Leicester’s summer transfer business
Ins: Harry Winks (£10m from Spurs), Conor Coady (£7.5m from Wolves), Mads Hermansen (£6m from Brondby), Callum Doyle (loan to Man City)
Outs: James Maddison (£40m to Spurs), Harvey Barnes (£39m to Newcastle), George Hirst (£1.5m to Ipswich), Youri Tielemans (free to Aston Villa), Caglar Soyuncu (free to Atletico Madrid), Daniel Amartey (free to Besiktas), Ayoze Perez (free to Real Betis), Jonny Evans (free to Man Utd), Nampalys Mendy (free), Ryan Bertrand (free)
“The idea is to try to play in one way, the way we want, but it will require time,” Maresca said when asked whether Leicester would attempt to become the Man City of the second-tier. “Hopefully we can achieve it as soon as possible.”
A consequence both of relegation and an exodus of first-team talent is that greater opportunities for young players can emerge. Wanya Marcal-Madivadua, a 20-year-old Portuguese winger, is the leading contender to become the club’s breakthrough act of 2023 after catching the eye during pre-season. Left-back Luke Thomas will be buoyed by being a part of England U21s’ Euro success after a difficult campaign at club level.
“Every team will want to come to our stadium and take points as probably for them we are the most important team in the Championship,” Maresca acknowledged. “I experienced this at City. Every team were trying desperately to get points from us as the best team in the Premier League. The same will happen with us and we have to be ready.”
With uncertainty surrounding who could stay, who could go and who could arrive, it remains to be seen how ready a new-look Leicester are to embark on their unforeseen new era. An opening game against beaten play-off finalists Coventry City is a tricky first test, albeit one that will be taken at home.
Suggesting that relegation can be a positive thing for a club is a luxury reserved for fans of other teams. Try telling Leicester fans or the club’s owner Aiyawatt “Top” Srivaddhanaprabha that demotion was anything other than a sporting and financial disaster. But it was evident that a changing of the guard was required. After years of punching above their weight, Leicester eventually punched themselves out.
The good times were fun while they lasted. Now a new era begins.
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