Firstly Leicester have to bring in a new manager and then the shuffle of the first team squad will start. The strangest part of this is that talks are allready started regarding sales and that is a major worry as this pattern is something to address as problematic.
This club needs to walk as they talk, but the worry is now that moves are negotiated before a new manager has arrived and he will be without a chance to influence these decisions.
To build a solid squad, looking as it should to get a good result is a difficult act and should in no way start before a new manager is appointed.
First you need a settled idea on how you should select your best eleven. You also need to decide on a system and have a plan b. Not using your plan b to make drastic changes but just make minor adjustments to your preferred style by pushing one or two players in some other direction.
Then you decide on your age balance and of course who are selling objects and who are not. Last season to move Jamie Vardy and Wilfred Ndidi on was a disastrous decision. Both players do have the presence needed when you get into difficult times and they would have given the group more stability.
The squad should consist of 22 players. If you need 25 names, select three from the development group to assign shirt numbers. Focus on quality over quantity, and avoid putting high-paid players on the bench while lower-paid players start, as this creates significant issues.
Many people are concerned about young players when things go wrong. This poses a big challenge for managers who lack the tools to address these issues, which can drain energy and impact the spirit and dynamics needed to win football games.
Jeremy Monga is unsurprisingly attracting from the Premier League. 16 year-old contract at #LCFC is set to become a professional one when he turns 17 in July.
— Josh Holland (@_joshhollandd) May 9, 2026
Reports suggesting Man United are in talks over a £6million deal. #MUFC https://t.co/rajZUlrD6H
Using a young player involves a process and can be risky when trying to establish a place in the first team and a winning culture. Sammy Braybrooke has the potential to be part of the Leicester setup next season as his development is similar to that of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
We might have up to 10 new signings next season, depending on how many players leave. Right now, not much is happening; a few players are linked, but there isn’t much excitement.
The problem at the minute is to balance out everything correctly. Fran Vieites and Jacub Stolarczyk are both goalkeepers who sould be good enough to perform to the standard of getting a promotion. That is why Leicester should not use either salary or money on a third choice, instead bringing in a younger prospect to cover. One the two, Stevie Bausor or Harry French, could be that third goalkeeper option.
In the defense, we believe players like Caleb Okoli, Woyo Coulibaly, Victor Kristiansen, and Wout Faes will leave, bringing in good transfer fees. However, there’s enough talent, so we don’t need to buy anyone right now. Olabade Aluko, Harry Souttar, Jannik Vestergaard, and Luke Thomas should be part of the squad next season. Ben Nelson is a concern; we would have kept him, but he won’t push Souttar or Vestergaard out of the team, which might hinder his development. Kevon Gray could also be a suitable cover. This leaves positions for a left and right back open. We would aim to bring in two young players on loan to challenge for the spots held by Aluko and Thomas.
Oliver Skipp, Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Hamza Choudhury are dependable players. With Sammy Braybrooke and Louis Page ready, the midfield needs one more versatile player for the 10 or 8 position. Leicester must quickly address the Harry Winks situation by either loaning him out or selling him.
Leicester needs some new players to fill gaps in the attacker department. Hopes are that Stephy Mavididi would stay. Abdul Fatawu is likely to be sold, but with him picking up an injury, that might be tough.
Silko Thomas is one to sell or send out on loan. We believe Jeremy Monga will be leaving. Jake Evans should be given a chance to play some type of role. Will Alves has not been able to fill a starting position at Huddersfield so he will in our view not be one to trust as a regular starter. Would see him getting more out of a loan move somewhere. With the belief that Abdul Fatawu will be leaving, more attacking options are needed. Transfers or loan options to be considered. We also believe Nathan Opoku is far from a solution at this point.
This results in a squad of 22 players. Those marked with * will wear numbers 23 to 25. Goalkeepers: Stolarczyk, Vieites, French *, Bausor *; Defenders: Aluko, Souttar, Vestergaard, Gray, Nelson, Thomas, New (l), New (l), Midfielders: De Cordova-Reid, Skipp, Choudhury, Braybrooke, Page, New, Joseph *; Forwards: Mavididi, Evans, Hutchinson, New, New (l), New (l).
This would lead to Leicester going into the transfer and loan market to find six new players.
To bring Tobias Lauritsen in on a free transfer from Sparta Rotterdam would be ideal. He has the qualities needed for the top striker role. Nathan Opoku has signed a new deal, but he isn’t a reliable backup and may go out on loan or make a permanent move elsewhere. With Lorenz Hutchinson in there, he would be the back up for Tobias Lauritsen. The two flank players should be coming in on loan. The two backup defenders should be loaned in from other clubs. Then Leicester just need one more signing at that would be Oxford versitale Cameron Brannagan. The 30 year old would bring in much needed quality in that midifeld area. He is a player who takes loads of responsibility and would be an ideal addition.
Brannagan can operate in several midfield roles, but at Leicester he would be the ideal player in the number 10 jersey. He can score goals and he has a great work rate. He has experience from a League One promotion with Oxford. The former Liverpool player will do a midfield job in a manner that would also see him also going deeper and help in other areas if needed. One of the most underrated players in English football. His deal is up, Oxford are down. Cameron Brannagan is available on a free this summer.
This would lead Leicester to spend zero and hopefully have enough quality in the squad to win straight promotion with a squad of special quality and strength.
We will assess four loans that would fit the bill for those two flank cover alternatives up front and covering left and right back positions.
Different sources indicate that more players may leave, but we think a new manager wants to assess the squad before adding new ones. Oliver Skipp, Jannik Vestergaard, Harry Souttar, Hamza Choudhury, and Stephy Mavididi are in demand and could be sold. Ben Nelson also has admirers at higher levels, but losing all these players would raise doubts about preparing for the season opener in August. Louis Page is also linked out, but we believe the club doesn’t need to sell up to eleven players that would be a difficult scenario.
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