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Why Leicester should not get rid of Souttar

By Joey LeMaster

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JULY 15: Harry Souttar of Leicester City looks on during the Pre-Season friendly game between Northampton Town and Leicester City at Sixfields on July 15, 2023 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JULY 15: Harry Souttar of Leicester City looks on during the Pre-Season friendly game between Northampton Town and Leicester City at Sixfields on July 15, 2023 in Northampton, England. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images) /
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Leicester City are on the brink of making a massive mistake. Enzo Maresca has stated in an interview that Harry Souttar is one of a select few players that could leave Leicester this transfer window. Scottish league sides Rangers and Celtic have interest in the Australian defender; Rangers having the stronger interest. I understand that the Foxes have to sell players to cut down the wage bill. However, Souttar simply can’t be one of those players.

The 24-year-old defender joined the East Midlands team during the January transfer window. Stoke City were not having the best run in the league. However, Souttar was the diamond in the rough. He was winning his aerial disks and his one on one battles. His 6’7” frame was giving the whole league problems. Then, when he joined Leicester City, Souttar continued to do so. He was having a good campaign until he was surprisingly benched for Çağlar Söyüncü, a player not on the roster anymore.

So this is where I get confused with the thought process of the Leicester City staff. Souttar was fantastic in the EFL and he was successful in the EPL. Now with Maresca’s side now returning to the second tier of English football, they’re suddenly not playing him?

It’s even more hysterical to me because Maresca loves to play a three centre back formation. A back line of Souttar, Conor Coady, and Wout Faes is a Premier League quality back line. Now imagine what they could accomplish in the Championship? But, instead of giving this an opportunity, Maresca is selecting Jannik Vestergaard and blacklisting Souttar out of the squad.

This is insane for a plethora of reasons. Firstly, Souttar already has proven how successful he can be in the second division of English football. Then, he got the chance to play in the Premier League. With that experience he has, he’s bound to be even better than before. Why would Maresca not want to capitalize on this?

Secondly, we need depth in this position; especially if the squad is going to play with three defenders every game. Will Faes, Coady, Doyle, and Vestergaard be enough depth to last the team the whole season?

Next. 3 Leicester players who should start against Huddersfield. dark

Finally, let’s say the squad reaches their destiny and gets promoted. Next season Doyle will be back at Manchester City, Vestergaard will be 32, and we’ll have zero depth. Souttar is the perfect player for this squad with every scenario you could imagine. Losing him would be a massive blow to the squad.