After a dismal start to the season, Leicester City players are subjected to much transfer speculation. The latest is the most concerning for January.
Seven games played, one point gained, rock bottom of the Premier League, and the worst team in England’s top four leagues. This situation is really quite dire. Hence, the January transfer window could perhaps either be a saving grace, or perhaps a guillotine.
Despite the exciting signing of Wout Faes, the form of the side forces the Foxes to make an effort to improve. This could mean a couple of departures to recoup some financial fair play wiggle room. After that, attack-minded players on the left – such as Robin Gosens – and hopefully another centre-back could be brought in.
Leicester City’s critical balance
The King Power club are known for having a rather capable team. Especially the starting XI, which are usually rated highly in most stats as well as in games such as FIFA23. However, there is one part of the pitch the Foxes have been most balanced.
Midfield. Typically, Brendan Rodgers would have deployed a 4-3-3 high pressing formation, in which the fullbacks can rush down the wings and both the two central defenders and the defensive midfielder can form an effective block against long-ball counter attacks. A sensible setup.
In this, Wilfred Ndidi, Youri Tielemans, and James Maddison form the midfield three. An anchor, a progressor, and a creator. The three have been the basis of much of our success. Although they have been upset of late, they are still the three best midfielders we have.
To lose this balance would be catastrophic. The King Power side have thus far failed to fully create a secondary line-up: the nearest would possibly be Boubakary Soumare, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and out of favour Dennis Praet.
Newcastle to upset the balance
The Belgian ‘Starman’ is close to the door, with their contract expiring at the end of this season. Both ‘Madders’ and the Nigerian DM have their contracts finishing in two-year’s time. Two years of the most balanced midfield left.
As such, this winter could be the last chance Leicester have to get money from Tielemans, and the last chance to get a massive fee for the integral Maddison and/or Ndidi. We have already seen Arsenal, Manchester United, and Newcastle United sniffing around the squad for such players.
It should therefore be no surprise that the ‘Magpies’ have been linked with a January signing of the Belgian midfielder. Newcastle believe they may get the Starman for only £15m, in a fee which feels like a kick in the teeth for such a talented player.
It is also believed that their assistant coach Graeme Jones would be able to tempt the Belgian international to make the move, as he has worked closely with the player for the Belgian national team. So, the Magpies believe they can get a cut-price deal and tempt a big player to move.
On top of this, ChronicleLive report a further interest in English attacking-midfielder Maddison. The Foxes are believed to value the creative talent around £60m, although this could drop as the chance to get big money for the player begins to fall. £40-50m is becoming more realistic the longer the move does not materialise.
The Nigerian is not yet linked with a move away. However, both the primary creator and primary progressor of the side are the subject of interest for this upcoming window. It really is not that long away.
Preventing oblivion
Rodgers must either resolve the critical issues at the club, improving the players that are at his disposal and starting to climb the Premier League table, or he must give way for someone who can. Leicester City must work towards keeping Maddison and Ndidi, and possibly extending their contracts.
Such a feat could only be achieved with better performances, an attractive project, and a lot of money. Tielemans will be leaving, and those wages spent on him and saved from Wesley Fofana can help, but a lot of work is still to be done.
Should the balance be destroyed or not adequately provided depth, the King Power will be heading towards oblivion from either the top flight, or another many years outside of challenging towards the top. For the squad available, this must not be allowed to happen.