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Yesterday, we shared our plans for Leicester, focusing on player logistics and creating a strong squad for next season. Having a squad of only 22 players is essential. If more support is needed, the development squad should be prepared to help.
We focused on just adding two new permanent signings. The profile of the two players were exemplified, naming a top forward, Tobias Lauritsen, and a versitale midfielder, Cameron Brannagan. These two players do have the profile needed to address the problems at the club during last season. Both are experienced, can go straight into a first eleven and contribute from day one.
We have now done a thorough search on potential loan players to fill positions where Leicester lack options.
We have seen a number of outlets suggesting more changes, but we feel that the club should be very careful when they decide on their next chapter and not go for a big bang and throw out needed experience, long term relations and actually build on some of the quality left at the club.
To build a good and competitive squad of 22 players, the group we have identified, needs 4 new loan signings. Next season the following comes in play for League One clubs. Matchday Squad Limit: Clubs can only name a maximum of five loan players in their matchday squad of 18 players. Total Registrations: While there is no strict cap on the total number of players a club can register on loan over the course of a season, in practice, most clubs limit their intake due to the matchday squad constraint. From the Same Club: Clubs can sign a maximum of four players on loan from the same club in a single season. Age Restrictions: Only two of the four players allowed from a single club can be over the age of 23.
The squad we create for next season will include experienced players along with younger talent, featuring both long-term and short-term contracts. We have also pinpointed two players for permanent signings, each likely to receive contracts lasting two to four years. It’s crucial to bring in two permanent players aged between 26 and 30, providing the right experience without excessive demands to achieve results.
Josh Nichols (18), is the first Arsenal player, who was born after The Emirates Stadium opened, to get a competitive goal involvement at the ground. 🤯🅰️ pic.twitter.com/SqrsLKHwKx
— DailyAFC (@DailyAFC) September 25, 2024
Looking back at where Leicester are looking to find their loan options, we are going down the same route. We need flank alternatives, and one player capable of doing both the wide and top attacking option as a third emergency alternative if needed. Having a new signing of the profile of Tobias Lauritsen identified as first choice, Lorenz Hutchinson as his cover and a versitale player to be the third choice.
Leicester have options in their squad, but still we believe a loan signing would be preferred. Nathan Opoku could be the option, as well as Silko Thomas, but we believe a fresh face with special potential should be loaned in. Thomas and Opoku in our opinion do not have the qualities needed to be a versitale option.
We have looked at profiles from top academies like Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool. Leicester do have good connections with these clubs, and we found some potential players. First would have approached Man City to recruit the two sons of Emile Heskey, Reigan Heskey (18) and Jaden Heskey (20), who aren’t currently far from established first team players at The Etihad. They could provide valuable attacking options for Leicester. Both can play on the wings, as well as in number 10 or 9 roles. Jaden played 20 league games on loan at Sheffield Wednesday last season. Reigan Heskey (Left/Right Winger) has emerged as one of the standout talents in the City academy. He was named the U18 Player of the Season after a prolific 2024/25 campaign, showing high-level creativity and clinical finishing.
Then we have looked at players to fill in and challenging for those two full back positions. We have identified Tomas Galvez as one of those options. The 20 year old Finland full international has been on loan at Cambuur this season, being part of a promotion campaign, getting up from the second tier into the Dutch Eresdivisie. He would challenge Luke Thomas and give this side of the field another dimention if playing. To get him in would be difficult, but his profile is the type of addition we would like to see.
For a right back option, another deep dive into the loan market makes found Josh Nichols from Arsenal as the player to call. The 19 year old has a very interesting profile and would be one challenging Olabade Aluko for this postion, potentially being a more robust option. Nichiols is highly rated but at 19 far from a starting option for Mikel Arteta. He is also a player that would be a risk to sign permanent for a club at Championship level, but still would be a perfect loan signing for the Championship, but still Leicester could be a fantastic chance for this highly talented prospect.
These players would complete the squad for next season, being the following,
Goalkeepers: Stolarczyk, Vieites, French*, Bausor*
Defenders: Aluko, Nichols!, Thomas, Galvez!, Souttar, Vestergaard, Gray, Nelson
Midfield: Skipp, Choudhury, Braybrooke, Page, Brannagan#, Cordova-Reid, Joseph*
Forwards: J Heskey!, R Heskey!, Lauritsen#, Mavididi, Evans, Hutchinson
* Academy player filling the space to the tally of 25 players
! Loan signings
# Permanent signings
This would be a good squad for next season, without any transfer fees paid, and wouldn’t create major issues if you are promoted and ready to invest.
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