A massive blow for Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers as his team will be without Wesley Fofana for the time being seen last night taken down with a horror tackle, and later confirmed that his leg had been fractured. His absence will be addressed later, but we are surely talking several months.
With Jonny Evans and Wesley Fofana both absent at this moment, a suggestion is to move Wilfred Ndidi back and into the defense as was done last season with could results, but with Papy Mendy also out, it could be difficult to just push the Nigerian international down in the central defense without any alternatives ready to step in midfield. Hamza Chudhury is a defensive type of player but not really a cover in this crucial midfield position.
Embed from Getty ImagesLast night did see a Leicester team that with their preferred first eleven did play Villareal off the park, and the moves and system used was a fluid type that makes this one of the most interesting set up’s in football at the moment, of course Wilfred Ndidi playing with big impact in a role balancing the whole team, and seeing him moved would be a big and major surprise.
Leicester will play Man City in the Community Shield on Saturday and what Brendan Rodgers will do short term will be interesting to see, but to move Wilfred Ndidi out of his best position could be an option and let Bouba Soumare play alongside Youri Tielemans and James Maddison, also a great set-up, but again so many questions to be answerred.
There are of course a great number of players linked with Leicester and Turkey international Ozan Kabak has been mentioned and linked with a possible move happening, that could be the best alternative as the youngster might come in for a reasonable price, but again not a player with a lot of routine.
Embed from Getty ImagesLiverpool defender Ben Davies was linked with Leicester over the past two transfer windows and at Championship level done really well with Preston. His move to Anfield in January has not yet been a great success, not involved in first team games so far. The name is in the hat, but if he is a good alternative you would not be sure. Davies has been linked with a loan move to Sheffield United, but his name can fast be put forward as an alternative for Leicester.
The signing of Raphael Varane at Man Utd would also see a number of players being surplus and as we earlier suggested Phil Jones could be on a short list and at least be seen as a loan move alternative, also available for a low price probably. Alex Tuanzebe is a player that also has seen his chances at Man Utd limited, with the 24 year old seen chased by Newcastle, and in that bubble teams such as Leicester and Everton also being mentioned as possibilities for the England U.21 defender.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe fact that Leicester are looking for emergency alternatives could also see free agent Gary Cahill as a possible candidate, but not yet been listed as a close target. Cahill (35) has not made any comments about his future as a footballer, but of course one player with routine and showed last season with The Eagles that he still copes well with the PL level.
Arsenal are in a total rebuild and with them still chasing James Maddison the name Rob Holding is said to be among those alternatives that could be an option. Would rather see Calum Chambers as an alternative and the England international would be good alternative, though it all depends on that Maddison affair.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe inclusion of Ben Nelson in pre-season games does tell us a story that the 17 year old might be thrown into the action as well, with Brendan Rodgers showing great boldness in inclusion of younger players at Leicester pushing forward the likes of Ben Chilwell, Hamza Choudhury, Luke Thomas and Harvey Barnes all coming up through the academy at the club. In this pre-season we have seen several other youngsters as well involved.
TCF earlier stated that Filip Benkovic could be a good alternative and of course Daniel Amartey could get his full and truly chance to shine alongside Caglar Soyuncu and with two full international alternatives, why really go out for a new central defender, we believe Brendan Rodgers is far from pushing the panic button, just yet.
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