Football News: Leicester City Transfer Window Round Up
Image from: filgool.net
Outs:
N'Golo Kante to Chelsea.
This was the big loss of the window for the Foxes. Kante had made them tick, to the point that coaching staff at the club had publicly joked about Leicester's midfield being Danny Drinkwater in the centre with Kante playing both sides of him. He was a force of nature who ran and ran and ran some more as they shocked the world to win the Premier League title. The large fee in excess of £30m is no real recompense for his loss. He was almost indispensable.
Andrej Kramaric to Hoffenheim.
After fighting off Chelsea to clinch his signature, there were high hopes for him, but he failed to live up to it. Never really found his feet in England or a place in the team and is no real loss.
Ritchie De Laet to Aston Villa.
The Belgian right back lost his place to Danny Simpson and had never looked close to getting it back. While still a decent back up option, it was best for him to get the chance to go somewhere he would have a chance of regular first team football. The only issue would be if Simpson suffered a long term injury, then his loss would be felt.
Liam Moore to Reading.
The centre back had not been able to hold down a place, and the club had improved on their options in the centre back position, so it was a good time for him to be moved on. Still only young for a centre half, but he was not going to get the chances to play he needed to make progress. Another one the club will not really miss.
Ryan Watson to Barnet.
Jonny Maddison to Yeovil Town.
Jacob Blyth to Motherwell.
Dean Hammond to Sheffield United.
Paul Konchesky to Gillingham.
Five unwanted players released from the club, they have little to no effect and the wage savings are probably the only difference their leaving will make to Leicester.
Tom Lawrence to Ipswich Town (loan).
The youngster has reached 22 now and is working for his future, but it is likely that will be away from Leicester.
Gokhan Inler to Besiktas.
After looking a stellar signing last summer, the Swiss international failed to break into the midfield for the Foxes and his loss will not be felt.
Mark Schwarzer released.
Now 43, the Australian goalkeeper's experience might well be missed around the club, but his ability has been ably replaced by Ron-Robert Zieler.
In:
Islam Slimani from Sporting CP.
A big money record signing for Leicester from Portugese football, Slimani will have a fight on his hands to break into the team. With the goalscoring and pace of Jamie Vardy and the insane workrate of the Japanese Shinji Okazaki ahead of him, the Algerian striker will not be able to walk straight into the team. At 28, he will need to settle quickly, but even if all he does for the team is put pressure on Vardy and Okazaki to keep them playing at their best, he will still be a useful acquisition.
Ahmed Musa from CKSA Moscow.
The lightning quick Nigerian forward has already shown signs that he will be an excellent addition for the East Midlands side. His pace is frightening, and his versatility will be extremely useful. Could potentially be the long term replacement for Vardy, but in the short term, he can also be a useful threat from wide areas, as well as cover up front.
Nampalys Mendy from Nice.
The midfielder they tried to sign initially, before Kante. Now he has big shoes to fill, following Kante's incredible season, it remains to be seen whether Mendy can come anywhere near filling the big gaping hole left by the loss of arguably Europe's best central midfielder last season. So far he has looked competent, but nowhere near the level of his predecessor. He needs to raise his game if Leicester are to be in the mix again at the end of the season.
Bartosz Kapustka from Cracovia Krakow.
The Polish youngster was highly sought after in the summer, but Leicester were able to secure him. Probably more one for the future, rather than this particular season.
Ron-Robert Zieler from Hannover 96.
A highly experienced German keeper, with experience of the English game, after spending time with Manchester United as a youngster, the 27 year old is a solid addition to the squad. His addition has meant Leicester now have two highly accomplished keepers in their squad.
Luis Hernandez from Sporting Gijon.
The free signing from the Primera Liga adds depth to the defence and also gives the option of being able to bring the ball out from the back. The Spanish centre back is very much a ball playing centre half who could turn out to be a steal, if he can adapt to the English game.
Yohan Benalouane from Fiorentina (end of loan).
With the addition of Hernandez and the continued good form of Robert Huth and Wes Morgan, it is unlikely that Benalouane will make any impression on the first team this season.
Overall verdict:
A decent transfer window for Leicester City this summer, despite the big loss of N'Golo Kante. The team now has options and cover for key positions in the side, which was needed with the foray into the European Champions League to deal with this season. The problem is that there is little sign of the team itself having been strengthened for a second run at the title. While they have a much stronger squad, the team is significantly weakened by the loss of Kante and it is difficult to see them getting anywhere near a repeat of their heroics of last season. Having said that, no one foresaw them winning the title last season either.
Written by Tris Burke September 07 2016 08:48:23