A number of talking points after the first league game of the season. The game in itself was a bit of a flashback to what happened last season, but there were a lot of positives, as we believe the young guns of this football club will continue to flourish. Jayden Joseph, Sammy Braybrooke and Will Alves are in there, to take control.
The worrying part from that game is the new recruits and their influence. James Cullen and Wes Burns were the two new outfield players in action from start, and to say the least, we are talking early doors.
SQUAD BUILD
Looking at the situation and how we measured everything back in May, Russell Martin have done something positive, something questionable and also a few very negative decisions in our view.
POSITIVES
The positive additions are Tommy Watson, Harry Harlow, Conor Chaplin, and possibly Admir Bristric. The transfers of Harry Winks, Bilal El Khannouss, Tom Wilson-Brown, Abdul Fatawu, and Henry Cartwright were expected, and it seems more players should have left by now. It’s surprising that Wout Faes hasn’t departed yet. Harry Harlow is a good alternative on the flank or in that offensive midfield role, could also possibly play alongside Braybrooke and Alves in the midfield area.
QUESTIONABLE
The use of Wes Burns and Liam Cullen looks questionable, as they bring certain qualities to the team that in real at this point is used wrongly. They both started in the game vs. Notts County, but had little or no impact. To see Alves on the other flank of Burns, is strange. Alves should play as a 10, everyday of the week, then you could have pushed Liam Cullen up front, and given Tommy Watson a start. This would have build a better link up with Alves who could have made the creative runs and decisions in a better fashion then Bobby De Cordova-Reid or Liam Cullen. The fact that Louis Page might be leaving, is a sad thing, but in his absence and hopefully when Conor Chaplin is back available, Leicester will have a good set up. The problem at this point is Russell Martin not understanding how to use Will Alves, strangely assistants and former midfielders Andy King and Wes Houlihan has no say in that department, hopefully understanding the use of a creative and fantastic offensive midfielder. This would have seen Wes Burns in a much better light, as his type and profile would have been more to use having Will Alves in the centre.
BAD
The additions of experienced goalkeepers Alex McCarthy and Franco Ravizzoli is far from logic. In an offensive and energic use of your own academy, you should always have a young goalkeeper on his toes to step in if needed. Stevie Bausor should have been given that opportunity. You also have Harry French to call on. This is bad policy regarding use of wages on players and shows lack of financial understanding. If you have goalkeepers at the age of 20, who are not good enough to cover, then send them to other shores. Jacub Stolarczyk is a proper goalkeeper at League One level, and no reason to leave him out.
To field a team without a striker, with a presence up front, is seen as a strange strategy. It can work, but a bold and very stubborn decision to make, having Nathan Opoku and Kirsten Otchere to work with, and of course a lot of time to decide on a profile to add in this transfer window. Admir Bristric is a wild card and can hopefully be one to hope for, but still if not having use of Opoku or Otchere, another player with a presence and understanding this role must be added.
SIXTEEN TRANSFERS
Looking at the players and how this could be after the transfer window close, we believe that Russell Martin could be doing a lot of changes before the window close. Woyo Coulibaly looks to be far from a place in the team at this point, not even on the bench yesterday. Wout Faes, Stephy Mavididi and Harry Souttar are also players in demand and could be moving.
In the midfield we had hopes for Oliver Skipp do become a player to trust this season, but he never convinced anyone yesterday and in real could have been switched with Sammy Braybrooke, doing a better job in the box to box position. Skipp has interest from Middlesbrough and Preston, but would be surprised if he leaves.
Louis Page, Hamza Choudhury and Bobby De Cordova-Reid are also attracting interest. Choudhury has interest from Birmingham and Sheffield United, Page chased by Man Utd and Arsenal. BDCR is a player, used in his best way, one who can attract interest from several parties. His former clubs Cardiff and Bristol City will most certainly keep an eye on him, if he becomes available.
Stephy Mavididi is also one who is said to be on his way out. Middlesbrough and Rangers are the clubs being linked with him, earlier seen interest from Serie A and Derby. Michael Golding and Jacub Stolarczyk are also players that can be on the move, if the correct offer comes in. We have also seen interest for Caleb Okoli, with Serie A club Sassoulo being keen.
Nathan Opoku played for the U21’s vs. Plymouth in their 3-1 home win on Friday. Despite getting a shirt number, he looks to be far from a part in any plan of Russell Martin for this season. This could either lead to a sale or a loan to happen before the deadline of this transfer window.
Caleb Okoli and Harry Souttar started vs. Notts County, with no other central defender on the bench. Ben Nelson is injured and Kevon Gray looks to be far from a Russell Martin favourite. Faes said to be busy and involved in a transfer situation. If a decision is made to sell Souttar, Okoli and Faes, then Choudhury is one potential to utlize alongside a new man. We believe that if any club meets the valuation fee, Faes, Okoli and Souttar could all be leaving. We all know how busy it can be in the final day of the transfer window, so here we go.
If informed about Leicester and their current situation, this fire sale was expected. With the additions made, we believe Leicester need a minimum of two new central defenders and one attacking option, if all of these players are leaving.
Leicester City have been put up for sale for more than £200m, with their Seagrave training ground alone valued at £121m. The sale comes after back-to-back relegations dropped the former Premier League champions into League One for only the second time in the club’s history. pic.twitter.com/AZ3RsL4y9I
— 90 Plus (@90PlusHQ) August 15, 2026
NEW OWNERS ON THE HORIZON?
The club is officially up for sale. In the past months, we have seen a local group being named as a potential buyer of land and property. Another mystic unnamed Saudi Arabian based buyer is said to have interest, but other than that it looks a strange and very odd process.
Different experts on football finance do have their opinions on the situation. The grim reality is very much like what we did see 24 years ago. This looks more like a collapse and a process of fear of administration, than a controlled and build scenario of a good and healthy sales process.
The money received from parachute payments are said to allready being used to keep up with loans given by the Australian investment bank Macquarie Bank (often nicknamed the “Vampire Kangaroo” in football finance circles).
The fact that we think this has happened right before the season starts shows the club’s sad state and pressure from creditors to make payments. No reasonable decision-maker would sell their club just days before a season opener without informing fans, players, or staff. This seems like a forced decision.
Russell Martin commenting on the situation in his press conference before the match vs. Notts County. He said he had no information. Martin is in close contact with the financial department, getting his facts and updates on how he can use funds to attract new players.
At this point, we believe it will be hard to find a buyer willing to spend £2 billion. We hope for a situation like what happened with Sheffield Wednesday or Sunderland, but with this asking price, it appears to be a tough target for potential buyers.
Saudi Arabian investors have the same approach as other investors, they are after a profit long term and not doing this with love for Leicester or football in general. A Premier League life can be a possible challenge for a new investor, but it needs a heavy hand to carry this out.
At this point, no news about any buyers.
As usual information on this matter comes from other outside media information. Accordingly Leicester have declined to comment on the sale brochure when contacted by BBC Sport.
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