From rumours of Sean Dyche and Danny Rohl, to the sacking of Ruud van Nistelrooy and imminent departures for current senior squad members; Leicester City FC have significant work to do. A dismal relegation campaign has left supporters out for blood: the deadweight must be sacrificed to appease the East Midlands as well as improve the side.
Previously, we have discussed five players who underperformed the most versus both their expectations and importantly how much game time they got. This list will be different, thanks mostly to shifting foci: future development, and saving money. Below we shall list out a list of five names to place on the altar.
Leicester City's five disposable talents
It sometimes feels harsh to single out a small regiment of players who should face the axe at the King Power, but it is obviously key to recognise the utter garbage situation the Foxes currently face. With PSR woes leaving the side in limbo, excessive player wages bludgeoning the team, and a recruitment team missing more than hitting, the desperate need to weed out problems is critical.
With that in mind, the first player I would want to see disposed of by Danny Rohl should he take the reins as head coach would be James Justin. The English fullback is one of our top earners, and despite a near uncontested starting spot, has offered Leicester very little in terms of consistent performances. Typically, we observe drifting inwards and failing to cover the flank; failure too in pressuring opponents. Justin's wages would be best served helping to keep Ricardo Pereira for one more season.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid was a poor choice to sign. Experienced and versatile, the forward-to-midfielder was not terrible, but certainly did not set the King Power alight. Furthermore, with Jeremy Monga, Jake Evans, Will Alves, Wanya Marcal-Madivadua, and the return of Abdul Fatawu, we really do not need an older player who would get in the way of their development. Plus, Jordan Ayew performed significantly more for Leicester City.
At the back, Jannik Vestergaard's time has come. The Dane is a hard fighter, a towering defender, and during our Championship season the international defender was great, if a little slow. That lethargy should be expected, and with Conor Coady also lethargic, the Foxes need to make room to promote faster and younger players such as Ben Nelson and Olabade Aluko. With the eventual return of Harry Souttar, already decent performances from Caleb Okoli, Vestergaard's wages are needed elsewhere.
In midfield, although I love the defensive midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi's time to depart has arrived. He has never performed badly for LCFC, and seldom has an off day. With two years left on his current deal, the Nigerian defensive midfielder is likely in the last time we can get good money for one of our best players. With Harry Winks, Sammy Braybrooke, and the possible return of Hamza Choudhury, Ndidi is a luxury when the King Power club lack the finances to have luxuries.
Unmentioned in previous areas on purpose, the consistently inconsistent Belgian international Wout Faes is perhaps most critical. With Faes, we should actually be able to make some money, clear up needless wages, and free up some capital for signing or loaning a centre-back in. Faes is sometimes awesome, marauding forward and creating chances, and other times awfully reckless, creating vast gaps in defence.
The Future Foxes
Leicester City have to look towards their future foxes for inspiration and impact. As time progresses, the youthful stars which are developing will need game time to get to their goals: from increasing transfer value to joining the senior side, these players deserve an opportunity in the East Midlands. It does also mean accepting not spending ridiculous money we do not have on players we do not necessarily need.
Will Alves and Ben Nelson are almost definitely going to be involved in the next campaign, with players such as Braybrooke and Evans top contenders in my view. A lot is now relying on which head coach the Foxes opt for, and whether they care about giving these youngsters the impetus to improve. If Danny Rohl joins, the future stars have to play.