The Spaniard took over a beleagured former Premier League side, recoiling from major losses and sustaining an annihilated atmosphere at the behest of a woefully inadequate relegation battle. This campaign has already commenced to a far greater symphony, yet Cifuentes still has a lot of work to get triumphant trumpets to sound come the end of the campaign.
The King Power Club decided that in aid of this goal, they had to follow stricter financial restrictions to ensure no retaliation from the EFL for our previous legal victories over them. As such, many players were allowed to step out the door, and few came in their wake. Two permanent signings - both goalkeepers - and three loanees currently makeup the reinforcements.
The Foxes might well need more to ensure their campaign ends in both their promotion to the Premier League by merit, and their seizure of the title once more to again bring back silverware to the supporters. However, with the window shut, only free transfers are on the chessboard. Let's have a look at three realistic free agents who could let Cifuentes 'checkmate' the league.
Leicester City's three free agents
There are plenty of unlikely candidates. Leicester is most probably unable to pull the greatest among them, but hopefully, they might be able to draw some attention to their cause and attract some players to it. In my opinion, our weakest point lies in defense and depth upfront.
Despite what may appear as initial success - with three wins from four - one loss and two unconvincing performances saved by Abdul Fatawu's shining talent hardly represent a return to form for the Foxes. Leicester City were resilient but weak.
Charlton Athletic were the team on top. Luckily, they lacked the clinical edge to finish the East Midlands giants off, and Jakub Stolarczyk managed to hold on for Fatawu to clinch a world-class finish. They accumulated 20 shots to our six, had more on target, had more corners, and the vast majority of their shots came from inside the box, including during corners where we were let off time and again. That was all with only 45% possession to our 55%.
We gave the ball away cheaply in promising positions and left our side unsuitably defended. Heroics and quality did lead us to survive the onslaught, but it is clear we need new defenders if possible at this juncture to either help us develop attacks more swiftly to break down compact lines, or stop attacks in their tracks.
For me, this means a new left-back to push Luke Thomas or replace him, a centre-back to sure up our options, and a striker to finish off our depth upfront. Firstly, at left back there are two options.
We could either be unrealistic and go in for the attacking left-back Sergio Reguilon - already linked to major clubs and Premier League sides - or settle for a player recently performing in the EPL with interest from our rivals in the Championship. For me, Jamal Lewis would be a suitable addition.
Lewis is now 27-years-old and has plenty of experience at different levels of football. The left-back is reliably a good defender, rarely dispossessed when on the ball, and a competent passer, if not technically adept enough to be creative as well. His discipline in tackling leads to a lower percentile of challenges made, but does mean his success when making the challenge is more assured. As a free agent, a reliable defender is a good idea.
In the centre, I feel an experienced Belgian could bring some composure and replace Jannik Vestergaard in the side. Jason Denayer could offer part of the solution. The Belgian defender could give Leicester City more possession in our own half, and help the Foxes retain possession with neat and considered passing. Despite lacking creativity in launching attacks, Denayer carries the ball out of defense well under pressure and can then offload before returning to a strong defensive position. We need a solid defense capable of instigating change-overs while managing risks: Denayer offers that.
In attack, Julian Carranza and Patson Daka are Cifuentes' options at this time, with Jordan Ayew consistently chosen out of position over the Zambian in prior fixtures. Patrick Bamford should be the obvious choice. Although his prime years are behind him, the English forward is a classic No.9 who positions themselves well in the middle waiting for his team to provide the opportunities.
In a team filled with creative talents on both wings and in midfield, Bamford would certainly get his chances. This is not a player who comes in to support the team, he is someone who must be the receiver and finisher. He will suit a high-pressing, high-chance creating Leicester City well. That is so long as our back-line can sure-up and become a stalwart reclaimer of possession and instigator of attacks.
Which free agents do you think are realistic for the King Power side to get their hands on? For some supporters, you may already think our business is over and the team set in stone. Whether Cifuentes wants more is irrelevant to our central question: who could improve our chances of claiming the title?