Leicester City transfers that must happen before Premier League re-entry
Meanwhile in defence, the Danish giant Vestergaard's contract will come to an end unless extended, and his possible alternatives Harry Souttar and Conor Coady were used for a combined minutes of 799 versus the Danish defender's 3,718. Either the boss needs a different player to compete for spaces or we simply have a rubbish list of defenders.
The Nigerian midfielder came to hold onto that midfield position due to injuries for Dennis Praet, the loss of loanee Cesare Casadei, and the lack of other options beyond youth stars such as Wanya Marcal-Madivadua. However, both Ndidi and the Belgian playmaker are at the end of their contracts and it is unlikely either will remain at the King Power.
Finally, it is worth looking at the dynamic winger duo Mavididi and Fatawu. Those two are exactly what the Foxes have struggled to sign for years since the departure of Riyad Mahrez: explosive, goal-bound, technically gifted, and pacy forwards who can cut inside and have a mean cross to boot. We did get to see more of Kasey McAteer and Yunus Akgun early in the season, but both fell away and Marc Albrighton never had a look in. Imagine our No.10 getting injured and having to rely on either a less suited Albrighton or promote a youth player to that position!
The four positions and what we need
Leicester City clearly need to look at centre-back, midfield, and the wings as they enter the summer transfer market. After all, with players leaving - like the Australian defender who almost definitely wants out after being used less than Ben Nelson - and the lack of a second team to bring depth to Maresca's options, there is a lot of work to do.
1. Centre-back
At the back, the King Power side have a lot going on. Callum Doyle leaving at the end of his loan, Vestergaard's expiring contract, the lack of use of Souttar, and the ever-present risk of Faes' good form putting him on the window front. Nelson is not ready to be 'the' centre-back. Ideally, the Foxes need to retain the Dane, try to keep Doyle, promote Nelson, and sign another pacy defender who can act as Faes has this season. They need to have a strong sense of danger, push forward to press heavily and put in challenges, and ideally be tall. Essentially we need another Wesley Fofana somehow.