Leicester Mercury released a ‘Sell, loan, keep’ article today; as is the norm in dreadful situations such as the one Leicester City find themselves in. As usual, there are many standard shouts, not to mention the obvious and mandatory.
For example, selling the abominable Harry Winks is compulsory; the former Tottenham Hotspur 'professional' has a year remaining on his contract for the Foxes to scrape some cash out of. That is, of course, if potential suitors haven't been entirely repelled by his infantile and abusive behaviour at King Power Stadium and beyond.
Meanwhile, the suggestion to keep excellent young starlets like Sammy Braybrooke, Louis Page and Jake Evans is textbook and proactive. It offers a glimmer of organic growth amidst the structural decay: hope.
Keeping these three Leicester City players is a strange proposition
However, in spite of certain players not being particularly valuable or in probable high demand, keeping them appears totally counterproductive. As a matter of fact, one or two of the proposals here will be wildly unpopular with the Blue Army.
For instance, there are footballers on LCFC Live's 'keep list' who directly contributed to constant error-making in defence and goal, dragged the reputation and standard downwards. And whom showed almost as aggressive and uncaring a side as Winks.
First of all, the Mercury writer suggests retaining Jakub Stolarczyk. Yet the Polish goalkeeper was so profoundly inadequate that he lost his No. 1 status to a mediocre veteran who failed to claim a simple cross in his initial test versus Middlesbrough. That single instance cost the East Midlanders two points.
Although technically homegrown (a status essential in a squad, yet one easily assisted by cheap signings or youngsters), Stolarczyk's tenure was marred by many mistakes, often subtle, and a total evaporation of confidence. For a clean roster break, he should be designated for the sell group; alternatively the 25-year-old should be relegated to second or third-choice backup.
Next up is Luke Thomas, a figure frequently vilified for poor displays. While the English element shouldn't dictate his retention, Thomas has admittedly toughened up; his crossing is reaching a functional EFL level. Better left backs are out there!
Most irritating, however, is the selection of Hamza Choudhury. Though trustworthy and combative on his day, the Bangladeshi midfielder was underwhelming in all roles during this campaign.
"Hamza Choudhury - KEEP Choudhury is a contentious one. He seemed to be suggesting when he fronted up to supporters after relegation that he wouldn't be heading anywhere. But he has a big fan in Chris Wilder, and if Sheffield United come calling with a bid, then there's potential for a sale."Jordan Blackwell - Leicestershire Live
Choudhury seemed uninterested and confrontational with his own club at times; his footballing output remains occasionally concerning and constantly uneven. Despite his international form, superior, younger options (Braybrooke) are now preferable to a midfielder who developed a distinct attitude problem this year.
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