Dream Leicester lineup as Foxes recruitment creates 2026 transfer strategy

Josh Sargent: Norwich City, Centre-forward

Norwich City - similar to Leicester City - have been struggling in this campaign with increased competition in the Championship, challenging the balanced strength of a team. One bright spark has been their primary talisman, Josh Sargent. The 25-year-old American has been vital to Norwich, and would represent an immediate improvement on both Ayew and Daka.

After starting every league game this season, playing the vast majority of minutes, the American striker has five goals and two assists. This comes from an xG of 5.8 and xA of 2.5. If we were being harsh, the player has slightly underperformed based on the positions he has been in, but I think the underlying numbers show a clear upgrade from our current options.

Stylistically, Sargent has been involved in high-pressure systems and takes on a hybrid skillset. What I mean by that is the player likes to drift out wide to collect possession rather than remain central, before rushing into a central penalty box position for a shot. Additionally, the American forward has gravity in pulling defenders out of position before returning to the box late, and certainly has the confidence to finish chances from anywhere in the box.

Josh Sargent was crowned Championship player of the month for August, and his manager at the time described the player as a pivotal talisman for their attack, dictating the outlet and tempo of final third attacks. Meanwhile, the talented forward himself views continued performance in the Championship as essential to his goal of a permanent starting spot for the US national team.

As final remarks on Sargent, the player is about a 5.5/10 on feasibility. Despite being at another struggling club, and Leicester being a clear upgrade, it is hard to imagine Norwich City wanting to part with their talisman. As an upgrade, probably around a 7.5/10, losing some of the supportive and defensive work of Ayew, but definitely offering more attacking threat. I would say an 8/10 for potential, with his age allowing us to sell for profit at a later date, should we wish to do so, and the player has yet to reach their ceiling.

Brief note: Derby's Carlton Morris would offer an immediate remedy to the centre-forward, with significantly greater goals per 90 (10 goals total over 15 appearances) and offers a more efficient poaching shot map, attacking the near post frequently. However, I think taking Derby's 29-year-old focal point would dictate other transfers to build a system around getting the ball ahead of Morris.

Lloyd Jones: Charlton Athletic, Centre-back

Charlton Athletic, under Nathan Jones, are enjoying a positive spell of football. They sit 9th in the EFL Championship table with a goal difference of four, partly resulting from a solid defensive and possession-based system. Lloyd Jones has started every single game and played every single minute of Championship football.

The 30-year-old defender has been the pillar at the back; with a team based on direct counter-attacking transitions, Jones is often one of the only defenders left during a regressive turnover. This means the player has 9.7 clearances per game, while making no errors, which led to a goal. Although less progressive, Jones is often the player winning first contact with the ball to regain possession, has great aerial presence, and therefore also has an xG of 1.1 (although he has not scored).

The English defender has the most total clearances and interceptions of any defender in the division, and represents the archetypal penalty-box defender, starting deep, remaining deep, and getting into blocking positions regularly. Lloyd Jones was described as consistent and has delivered stability at the back. The only negatives are that his age makes him a short-to-medium term signing for the Foxes, and with a lack of pace, he will rely on Vestergaard or another to offer the progressive outlet from the back.

As final remarks, the feasibility score would be around 7.5/10, with Charlton being upwardly mobile as the only possible reason Leicester City might not be able to get the signing over the line, as finances should not be prohibitive for a 30-year-old defender. As an upgrade defensively, I would rate around 8/10 simply due to duels in the box and volume of effective defensive actions. There is little potential for future revenue or long-term viability, with a potential score of around 2/10.