It’s done. Leicester City have completed one of the greatest stories in sporting history, overcoming 5000-1 odds and all that. They did that through maintaining grit determination, and cohesiveness throughout a core of great players. According to BBC, Leicester used fewer players than any other team in the Premier League this season. It’s by avoiding injuries and minimizing rotation that Leicester have managed to consistently perform the way they have all season. As a result, they’ve won the league and qualified for the Champions League. The question for Leicester is now, What next?
The answer is pretty straightforward, Leicester need to add much more depth. They need to expand their squad to the point where they essentially have two starting elevens with two quality options at each position. Man City for example have four stellar fullbacks in Zabaleta, Sagna, Kolarov, and Clichy who they can rotate between. Furthermore, their best team in recent memory had Aguero, Negredo, Dzeko, and Jovetic to choose between as forwards. It’s this kind of depth that lets a team go deep in European competition without sacrificing league form. Without adding depth, a team is bound to experience a drop-off like Newcastle under Alan Pardew. A season after qualifying for Europe, Newcastle finished just out of the relegation zone in 16th. Those extra games really effect the form of the team. So while Leicester has only played 41 games total this year, Manchester City for example have played 56. The games really add up for those in European competition and teams have to rotate and compensate for increased injuries and fatigue.
So Leicester have to reinforce their squad, but where and how? Luckily for Leicester they will have over 200 million dollars pouring into the coffers over the next 18 months from Premier League Performance revenues, TV revenue, and champions league income. That doesn’t even include the potential commercial opportunities afforded to them by their success this season and their future in the limelight. So the money shouldn’t be a problem but Leicester have a couple of factors limiting their spending capabilities.
- Players will want/need wage increases to keep them at the club. (Particularly Mahrez, Vardy, Kante, and Drinkwater).
- Everyone knows who they are now. Leicester won’t be able to get players as cheaply as they could before. Steve Walsh is so well known for his quality scouting abilities that clubs Leicester approach will automatically charge more. (Welcome to the big club problem).
- Bigger Clubs will try and poach players Leicester are interested in. After the success of signings like Kante, Okazaki, and Huth, big clubs will no doubt attempt to outbid Leicester for any player they target. Thus forcing Leicester to spend more on players than they would have previously.
Now where should Leicester strengthen? Well let’s look at their squad. Only 18 players made over 5 appearances for them. That is absolute minimal squad rotation.
The three adjacent numbers represent Total appearances, League appearances and Cup appearances. For example Marc Albrighton has made 40 total appearances with 36 coming in the league and 4 coming in cup competitions.
| 11 | Marc ALBRIGHTON | Midfielder | 40 | 36 | 4 |
| 1 | Kasper SCHMEICHEL | Goalkeeper | 38 | 36 | 2 |
| 14 | Ngolo KANTE | Midfielder | 38 | 35 | 3 |
| 26 | Riyad MAHREZ | Midfielder | 37 | 35 | 2 |
| 20 | Shinji OKAZAKI | Striker | 37 | 34 | 3 |
| 4 | Danny DRINKWATER | Midfielder | 36 | 34 | 2 |
| 5 | Wes MORGAN | Defender | 36 | 36 | 0 |
| 9 | Jamie VARDY | Striker | 36 | 34 | 2 |
| 6 | Robert HUTH | Defender | 35 | 35 | 0 |
| 23 | Leonardo ULLOA | Striker | 32 | 28 | 4 |
| 28 | Christian FUCHS | Defender | 32 | 30 | 2 |
| 17 | Danny SIMPSON | Defender | 30 | 28 | 2 |
| 10 | Andy KING | Midfielder | 27 | 23 | 4 |
| 15 | Jeff SCHLUPP | Midfielder | 24 | 22 | 2 |
| 24 | Nathan DYER | Midfielder | 14 | 12 | 2 |
| 22 | Demarai GRAY | Midfielder | 12 | 10 | 2 |
| 33 | Gokhan INLER | Midfielder | 10 | 5 | 5 |
| 27 | Marcin WASILEWSKI | Defender | 7 | 2 | 5 |
Essentially most of those 18 players should be retained. Nathan Dyer should be signed on a permanent deal. Inler may depart to accrue more playing time but with the addition of European fixtures he should be convinced to stay. Defender Wasilewski should be moved on and Daniel Amartey the January singing from FC Copenhagen should fill his role. But that doesn’t make 2 full 11s. That leaves a minimum of 4 major signings.
FORWARDS
Up top Leicester are well accounted for. Their three stars from this year Vardy, Okazaki, and Ulloa will be supplemented by the return from loan of Kramaric, who Leicester signed over pursuit from the likes of Chelsea. Kramaric, who at Hoffenheim has bagged 5 goals and 4 assists on loan, should have a role to play. However, Leicester do need one more option up top especially if Kramaric departs this summer on a loan or permanent deal. The most likely target is Ahmed Musa who Leicester attempted to sign in January. Another possibility (albeit a long shot) is Nicholas Bendtner who was released from his contract at Wolfsburg. A Bendtner signing would continue the tradition of signing other teams’ surplus players and rejects like Drinkwater, Simpson, and Huth. Yet, Bendtner’s lack of motivation and discipline would make him a bit of an outsider in the Leicester squad and thus an unlikely choice. Musa on the other hand would work perfectly because his pace makes him a “like for like” backup option for the Pacey Vardy. This is in contrast with Ulloa, Leicester’s current backup option, who forces a change in style. This was evident during Vardy’s suspension for the games against Swansea and Man United. The addition of Musa allows Leicester to maintain continuity in tactics despite rotating the squad, which is crucial.
Central Midfield
Leicester’s midfield partnership of Kante and Drinkwater has been absolute perfection. The two complement each other phenomenally and have incredible understanding of their roles. The problem for Leicester is that those two can’t afford to play each of the 46+ games that Leicester are guaranteed to play next season. Between fatigue and injuries those two will not be able to play the whole season. So what other options do Leicester have at the position? There are two main choices behind the dynamic duo: marquee summer signing Gokhan Inler, who has spent much of this season on the bench, and “Mr. Leicester” the Welsh international Andy King, who has won League 1, the Championship and now the Premier League with the Foxes. Both players are solid options although King is not quite Champions League quality. So again, Leicester could do with a quality addition at this position. With some decent options available this summer on free transfers this isn’t a difficult position to fill. Leicester could sign young Tom Caroll from Tottenham whose chances have been limited by Dembele, Dier, Eriksen, Mason, etc… They could also go for more experienced options like Gibson from Everton and Morrison from West Brom, even the old and vastly experienced Michael Carrick from Manchester United. All these players, particularly Carrick, could do a job for Leicester in the Premier league and cups. They add depth but not necessarily so Leicester may need to go out and add a marquee central midfielder, especially if Kante even considers leaving. Leicester have been reportedly interested in Dennis Praet from Anderlecht and he would be a good start.
Wide Midfield
Mahrez, Albrighton, Schlupp, Grey, and Dyer are an effective core of players at this position. So Leicester should only really add to the position if a player was available on a very good deal, like Everton with Deulofeu. Otherwise Leicester are fine for wide midfielders unless they’re adding for the long term. If they do sign players with long term potential, targets rumored for them include Zakkaria Bakkali and even Eden’s brother Thorgan Hazard. Both players constitute good options and are no doubt only going to improve. Overall however this position (barring any departures) is perfectly fine.
Defenders
Centrally, Robert Huth and Captain Wes Morgan have kept it tight at the back all season, with one of the lowest conceding rates in the league. However, each player is over 30 so replacements need to be brought in. Current replacements include Daniel Amartey who was brought in last January and looks promising and Wasilweski who at 35 is only useful to a certain extent. Liam Moore should return from loan to provide another option at the back, but another central defender is sorely needed. Leicester are reportedly interested in Roma and Greece defender Kostas Manolas, and he would make a valuable and young addition at the back for Leicester. However, with a reported price tag of over 43 million euros, he may prove too expensive. No matter though, Leicester with the extra 200 million may decide such a spend is worth it. Although considering scout Steve Walsh’s shrewd targets before such a buy seems unlikely.
At the fullback position Leicester have some good depth. beyond the starting options of Fuchs and Simpson. The solid Belgian Richie De Laet will return from loan at Middlesbrough, Schlupp can deputize as a LB as he showed under Pearson, and 19-year-old Ben Chilwell is highly touted. However, Chilwell isn’t quite ready, Schlupp is a more natural attacker and Wasilweski is past his best so Leicester need one or maybe two additions to this position going forward. They could target Ajax youngster Jairo Riedewald who would be one for the future, and a fullback for a relegated Premier League team like Alan Hutton, Paul Dummett, Robbie Brady or Billy Jones. Regardless they need to make an addition at this position.
Goalkeepers
Kasper Schmeichel is a very solid first team goalkeeper, but the other options behind him are weak. Schwarzer is 42 and not a particularly good option to start in the Champions League or Premier League if need be. Ben Hamer likewise is not quite good enough but in his case age is not the problem. Young Iversen is a good option for the future, but currently is not ready. They need another option and Vitoria S.C. João Miguel Macedo Silva is reportedly a target. With two solid options, Leicester would be better off next season.
With the addition of 6 or more players Leicester will have a team capable of playing in multiple competitions. Adding, Ahmed Musa up top, Tom Caroll, Dennis Praet, Thorgan Hazard, Zakkaria Bakkali in the midfield, Kostas Manolas and Jairo Riedewald at the back, and João Miguel Macedo Silva in goal, would be a great way of ensuring Leicester have a good follow-up season to this year’s triumph. Leicester are now a big club and must start having depth like one.
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