Leicester City fans will be getting excited for the new League One season now.
The transfer window has officially opened, as the Foxes look to dip their toes into the busy market, and the Midlands club's drawn-out search for a new manager looks to be over, with Russell Martin set to be unveiled as their chosen Gary Rowett successor.
Martin will surely look to fall back on his previous Southampton connections when constructing his promotion-ready ranks, with Will Smallbone one former Saints name that could tickle his fancy.
Smallbone's potential reunion with Martin
Strangely, if Martin had been handed the reins sooner, he could well have been just what Joe Aribo was searching for during his instantly forgettable loan stint at the King Power last campaign.
When the Nigerian crossed paths with the Scotsman at St. Mary's, he would bag six goals and collect one assist from 57 appearances. At Leicester, without the 40-year-old in sight, zero goals or assists would come his way from six outings.
It's clear that Martin can get more out of players than other managers, with Smallbone, in particular, coming into his own under the one-time Rangers boss on the South Coast.
Unfortunately, like Aribo, his career has fallen to the wayside in recent seasons, with the homegrown Southampton talent ripping up his contract this summer, as he was released by the Saints.
With his ex-boss set to be announced as Leicester's new manager, a potential reunion has been murmured.
It might well prove to be a great free transfer deal if pulled off, as Smallbone would be considered a cut above League One level if Martin can get him back to his South Coast peak.
He could be a great option in League One
There are a lot of if's and but's attached here, as the 26-year-old has seriously struggled to get into his groove over the last couple of campaigns.
The Republic of Ireland international would only be fit enough to line up for loan employers Millwall ten times last season, with zero goals or assists to brag about from his dire stint at the Den.
But, under Martin in the past, Smallbone has stood out as an exciting midfielder capable of bursting forward from nowhere, as a stunning ten goal contributions would be amassed during the 2023/24 season by the soon-to-be free agent.
One of those goals would see Smallbone emphatically fire home the opener to break Southampton's semi-final playoff deadlock versus West Bromwich Albion, as he carved out eight big chances being created during the hustle and bustle of the regular campaign, too.
The 26-year-old might well fancy his chances of a Championship move over dropping to League One, but with all his recent injury problems denting his confidence big time, linking back up with Martin could be just what is needed to lift his mood.
After all, Smallbone would credit Martin for that superb individual season as Southampton won promotion as a collective, meaning he'd jump at the chance to reconnect with a familiar face, no matter what the division is.
With Leicester further needing some reinforcements through the middle of the park, who can attack, with Jordan James no longer around, this could prove to be a very shrewd free transfer move if it's wrapped up successfully.
Add us as a preferred source on Google