Leicester City are looking in the market to replace outgoing goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. Here are the three ‘keepers on the transfer wishlist.
Veteran shot-stopper Schmeichel looks set to depart before the 22/23 season officially commences. It was originally believed that the move would only be sanctioned should the Foxes identify a replacement.
Should a move occur, at some point the King Power club will need someone to take his place. After all, although either Daniel Iversen or Danny Ward could do a job at the back, I do not believe either are stylistically suited to Brendan Rodgers’ system.
Leicester City’s wishlist
As such, Leicester have been linked with a plethora of goalkeepers already. However, there are only a couple of concrete stories we can look into. Plus, there are not many players we would genuinely want to fill the gap.
According to LeicestershireLive, the Foxes are interested in Alex Meret, Odysseas Vlachodimos, and Alban Lafont. All three are good for their clubs. I will briefly analyse each potential transfer and how likely each move would be.
Lafont is FC Nantes’ captain and star goalkeeper. At only 23, he has already acquired a vast career of experience between the sticks.
From making vital saves to being one of the best for penalty saves, this ‘keeper is the real deal. According to FBRef, the French goalie is within the 93rd percentile for penalty saves, 87th percentile for the length of goal kicks, and 64th for crosses stopped. By comparison, Schmeichel is within the 71st, 60th, and 42nd respectively.
The French U23 international should be the priority for the King Power club regardless of any other moves. He is one for the future and current situation. However, he would cost around £20m and leave us with two overpaid bench ‘keepers.
Furthermore, Lafont is my preferred selection for the future, Danny Ward or Daniel Iversen as the second. Read more about my three recommendations in this article.
Meret is not a starter at Serie A side Napoli. He is their Danny Ward. Statistically, he is one of the worst possible options available to the Foxes. Once again, he is very low in all goalkeeping quality stats.
I have little more to say on this Italian 25-year-old. Such a move only makes sense if Ward becomes No.1, Iversen leaves, and we are therefore left without a second goalie. I doubt the validity of this story.
However, it must be understood that Meret would be a cheap alternative to our current options. At max he would cost £10m and provide a basis on which we could develop other keepers. I do not believe he will be a fox anytime soon.
Vlachodimos is the starting shot-stopper for SL Benfica, having previously played at VfB Stuttgart. At 28, he is on the older side of the links, offering a vast career of experience. I would trust this veteran between the sticks.
Interestingly, the Greek international is within the 99th percentile for post-shot expected goals minus goals allowed and for clean sheet percentages. This means the 28-year-old is one of the best shot-stoppers.
On top of this, Vlachodimos is in the 76th percentile for touches, although he falls grotesquely short in the 13th percentile for crosses stopped. So, although he touches the ball well in possession, the player does not come to meet crosses.
Unfortunately, despite his undoubted shot stopping ability, the player is clearly not stylistically suited to the system Rodgers looks to implement at the King Power. Leicester City would not do poorly to get him, although the player does not represent an upgrade on the ‘Great Dane’.
At around £15m, the deal would be good value for a few seasons as Jakub Stolarczyk continues to develop on loan. This would make the most sense for the stability he offers. Therefore, both the French and Greek internationals are the likely options for Leicester City.