasons he has made just 16 appearances. Wow. It is astonishing that, despite playing under three self-devaluing bosses, he is still at Leicester City. In fact, he only appeared four times in the premiership title-winning campaign – meaning he did not even get a medal.

This man’s agent needs to advise his client more realistically – even if that requires less commission. The Tunisian international is an extremely committed and loyal footballer – this writer wants the 31-year-old to find a home with appreciation.

Elder is a left-sided Australian full-back/wing-back, also occasionally used on the right. That is because he is competent with both feet. A utility player is often useful. He joined Leicester City at age-16. Now 23, this is a blow for Elder’s King Power aspirations under Puel. While Elder hugely impressed during his loan to Wigan Athletic last campaign, he is not a favourite here. With Christian Fuchs still pushing the marvelous Ben Chilwell – there is no place available.

Made the cut

Danny Simpson is included. After being completely left-out this term and consistently playing for the development squad – it is quite a U-turn. This conclusion actually appears more and more justifiable, as Leicester City constantly struggle for an adequate right-back.

Ricardo Pereira certainly gives the impression he is more suitable as a right-midfielder or winger. To be honest, Simpson is not at the standard required by the club; yet is preferable to Daniel Amartey and may force his way back into considerations.

25-men

Albrighton, Marc Kevin*
Amartey, Daniel
Chilwell, Benjamin James*
Diabate, Fousseni
Evans, Jonathan Grant*
Fuchs, Christian
Ghezzal, Rachid
Gray, Demarai Remelle*
Iborra, Vicente
Iheanacho, Kelechi
Jakupovic, Eldin
James, Matthew Lee*
Maddison, James Daniel*
Maguire, Harry*
Mendy, Nampalys
Morgan, Westley Nathan*
Ndidi, Onyinye Wilfred
Okazaki, Shinji
Pereira, Ricardo
Schmeichel, Kasper Peter*
Silva, Adrien Sebastien Perruchet
Simpson, Daniel Peter*
Soyuncu, Caglar
Vardy, Jamie*
Ward, Daniel

* Indicates HGP

Filip Benkovic is on loan to Celtic – we will have a piece published on that situation later – the Croatian is not in the Premier League squad either.