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Can Leicester City break into the Premier League top-six under Brendan Rodgers?

By Matt Taylor

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - APRIL 06: Brendan Rodgers, Managelr of Leicester City looks on prior to the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Leicester City at John Smith's Stadium on April 06, 2019 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - APRIL 06: Brendan Rodgers, Managelr of Leicester City looks on prior to the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Leicester City at John Smith's Stadium on April 06, 2019 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /
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LEICESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 24: Islam Slimani of Leicester City celebrates scoring his sides second goal with team mates during the Caraboa Cup Fourth Round match between Leicester City and Leeds United at The King Power Stadium on October 24, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 24: Islam Slimani of Leicester City celebrates scoring his sides second goal with team mates during the Caraboa Cup Fourth Round match between Leicester City and Leeds United at The King Power Stadium on October 24, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Competency for Leicester City in the transfer market is vital

A deciding factor in Rodgers’ ambitious aims of breaking into the top six concerns recruitment. Leicester City’s intentions this summer should be straightforward. Smart imports, with minimal exports.

At the very top of Jon Rudkin’s shopping list during the summer window should be current Leicester loanee, Youri Tielemans. The Belgian midfielder, who joined the Foxes in January, has already registered two goals, three assists and 12 key passes in his short time in the Premier League.

Beyond his impressive statistics, the 21-year-old has been integral in implementing the new 4-3-3 system that has allowed City to dominate the lesser sides since Rodgers’ appointment. His role alongside James Maddison and Wilfred N’Didi in midfield has been essential to Leicester’s recent run of scintillating form.

However, with reported interest from Tottenham and Manchester United, the Foxes will have to throw everything at Monaco to sign their Belgian starlet. When asked about making the move permanent this summer, Rodgers kept his cards relatively close to his chest:

"“He was coming on loan, and I have to respect he is a Monaco player,” “Would I like to work with him? Of course; he is a wonderful talent alongside the other talents we have. “But that is something that can hopefully be organised between the clubs. We will see what we can organise at the end of the season.” Via Telegraph"

The next priority this summer should be hanging on to the wealth of talent plying their trade at the King Power. With Ben Chilwell, James Maddison and Harry Maguire (Among others) constantly being linked with moves to top European clubs, Leicester will have their work cut out if they are to keep their young squad together.

Finally, there are two areas that require attention this summer. The first of which is a goal-scoring winger, to ease the load currently on Harvey Barnes and Demarai Gray in the absence of the injured Marc Albrighton.

A signing similar to the calibre of Felipe Anderson to West Ham would be ideal, with the likes of Nicolas Pepe, Hakim Ziyech and Hatem Ben Arfa all having been linked with a move to the Foxes in the last 12 months. Any of these three have the potential to take City to the next level.

The second area that needs addressing is up front. Although Jamie Vardy has proved that he is far from finished, having scored 16 Premier League goals this season, there is an alarming lack of depth in the strike department at Leicester.

With Shinji Okazaki on the decline, and Kelechi Iheanacho suffering a crisis of confidence, reinforcements are required. Aleksandar Mitrovic is the prime candidate to solve this problem.