Leicester's third pre-season friendly of 2026 against Burton Albion was also fruitful and promising. The match offered lots of talking points to those people wanting to know more about how the Foxes will seems line-up next season, and what Russell Martin needs to strengthen and reinforce his starting XI and substitute bench.
It is worth noting immediately that Will Alves, Nathan Opoku, and Kirsten Otchere managed to score further goals this off-season after already netting earlier on in the schedule. In addition to that, this was the third consecutive victory of the Foxes' uncompetitive schedule.
Therefore, Martin is actually winning over many more fans than even this outlet asserted last week; making the players train hard has been a significant plus point throughout the offseason. Nonetheless, they seemed pleased with the new manager, formerly of Southampton and Rangers, in general.
Furthermore, positives have already arrived in two signings, with Alex McCarthy being a reliable back-up or an experienced goalkeeper to actually push Jakub Stolarczyk, as did Asmir Begovic. Indeed, Connor Chapman is about as good an acquisition as the Blue Army could have ever hoped for this summer; the attacking midfielder is tipped to be a star of the show at LCFC in the coming campaign.
​Players like Sammy Braybrook, Louis Page, Bade Aluko, and the aforementioned Alves, really should be the ones to stake their claim in this new City side. They respectively deserve chances, and they are taking those opportunities before the season proper.
Martin included the quartet in this first authentic team for an uncompetitive game played over two halves, which indicates they are currently firmly in the good books. Even though Opoku and Otchere are doing well, Danny Ings is likely to arrive and challenge their chances of starting, though Ings is arguably considered too elder a statesman to be leading the line alone.
Therefore, observers envisage at least one further striker signing following Ings' eventual arrival to ensure someone is guaranteed to be the primary No.9. If Ben Nelson and/or Caleb Okoli depart, a centre back is certainly required.
John Souttar seems to be the primary target in that regard, and it is worth noting he is the brother of Harry. The former represents Scotland at international level, while the latter competes for Australia.
Russell Martin talks Leicester City transfer manoeuvring
Another goalkeeper might well be sought as well, considering no one has truly claimed the No.1 shirt, as far as this writer views the matter. To that end, Russell Martin spoke to Leicester Mercury following the Burton clash to confirm that further incoming and outgoing City transfer business is expected by next week.
Chats with Louis Page and Russell Martin post-match. The City boss confident of more transfer business before next week.
— Josh Holland (@joshhollandLCFC) July 18, 2026
“The situation we’re in, with the size of our squad, the amount of interest we have in some of our players, it’s only natural that things will happen and…
That means Leicester should have at least one further fresh recruit by July 24 at the latest. Not to mention further departures of surplus players, or perhaps even major stars like Abdul Fatawu, should occur by then too.
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