Fans of Leicester City Football Club got to see new manager Russell Martin in his first competitive match on Saturday afternoon, as King Power Stadium welcomed fairly local side Northampton Town in a 1-0 victory for the hosts in the English Football League Cup. Over the offseason, City had also played the Cobblers in a friendly earlier in the summer, making this a familiar matchup for both sides.
A slightly worried Foxes fan base has been somewhat allayed by how Martin has conducted himself so far, along with the arrival of some seemingly exceptional signings that look set to strengthen the squad significantly. Meanwhile slightly awkward centre-back Caleb Okoli got the only goal of the game on Filbert Way, and interestingly, that finish came from a set-piece: which the latest head coach and other coaches (like Andy King) have reportedly been working on extensively in training.
One notable absence from the game was Okoli's fellow centre-half Ben Nelson, an LCFC Academy graduate who has been one of the better performing defenders on the roster over the last year, even though he lost his place under previous managers. While still young, Nelson exhibits the kind of profile that would suit higher-placed sides; ideally that would be Leicester in the EFL Championship or the Premier League, but for the moment that is not the path he will be taking.
What's next for Leicester Cty's defence?
Therefore, Nelson was an obvious candidate to sell because he would command a decent fee, potentially up to £6 to 8 million, and has ostensibly drawn interest from clubs like Manchester United and Torino. The 22-year-old was constantly used by his manager during preseason, often lining up as the Italian's preferred central defensive partner.
Sadly, Nelson will miss most of the season due to a serious injury suffered last week, meaning his prospective move is completely off; neither can he cannot help the Foxes on the pitch for the foreseeable future. This development would lead most Leicester fans to believe that their club will now be seeking to sign another central defender.
That possibility is on the table according to Martin. He also said that nothing has really changed with respect to what LCFC's prime transfer targets are, in spite of every City player in the role being linked with respective exits.
Meaning that a new CB was possibly not a priority or even on the official wish list before this setback. This comment leads Foxes of Leicester to believe that Harry Souttar was always wanted; the ex-Southampton boss confirmed that the Australian is an important player for his plans.
Martin was also asked about any incoming transfers 🗣️
— Leicester Xtra (@XtraLeicester) August 8, 2026
‘Obviously Ben Nelson means we might have to do something there. But nothings really changed in terms of what we want and we have to wait for the right ones’ pic.twitter.com/1HYPzLgfDf
Sheffield United will probably not meet Souttar's reported £10m valuation. Regardless, Nelson's long-term injury has left a gap in the squad that needs addressing sooner rather than later, another defensive colleague may be required at the Leicestershire club.
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