Leicester City head into a busy transfer window with high expectations placed on them by fans. With a refresh in need, here are three needed signings.
The King Power club finished 8th with 52 points, six points away from the UEFA Conference League place. Knowing that beating Everton in those two fixtures would have relegated them and got us right by European football is exhaustively frustrating.
Nevertheless, this disappointing 21/22 season is finally over. It is necessary for Brendan Rodgers to turn things around and improve the squad, unless he would like us to slip further. The Foxes need 4-6 players with new energy.
Determining three essential signings will always be difficult, but I think I have had a good go at it with these three upgrades. As well as this, I’ll provide some honourable mentions.
Leicester City’s new Belgian ‘Starman’
A rotation option for James Maddison is non-negotiable. Ayoze Perez has been great, and has certainly proved himself to be worthy of staying as a versatile attacker, but we still need an actual AM trusted by the Northern Irish head coach.
That has to be Charles de Ketelaere. The Belgian attacking-midfielder and versatile attacker has been integral to Club Brugge. The Belgian has performed thrillingly. As a striker, he has dropped deeper to get involved, as a midfielder he has ran the show.
The player has achieved 18 goals and 10 assists across all competitions in the 21/22 season. Additionally, this has followed 16 big chances being created in the Juliper Pro League and 1.3 tackles per game.
Stylistically, SmarterScout helps us to illustrate what suits the player best. As an AM, ‘CDK’ has been a keen dribbler, creator, and passer. A true architect in the final third. As a centre forward, the Belgian has been more suited to linking up with teammates deeper and providing ample movement.
A controversial right-winger
As can be expected, a lack of movement by the King Power side to actually signing a real first team right-winger has left the supporters more divided over what to do. Many will have liked the creativity and threat offered by Cengiz Under, others liking Ademola Lookman, but it seems Rodgers has other plans.
‘Ade’ is more of a left-winger and should be signed permanently. If the Foxes do not go in for the Nigeria international, I would be shocked and awed at such decision-making. However, it is fair that he ought not to be the priority.
That should be the place of Noni Madueke. The PSV Eindhoven man is a high potential target. Plus, the Englishman is an actual RW who plays on the right and is prolific enough from the wide areas. We need a player like him.
Madueke has achieved nine goals and six assists across all competitions, as well as 0.8 tackles per game in the Eredivisie. Though not excessively prolific, the youth of the player makes his potential an unquestionable asset and his transfer value can only climb.
Stylistically, the player is a perfect fit for ‘BrendanBall’. As SmarterScout once again detail, the English winger’s key tendencies are dribbling, recovery, disruption, and defensive quality. In more words, the player provides a progressive and ball winning outlet on the wing, allowing defenders to come forward and midfielders to make runs between the lines.
A speedy centre-back
As experience is also key, time for a centre-back who is both ‘Wesley Fofana-esque’ but also uniquely poised to improve our backline. The answer to our calls is Maxence Lacroix – VFL Wolfsburg’s wonder defender.
The French central defender has appeared 36 times across all competitions for ‘Die Wolfes’ and has performed excellently in a progressive system. The player has also been under a lot of stress this season with Wolfburg’s midfield performing less well recently.
He has created two big chances, made 2.1 interceptions, 2.0 tackles, and 4.8 clearances per game. in the Bundesliga in the 21/22 season. What an absolute unit the defender has been. Although there is much competition for the signature, the Foxes must try.
Leicester City will be encouraged by the Frenchman’s stylistic suiting to the club. As benchmarked against Premier League players, Lacroix has ratings of 99/100 in defensive quantity, 93/100 in dribbling, 92 in aerial duels from dead balls, 88 in disruption, and 65/100 in progressive passing.
In shorter words, Lacroix is a progressive, aggressive, fast, and quality defender who can actually be useful in defensive or attacking free kicks and corners. There is no doubt in my mind about his quality. Rodgers must get this man despite not being linked to him.
My honourable mentions are Ibrahim Sangare (perfect midfield option), Arnaud Kalimuendo (striker), and big Gleison Bremer (who I only did not include because there are strong links to elsewhere for him). Which players do you think I should have included? Let Foxes of Leicester know on our social media channels.