James Maddison sold but Conor Coady signs, and former Champions League finalist joins too – Leicester team to fire them back into the Premier League
Leicester City clearly mean business as they look to conclude their transfer dealings early ahead of the new season.
After suffering relegation from the Premier League, the Foxes have moved quickly to get things in place for the upcoming Championship campaign.
Enzo Maresca was been brought in as their new head coach to kick things off.
A long-time no.2 to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, he will bring an attack-minded brand of football and a contact book that will be the envy of every other club in the second tier.
It’s something that he’ll be keen to utilise to ensure immediate promotion back to the top flight.
Leicester have already seen Youri Tielemans, Caglar Soyuncu, Daniel Amartey, Papy Mendy, Ayoze Perez, Ryan Bertrand, and Tete move on at the end of their contracts, while numerous others are attracting top-level interest.
Among those stars is Harvey Barnes, who is attracting Premier League interest from West Ham.
James Maddison has already left the King Power for Tottenham Hotspur in a deal worth around £40million.
And that now looks set to fund a number of incoming deals.
So how could Leicester line up next season? TalkSPORT.com takes a look.
Maresca will be set on playing a possession-based game from back to front, something that Zack Steffen will be a key part of.
The Manchester City goalkeeper, who spent last term on loan with Middlesbrough, is renowned for his ball-playing skills and ability to remain unflappable when under pressure on the ball, something that will be key in setting the tone for Leicester this term.
James Justin, Harry Souttar and Luke Thomas will all likely be given the chance to impress, with Conor Coady set to slot into central defence alongside them.
The Wolves man spent last season with Everton and will bring leadership and quality on the ball to the heart of the back line.
Wilfried Ndidi is expected to be a key player for Leicester if they can retain his services, while he looks set to be joined by Harry Winks who will arrive on a £10m deal from Tottenham.
With Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall set to be a key man for the Foxes next term, the trio could be joined by Cole Palmer on a loan deal.
While interest in the teenager hasn’t yet been reported, the winger will be allowed to leave City on loan next term as he searches for regular first team football, something that he would be guaranteed under his old coach Maresca at Leicester.
Providing that a move away doesn’t tempt him, Kelechi Iheanacho looks set to play a key role in attack for the Foxes in the Championship and he could be joined by one of the league’s most prolific attackers.
Joel Piroe joined Swansea in 2021 and scored 24 goals in his first season at the club and 21 last term, making the 23-year-old a proven hitman at this level.
Here’s how Maresca’s side could shape up next season as they attempt to return to the top-flight at the first try.
