Having missed out on a top-four finish at the eleventh hour last season, Leicester will be desperate to go one better this time around. Can the club’s new signings take them to the next level?
• Manager: Brendan Rodgers
• Stadium: King Power Stadium
• Last Season: 5th
Brendan Rodgers has done a remarkable job at the King Power Stadium since taking charge back in February 2019, transforming the Foxes into one of the strongest sides in the division.
Thanks for your support yesterday, #lcfc fans 👊#LeiVil 📸⤵️— Leicester City (@LCFC) August 5, 2021
Thanks for your support yesterday, #lcfc fans 👊#LeiVil 📸⤵️
With Jamie Vardy still banging in goals at a rapid rate and stars like Youri Tielemans shining in the middle of the park, Leicester will be expected to push for Champions League football in 2021/22.
The Foxes enjoyed a strong start to the previous campaign, winning nine of their opening 14 Premier League games.
However, they tailed off towards the end of the season and lost five of their final nine games – finishing just one point behind fourth-place Chelsea and missing out on a spot in the UCL.
Regardless of their disappointment in the league, Rodgers’ men produced an excellent performance to beat Chelsea 1-0 in the FA Cup final, with Tielemans netting a long-range screamer.
• Patson Daka – Red Bull Sazlburg (£27.00m)
• Boubakary Soumare – LOSC Lille (£18.00m)
• Ryan Bertrand – Southampton (Free)
Leicester have gained a reputation for their smart transfer business in recent times – and this summer has been no different.
Goal-machine Patson Daka has arrived from RB Salzburg, Ligue 1 winner Boubakary Soumare has joined from Lille, while Ryan Betrand comes in free of charge from Saints.
• Christian Fuchs – Charlotte United (Free)
• Matty James – Bristol City (Free)
• Wes Morgan – Retired
Two members of the famous 2015/16 title-winning squad have left during the off-season, with Christian Fuchs heading to the USA and Wes Morgan retiring.
Following almost a decade at the club, Matty James has left to join Championship side Bristol City on a free.
Jamie Vardy – The Foxes’ squad is stacked with talent. However, there is no denying that Vardy stands out from the crowd.
FA Cup...completed it mate! 💙 pic.twitter.com/5PrbPfGTgj— Jamie Vardy (@vardy7) May 15, 2021
FA Cup...completed it mate! 💙 pic.twitter.com/5PrbPfGTgj
The 2019/20 Golden Boot winner has netted 147 goals in 352 appearances for Leicester, and even at 34, he remains one of the most dangerous strikers in the league.
Leicester are more than capable of challenging for a top-four finish this season. That said, they head into the new campaign on the back of successive fifth-place finishes.
Rodgers’ men have struggled to get over the line in the past couple of seasons. But if the new signings can complement the squad, the Foxes could break into the top four.