Leicester’s preseason schedule outlined as summer approaches
Leicester City are set for a busy preseason and busy summer window. Here are the current details of the preseason schedule and our early predictions.
Two seasons were interrupted by COVID-19: one stalled, the other disjointed and over-compressed. As a result of that ghastly pandemic, the King Power club lost their favoured preseason schedule and would come to have an injury ridden Premier League season.
Now, we shall be entering the first full season uninterrupted and not overly compressed as a result of the virus. Finally, Brendan Rodgers can return to his usual development plan. Of course, this is in the backdrop of a need to rebuild the team.
Hot. Why LCFC shouldn’t sign transfer target Matthew Garbett. light
Leicester City’s schedule
According to a report, the Foxes will merge once more on June 27th to commence a long and hard calendar. Rodgers’ goal is to weed out weakness, use as much of the squad as possible, and develop a better tactical understanding with older and any new players.
During a two-week period, the East Midlands club will have their first couple of fixtures. These will be mostly without the internationals who are off on duty. However, this affords younger players and returning loanees and opportunity to impress.
After that, Leicester will head off on a foreign training camp. Though the destination is not confirmed, the gaffer has taken the team to Switzerland before. There are no details as to any matches or foci for the duration of the camp.
The first public preseason fixture will be a friendly against sister side OH Leuven of the Belgian league. This match will take place on July 16th. The fixture will also act as the start of public fixtures, though there are no other confirmed matches.
What we do know is that two of these matches will take place on the same day, with the squad split in two to provide more of an opportunity to impress. Rodgers employed this previously in his first campaign.
Next. LCFC’s stance on possible Fofana transfer. dark
Expectations
One can anticipate Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen getting more of a chance to feature during preseason, though if either are on international duty for long then Jakub Stolarczyk might get a call up. During the one-day two-match fixtures I expect both to be playing.
Beyond this, new talent joining the squad will get their first chances to impress Rodgers and show they can compete for senior first team places. Whereas players such as Dennis Praet and Callum Wright (if not sold or returned on loan) will look to secure a senior team spot.
We will have a strong preseason, likely winning quite a few of the matches, and I expect plenty of passion to impress from the players. After all, it is either impress or be sold at the moment.
Following the article’s publishing, lcfc.com updated the fixture list:
"Confirmed pre-season scheduleLEICESTER CITY vs. Notts County (behind closed doors)Pre-season friendlySaturday 9 JulyLCFC Training GroundKick-off: 1pmOH Leuven vs. LEICESTER CITYPre-season friendlySaturday 16 JulyKing Power At Den Dreef StadionKick-off: 1pmPreston North End vs. LEICESTER CITYPre-season friendlySaturday 23 JulyDeepdaleKick-off: 3pm"