Which out-of-contract players should Leicester City keep this summer
By Matt Taylor
Danny Simpson:
The final title-winner who is out of contract this summer is Danny Simpson. Despite being deemed surplus to requirements by Puel at the beginning of the season, the 32-year-old has found himself back in contention due to Daniel Amartey’s unfortunate injury last year.
Signed from Queen’s Park Rangers in 2014, the Manchester-born right back has made 111 appearances for the Foxes and was yet another consistent performer in that famous title-winning team. He is known for his defensive qualities rather than dynamic attacking displays from full-back, so therefore doesn’t suit Leicester’s current style which is often very reliant on the performances of Ricardo Pereira and Chilwell.
He is also the only member of that famous XI that has never scored for City. However, that has not stopped him from registering some decent defensive performances this season in the absence of Amartey but, like his teammate Morgan, his slow decline is apparent.
The position of right-back had been an issue at Leicester for some time, with no obvious replacement for Simpson manifesting. This was finally addressed this season, both by the £22 million pound acquisition of Ricardo and the improved performances of Amartey, making the Ghanaian’s horrific injury all the more frustrating.
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Verdict:
This depends heavily on Amartey’s condition and recovery. Extending Simpson’s contract by a year just to ensure adequate cover at full-back, is an option. Alternatively, if City are to let him move on, they should phase in the promising talent of Josh Knight, who can operate at both right and central defence, in Simpson’s absence.