The January transfer window is almost upon us, and Leicester City have already been linked with players as Ruud van Nistelrooy looks to shape his squad for the second half of the season.
The new City boss has confirmed that there will be money to spend in the window, but has said that the club are in no rush to complete deals as he continues to assess his current squad, as well as the options available in the Development squad.
One player who has been linked with a return to the King Power Stadium is midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Just six months after a £30 million move to Chelsea, the Mirror report that the City academy graduate could be available on loan in January, with City already registering their interest.
The 26-year old was named City’s player of the season last year as he played a big part in helping the team to earn promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. He has however struggled for game time since leaving for Chelsea.
So, would a loan move back to Leicester be right for both the club and the player and should City follow up on their reported interest? LeicestershireLive writers have had their say.
Amie Wilson
I don’t think Leicester can say no to a deal if Dewsbury-Hall is available this summer, purely down to the boost it would give to both the squad and the fans. Welcoming back an academy graduate six months after a £30 million move would be exciting for fans, and KDH wouldn’t need any settling in period due to how well he knows the place.
If Chelsea could pay a portion of his wages, then that would make a deal easier to do, and presuming that the club are able to cancel Odsonne Edouard’s loan to free up that loan place.
The one question would be where he would fit into Van Nistelrooy’s set-up. Wilfred Ndidi, Boubakary Soumare and Harry Winks are likely to be competing for the two sitting roles, while Facundo Bounanotte and Bilal El Khannouss are competing for the number 10 role.
In reality, Dewbury-Hall can play in either, and his return would provide more options that were lacking for the team against Newcastle.
From what we’ve seen so far, Van Nistelrooy’s team operate in a high energy way. That’s something KDH doesn’t lack in the middle of the park, it feels like a return would be good for both the club and the player.
Tom Coley
Well Chelsea certainly don't need Dewsbury-Hall. The call to bring him in over the summer looked a strange one at the time and has only been proven to be that way so far.
Selling Conor Gallagher in the process really was barmy. This is what Chelsea have ended up with, though, and must now work their way through it.
Everyone would benefit from a move in January. For the better of getting his career back on track and finding some momentum it would be good for Dewsbury-Hall to find a spark again, Chelsea have no reason to hold onto him, and Leicester are in need of quality throughout.
The question once again is whether or not Dewsbury-Hall really can cut it at this level. Albeit in a more attacking role in the Championship, he did look able to make the step up when at Leicester last season but has rarely looked Conference League standard, let alone Premier League or even top four.
With confidence and acting as one of the main men rather in a large supporting cast he might be able to find the spark again.
Kieran King
As a Shepshed lad myself, I would love to see Dewsbury-Hall return to Leicester one day. However, I don't think signing him on loan in January is the smartest idea.
A central midfielder is the position the Foxes need to strengthen the least and I believe using that last loan spot - assuming Odsonne Eduoard is sent back to Crystal Palace - on another central midfielder would seem pointless, even if Dewsbury-Hall would make a difference. Harry Winks, Boubakary Soumare, Wilfried Ndidi and Oliver Skipp have proved to be a competent trio so far this season and there is no real need to strengthen that area when, in my opinion, signing a new centre-back, right-back and goalkeeper is far more important.
I would even go as far as saying a striker and a right-winger would be needed more than a central midfielder at this point. It's why I believe that Ruud van Nistelrooy and the Leicester board should avoid the temptation to re-sign Dewsbury-Hall in January and look at signing a right-back and a centre-back, in particular, instead.
Jordan Blackwell
There are so many qualities that Dewsbury-Hall would bring to this City team: a passion for the club, energy in the game that invigorates team-mates, a determination not to be involved in another relegation, a boost to the fans’ morale.
But what City need is quality. They need players who are going to improve their starting 11 and who are going to be able to perform consistently. This squad is not underperforming to the extent the last relegated City side was.
And it’s difficult to see where Dewsbury-Hall comes in and makes a huge difference to the team. Under Enzo Maresca last season, it was established that he was at his best playing behind the striker, but with Facundo Buonanotte City’s best outfield player this season and with Bilal El Khannouss their best performer since Ruud van Nistelrooy took charge, they don’t need an attacking midfielder.
In the deeper midfield roles, Van Nistelrooy looks to prefer the greater physical attributes that Wilfred Ndidi and Boubakary Soumare bring. Dewsbury-Hall would have a better chance of getting into the team there, but would still not be a certain starter.
So, right now, it wouldn’t be the best deal for City. A new right-back, a loan winger to cover for Abdul Fatawu’s absence, and a new centre-back should be the priorities in January. However, come next summer, when Buonanotte is heading back to Brighton, if Dewsbury-Hall was still available and at a cut price, then he would make a great signing.
Would you like to see Dewsbury-Hall return on loan in January? Tell us in the comments section