Leicester bounced back at the first attempt after a shock Premier League relegation, but off-field issues mean its far from a rosy picture at the King Power Stadium.
Leicester – Premier League Season Preview 2024/25
Last season: 1st (Championship)
Title odds: 1500/1
TFF prediction: 20th
Leicester Transfers 2024/25
In: Bobby Decordova-Reid, Abdul Fatawu, Michael Golding, Caleb Okoli, Facundo Buonanotte (loan).
Out: Kieran Dewsbury-Hall, Dennis Praet, Marc Albrighton, Kelechi Iheanacho, Harry Souttar (loan).
After a shock relegation from the Premier League in 2022/23, Leicester bounced back at the first attempt to win the second tier last season. Enzo Maresca’s side raced out of the traps before holding off the challenge of Ipswich and Leeds to win then Championship, earning an instant return to the top division.
However, the picture is far from rosy at the King Power Stadium. Maresca has moved on to take charge at Chelsea, the influential Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has followed him in a PSR-motivated move, and the club’s financial situation means a Premier League points deduction is possible this season. Surviving as a newly-promoted team is tough enough, without the prospect of handing the sides around you an advantage.
😂 This is brilliant!
The squad have their caricatures done 🎨 pic.twitter.com/nzfknkv70i
— Leicester City (@LCFC) August 15, 2024
Leicester have appointed former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper to replace Maresca and the ex-England youth coach has experience of surviving in this division. The club’s recruitment has been minimal and unspectacular, though Bobby Decordova-Reid a shrewd snap-up on a free from Fulham and Caleb Okoli a player of potential. The biggest deal, however, has been the permanent transfer of Abdul Fatawu who brings an x-factor to this team.
More additions are required, however, while Leicester will not want to rely on Jamie Vardy for goals this season. The Foxes forward scored 20 goals in all competitions last season but will turn 38 in January.
Key player: Harry Winks
With Dewsbury-Hall gone, the onus will be on Harry Winks to lead the Leicester midfield. The 10-cap England international dropped down a division last summer to kick-start his career and proved to be a cut above the Championship.
The task this season will be to ensure Leicester can keep possession in the Premier League, as Steve Cooper’s side look to gain control at a higher level. Winks has the technique and composure to do so, if Cooper can get energy around him in the engine room.
One to watch: Abdul Fatawu
From unknown quantity to Foxes favourite in a season on loan from Sporting Lisbon, the permanent arrive of the Ghana winger will delight the Leicester fans. Fatawu scored six goals and provided 13 assists in the Championship last season and impressed with his unpredictability in wide areas. Still just 20, he has bags of promise.
