The Key Positions
With Jamie Vardy leaving Leicester for new pastures, and huge question marks over several defenders, midfielders, and forwards, the board will need to focus on improving key areas. First, a new primary striker who is versatile, young enough to fetch a transfer fee in a season or two, and explosive enough to support the already explosive Fatawu and Mavididi.
Secondly, fullbacks. After signing Woyo Coulibaly in the winter transfer window, the right-back played… *checks notes* 109 minutes of football. That is still more than Odsonne Eduoard I suppose. Our best-ever right-back Pereira only played in nine matches – less than Abdul Fatawu – due to injury. Meanwhile, the only other option – James Justin – barely controlled his flank, was constantly having to drop in narrow to make up for defensive runs and mis-positions from Wout Faes, and when going forward was often unable to carry the ball further than our halfway line.
It is also worth noting that at left-back, with the Danish player being one of those likely to exit, we should really get someone to play alongside Thomas and provide a challenge for the position. They will need to be aggressive in going forward and good linking up with their midfielders and wingers.
At centre-back, we had options. Conor Coady eventually came good, but both Jannik Vestergaard and the Belgian defender had their own share of problems. Meanwhile, Caleb Okoli started only 12 games and did not really manage to make a position his own or bring out his style to stay in the team. Vestergaard was too slow to deal with midfielders and wingers, Faes was too inconsistent and sometimes too itchy to rush out, and Coady was again inconsistent in his performances.
In midfield, Leicester City were blessed by Khannouss and Facundo Buonanotte. The Argentinian ended up becoming a right-winger occasionally and of course, will not be staying with the Foxes after his loan ends. Khannouss is one of the big question marks, being perhaps one of our only sellable assets if PSR is a major threat. The Foxes will need an attacking midfielder who is more experienced, less wasteful, and can help train up the next generation.