The 2020/21 Premier League season has only just drawn to a close, but with a summer filled with football, the next campaign is just around the corner. With key players returning from injury, and a few rumoured signings, let’s take a look at how Leicester City could lineup for the first game of next season.
Probably the most settled area of the pitch is with the defence and goalkeeper. Kasper Schmeichel’s summer will be spent as Denmark’s number one, and upon his return, he’ll maintain that position for the Foxes. Arguably nearing the twilight stages of his career – although many would suggest a goalkeeper remains in their prime deep into their thirties, I don’t think Brendan Rodgers and the recruiting staff require strengthening in this area. Especially with another potential International starter – Danny Ward and Wales – providing backup.
After shifting to a transitional back three/five formation to see out the previous season, Rodgers will look to integrate his preferred back four structure (probably in a 4-2-3-1) with the likes of Harvey Barnes returning from injury – and the additional rumours of right-sided wingers being targeted by the Foxes. In defence, this means they’ll be utilising just two of the three starting centre-backs. There’s doubts surrounding the fitness of both Jonny Evans and Wesley Fofana, with Caglar Söyüncü also being a key figure in the Turkey national side for the Euro’s. If all of them are fit, I believe Evans and Fofana will start the season as the favoured partnership – but there’s a lot of speculation around James Tarkowski, and the performance levels of Söyüncü/injuries to the other players, could change the pairing before the season begins.
At full-back, Leicester City have a lot of quality options to tinker around with. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the starting full-backs (Timothy Castagne and Luke Thomas) from last seasons final game as the preferred option for Rodgers. However, a full pre-season for Ricardo Pereira, an increasing likelihood that Ryan Bertrand will switch the south coast for the East Midlands, and perhaps a speedy recovery from James Justin, could all throw make great cases for a starting spot. For me, the likeliest pairing will be Ricardo Pereira and Timothy Castagne – the former on the right-side and the latter as the left-back – with the others providing astute cover and rotations.
Moving into midfield, as stated before I’m confident Rodgers will opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation, therefore the Foxes will require a defensive-midfield pivot to add security to the back line. A lot of fans would like the inclusion of imminent signing Boubakary Soumaré, but I think the balance of Wilfred Ndidi and Youri Tielemans (if both players remain at the club) is exceptional – and one of the best partnerships in the league. With the speculation surrounding Tielemans position at the club (even though I’m hopeful he’ll sign a contract extension), I would definitely suggest fielding Soumaré inside the pivot.
Into the wings, and the first name on the team sheet will be Harvey Barnes. Despite suffering a setback in his rehabilitation from injury, the 23-year-old is expected to return for the start of the new season. His dynamism, direct progressive running, and goal-scoring threat from wide, will provide the Foxes with a more well-rounded approach to attacking sequences. On the right-side I think that Leicester City will field their first “new signing” of the season, as Rodgers has been fairly opaque surrounding his displeasure with Cengiz Ünder, but also how pivotal that role is within his structure. Some of the names that have been rumoured are Francisco Trincao and Jonas Hofmann – with player such as Robin Gosens and Bertrand being linked to play as full-backs, potentially allowing Ricardo Pereira to feature as a winger.
It’s very much “in the air” at the moment, particularly with the amount of competitive football being played during the summer, but the acquisition of a right-winger will be a certainty for the Foxes. So, although I haven’t got an exclusive name to play at right-wing, whoever arrives this summer will probably claim that position as their own. As a safety precaution, I think Ayoze Pérez is the most likely current Leicester City player to start as the right-winger.
The last of the midfield positions is the attacking-midfielder or “number 10”. It’s maybe unexpected, but I think James Maddison will start the season as the focal point for the Foxes. If Rodgers is able to secure the services of a right-winger, perhaps Pérez could shift centrally and play as the “number 10”, but until I’ve seen the profile of the signings Leicester City are targeting, Maddison will maintain his position in the starting XI.
Finally, the striker. This might seem harsh, given the form of Kelechi Iheanacho during the closing stages of the season, and even the proposed arrival of Odsonne Édouard, but, I’d still give Jamie Vardy the starting spot as the lone striker. It’s easy to look at shiny new toys and think they should puncture the starting XI upon arrival, but I genuinely feel the players at the club have proven their worth over a sustained period of time.
This isn’t to suggest that Rodgers won’t try formations with two forwards, and then the likes of Édouard will be pivotal in the side, or that Soumaré’s qualities in the depth of midfield won’t force a potential shift of system. This is merely the starting XI I anticipate will start the season for Leicester City.
By adding all of these exciting, quality players from around Europe, Leicester City are creating a squad ready to contest the four competitions they’re in to their absolute maximum. It’s also worth noting that I’ve not excluded players that could be leaving – as I’m hoping the Foxes can build this summer without allocating funds by selling a key member of the team, despite that being their blueprint in recent years. Regardless of the outcome; the recruitment staff, owners, manager, and current crop of players are all exceptional. It will be another exiting year following one of the best clubs in the world.