Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Michael Golding, and Caleb Okoli have joined Steve Cooper’s side this summer, but there are still a few more players to sign to complete Leicester City’s squad
Five weeks from now, Steve Cooper will step out at the King Power Stadium to take charge of a competitive Leicester City match for the first time.
But when he comes to pick his 20-man matchday squad to take on Tottenham Hotspur, will he have the players he hopes to have? City have already strengthened their ranks but it feels like further signings are still required.
But what sort of signings do City need? Here, we have taken each area of the squad and assessed whether there is the quality and depth there to successfully achieve Premier League survival.
Goalkeepers
Mads Hermansen, Jakub Stolarczyk, Danny Ward, Daniel Iversen, Brad Young
On the basis of last season, Mads Hermansen is more than good enough to be a Premier League number one. He may have been signed because of his ability with the ball at his feet, but he proved he can keep the ball out of the net too, something that will be vital this coming season. He’s going to face more shots this term.
Jakub Stolarczyk, while not quite as composed in possession, has shown himself to be a fine shot-stopper too. Right now, there would be no reason not to trust him in the event Hermansen picked up an injury.
All that considered, it doesn’t feel like City have any need for a new goalkeeper. Given the futures of Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen are not certain, with Derby interested in the latter, it’s possible an experienced third-choice option may be required, but otherwise City feel pretty set between the sticks.
Readiness rating: 4/5
Centre-backs
Jannik Vestergaard, Wout Faes, Ben Nelson, Conor Coady, Harry Souttar, Caleb Okoli
The signing of Caleb Okoli looks to be the final piece of the jigsaw here. The Italian can play on the left of a back three, giving Cooper the option of that set-up, while he also brings aggression, strength and, most importantly, pace, something that City were missing among their defensive options.
Now, City have a centre-back group that has an excellent mix of experience and youth, with players in there who can build from the back, defend one-on-ones and dominate aerially. No matter the approach Cooper wants to take, he has options.
Really, the question is whether the new manager can keep all six centre-backs happy with their level of game-time. The answer is probably not, so it may require one to be sold or loaned out before the end of the transfer window.
Readiness rating: 5/5
Full-backs/wing-backs
Ricardo Pereira, James Justin, Victor Kristiansen, Luke Thomas
In Ricardo Pereira and James Justin at the very least, City have two full-backs who, at their best, are top-half Premier League players. While keeping them fit has been an issue in the past, they both came through last season without much concern.
Both have qualities to thrive in attack and defence, with Ricardo excellent in tight spaces and at facing down wingers, while Justin is athletic and full of energy. They can each play on either side of the defence too.
In Victor Kristiansen, City have a left-back who may feel he is worthy of a starting spot too after helping Bologna qualify for the Champions League last season. As such, there’s no guarantee he would want to stick around, even if Enzo Maresca has now left and the door is again open for him to get into the team.
After a difficult season on loan at Sheffield United and Middlesbrough, there are doubts over whether Luke Thomas is up to the standard City need, albeit he has proven in the past that he can have good games as a stand-in. City also have Hamza Choudhury who can drop in at right-back, and Kasey McAteer, who could play as a wing-back.
But if Cooper wants to use Ricardo as a midfielder, given how he played last season, and if Kristiansen wants to leave, then City will be short. Then they will definitely need a new full-back.
Readiness rating: 3/5
Deep midfielders
Harry Winks, Wilfred Ndidi, Boubakary Soumare, Hamza Choudhury, Sammy Braybrooke, Brandon Cover
Wilfred Ndidi’s contract extension boosts City’s deep midfield options significantly, and he will be a big contender to start Cooper’s first match in charge. With Choudhury, there’s two ball-winners in there, while Boubakary Soumare, if he sticks around, is another physical presence and someone who can carry the ball through the midfield.
Harry Winks would be the ball-playing midfielder in there, and right now his most natural back-up is Sammy Braybrooke, a talented but so far inexperienced youngster. Saying that, Ricardo remains a midfield option too.
It feels like there is a decent balance to the squad in that area. One more new recruit there would be nice, but it’s maybe not a necessity.
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