With the departures of several key players - especially forwards - the Foxes are forced into the market, with the quality of their youth squad only able to supplement in some positions. This imposition means we will 100% see more signings come, although the exact make-up and quality of those signings is entirely unknown.
LeicestershireLive's Josh Holland spoke to Russell Martin after their 0-1 victory over Cadiz following another good performance by City youngster Kirsten Otchere. The line coming out from the head coach remains steadfast regarding the likelihood. More will come. Although Martin has not stated specific positions, he also insisted they will not rush and only bring in the right profile of player.
What Martin's Leicester Needs
What Russell Martin really means when he mentions the 'profile' of the player is whether or not they possess the physicality to perform in League One, fit the stylistic bill for his system, and have an apporopriate mentaility/ethic to develop the side. In effect, the Foxes need those who will be complementary to the system and existing team, not 'just another' signing.
Specifically, then, we know from his time at Southampton that Leicester's head coach prefers a high-possession system which focuses on constant rotation to retain possession, composure to work on the ball under pressure, speed to counter-press with ferocity upon losing the ball, and a requirement for wingers to be direct and challenge one-on-one with fullbacks. The players signed for each position must be capable of doing their part to retain and regain the ball, as well as the strength to keep pushing.
Although we have good young players, we could still do with at least four or five incomings, including loan signings amongst them. We need a centre-forward; with Jordan Ayew and Patson Daka both gone, Jamie Vardy not making a comeback, and the Danny Ings deal falling through, Leicester needs to sign a goal-scoring and chance-creating striker.
To add to boot, we need fullbacks, possibly one for each side, since we primarily only have (senior-wise) Luke Thomas and Hamza Choudhury. They must be electric, pacey, and aggressive in tracking back. A centre-back will be needed if any other outgoings (such as Ben Nelson or Harry Souttar) are confirmed. They must be calm under pressure and able to build out from the back seldom with errors.
Midfield is arguably stacked with strong players thanks to a brilliant setup with Sammy Braybrooke, Louis Page, Will Alves, Oliver Skipp, and Conor Chaplin, with Michael Golding still there but not appearing much. There are more youth players, but we could definitely do with a midfielder who is strong under pressure, reliable with few injuries, and has a strong record at this level.
With Abdul Fatawu and Jeremy Monga departing, even with Jake Evans being promoted, there remains the risk of Stephy Mavididi following them out the door. If that happens, a winger or two becomes the same priority as a striker. We need to score goals to get out of League One, and we need the whole team to support that aim.
The Linked Few
For that striker position, it is incredibly difficult to see through the speculative fog and see where the Foxes are going to discover their main man. We thought that would have been Ings, but with him outside the picture and a move for Lauritsen now off the table, links to Ryan One, perhaps on loan, are gaining better traction. A permanent signing would be preferred, but if unable, a loan for someone with experience at this level would be acceptable.
In midfield, we have already spoken about Greg Docherty as a leading and durable member of the cast. His signing would work excellently in tandem with Chaplin and allow us to focus on Page and Braybrooke going forward.
At the back, Luke Chambers, on loan as a left-back, has been touted, but realistically we need more than one left-back to fix our fullback situation. In central defence, John Souttar - who played under Russell Martin at Rangers - has been mentioned as an aerially sound, physical defender who could assist in bringing some stability at the back. Plus, if we can convince Harry Souttar to stay, it would be a great 'socials' jest to talk of Leicester's 'Wall of Soutts'.
For a winger, Tommy Watson is perhaps the most interesting. Another young prospect at 20-years-old, but attracting interest from Martin's side thanks to his explosive acceleration, direct style of play, and powerful attacking momentum: essentially, the same style as Fatawu, although perhaps not the same quality. Regardless, a loan move for a player of his quality could sure up our attacking talent while giving room for Evans, Otchere, and others to shine.
Although it is slow, frustratingly so, transfer business is coming. Chaplin was the first sign for me of recruitment moving in the right direction for our current position. Intelligent and deliberate signings and loans will make our fight to return to the Championship at the first attempt more likely, and Martin is right not to rush or pressure his side into it publicly.
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