Why Leicester City didn’t NEED to panic-buy on transfer deadline day

Despite receiving a world record fee for Harry Maguire, Leicester City decided against splashing on a deadline day replacement in central defence.

With Leicester City’s only deadline day acquisition being long-term target, Dennis Praet, for a reported fee of £18 million, they have arguably failed to strengthen in two key areas.

Ayoze Perez moving to the King Power earlier this summer went some way to bolstering City’s wide options, while the potential of Harvey Barnes and Demarai Gray offer sufficient quality on the flanks to at least maintain a top-half finish this season.

Although, since the departure of Riyad Mahrez, there has been an alarming lack of goals and assists coming from out wide.

Therefore, the absence of marquee winger arriving this summer will undoubtedly disappoint fans, many of whom believing that Leicester are a top wide man away from breaking into the top six.

The arrival of Praet for such a modest fee also gives Brendan Rodgers the option to operate a diamond system, with the new midfielder reuniting with fellow countryman and former Anderlecht teammate, Youri Tielemans.

Praet, whose manager described him as one of the best midfielders in Serie A, looks an absolute coup for the Foxes, who have added superb depth in the creative department this summer.

The main point of contention, however, is who will partner the ever-reliable Jonny Evans for much of this season, following Maguire’s exorbitant departure to Manchester United.

With the Foxes being priced out of late moves for both James Tarkowski and Nathan Ake, Caglar Soyuncu seems the likely candidate to step up into the starting XI.

Also, the likes of Wes Morgan, Filip Benkovic and even Alex Pascanu offer decent depth in the centre of defence, with an interesting blend of youth and experience.

Such depth was secured a year ago with the August additions of Benkovic and Soyuncu preemptively ensuring that Leicester would not need to panic-buy in the event of Maguire leaving late in the transfer window.

Above all, a strong partnership is essential in central defence. If Soyuncu or Benkovic get a good run of games alongside Evans, they will surely learn from the 31-year-old’s vast experience and develop into key figures for the Foxes. To read more on Praet’s deal, go to lcfc.com.