Leicester were relegated last season. Surprisingly, they sacked Steve Cooper early in the season. They had never been in the bottom three during his short time at the club. We had little or no understanding of that decision. We were against the sacking of Cooper. Yet, we had little or no understanding of his recruitment. He added players who were either too old or lacked the quality. No long term thoughts in recruitment, besides the addtion of Bilal El Khannouss, who was a splended addition.
The relegation made it clear that ceveral players had expressed a desire to leave. But that is a desire and in real something a player under contract can’t decide. He needs and should behave professionally.
Looking at the squad handed over to Marti Cifuentes, he must have misjudged everything completely. If he had any idea of the quality of certain players leaving, he would not have given up so easily. He acted arrogantly and strangely. He believed, if not happy at the club, you can leave. That is a fair comment if you can replace the players who you decide to let go, if not, as it turned out to be, a clear disaster.
Leicester should have kept Wout Faes, Wilfried Ndidi, and Bilal El Khannouss. Should not have sold James Justin either, with little or no quality back up. Kasey McAteer would also have given more depth to the squad. Their presence could have helped the club fight for promotion instead of relegation. Faes and El Khannouss left the club on loan, Ndidi was sold for €9.5 million. McAteer and Justin also had major fees on their head. They were all on running contracts. Would have been reluctant to sell James Justin and Kasey McAteer. Both would have been in, or close to the starting line-up.
Instead players such as Hamza Choudhury, Jordan Ayew, Victor Kristiansen, Caleb Okoli and Bobby De Cordova-Reid could have been sold or released. They are all fringe, and not really contributing much. To sell players who are and should be certainties in this Leicester team and keep fringe men to believe they should take over, is something that we have seen, will not work. Then to depend on loan men to fix the results are neither a proper solution.
Wout Faes: "I'm ready to play and help the team" 👇https://t.co/mxiUl39aFa
— AS Monaco EN 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco_EN) January 14, 2026
Leicester recruitment policy over the last few years, is a brain dead scenario. They have no idea how to build up a squad of correct balance, relation and quality. Ndidi, Faes and El Khannouss were 100% certain to play every game with a manager understanding football. They were and should have been the backbound of this football team. They are all on long term deals, so why you decide to ship them out is a riddle.
We do believe a first team squad should be build up with a certain hierarchy and balance. The inability to convince certain quality players to stay at Leicester does not look like a proper fight. they were all needed. Jordan James is the only proper signing this season. Taking him on loan has been a good midfield addition.
This would have seen Leicester having a proper set up, with good squad depth;
Goalkeepers: Jacub Stolarczyk, Asmir Begovic, Defenders: Ricardo Pereira, James Justin, Luke Thomas, Jannik Vestergaard, Wout Faes, Ben Nelson, Jaamal Lascelles, Harry Souttar, Midfield: Harry Winks, Louis Page, Wilfred Ndidi, Oliver Skipp, Bilal El Khannouss, Jordan James, Forwards: Patson Daka, Jeremy Monga, Abdul Fatawu, Stephy Mavididi, Kasey McAteer, Jake Evans
A well balanced squad, with alternatives. Good age balance and hopefully seen Leicester in a much better situation than what we see at this point.
The inclusion of Jaamal Lascelles as a short term back up could have been done in January, nothing more needed.
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