What the future holds for five Leicester City players after transfer exits denied
Not only did Leicester City’s deadline day finish with no further additions to Ruud van Nistelrooy’s squad, but the first-team players who had been linked with moves away during the January window ended up staying put.
City have 27 players in their senior squad and when there’s only 11 in the starting line-up each week, it can be hard to keep them all happy. Naturally, some of those players will want fresh starts elsewhere.
But what will become of those players now they’re staying at City? Here’s a look at what the next few months hold for each of them.
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Odsonne Edouard
City were not willing to incur the cost of cancelling Edouard’s deal from Crystal Palace unless they had another Premier League player lined up to come in on loan. And so, despite not playing a single minute under Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Frenchman stayed.
His situation only looks like changing in the event of injuries. Certainly, van Nistelrooy’s not ruled him out, but there is a definitive pecking order, with Jamie Vardy the main man and Patson Daka his deputy.
It’s not unfathomable that one of them will pick up an injury between now and the end of the season. Edouard then needs to be ready so that van Nistelrooy trusts him enough to use him from the bench and not, say, turn to Jordan Ayew instead.
Asked after the defeat to Everton if Edouard could be an option that van Nistelrooy turned to, he said: “Of course. He’s training with us every day. We make a selection there for the games. There’s three number nines in the squad and a decision to be made.
“So far it’s been Jamie and Patson in the squad and Odsonne not. But he’s there and he can show himself every week that he’s ready to contribute. But three strikers in the squad, it’s too much.”
Conor Coady
Reports that he was especially keen on joining his old club Wolves in a proposed swap deal with Craig Dawson really won’t help Coady’s reputation with City supporters. Wanting to join a direct relegation rival will undoubtedly see his commitment questioned by fans.
He was a regular starter under van Nistelrooy until being replaced by Wout Faes for the Crystal Palace fixture. At the time, the manager said the Belgian was brought in to guard against qualities the Eagles had, but he has remained in the line-up ever since, with no starts for Coady.
Van Nistelrooy has praised Coady’s leadership qualities, and while City fans might now be doubting those, the manager may not. Such have been the problems City have had at the back, van Nistelrooy may yet need to turn to Coady again.
Caleb Okoli
Linked with a return to Italy throughout the January window, Okoli’s future was perhaps in doubt because he’s still not started under van Nistelrooy. He was given a prominent substitute outing at Everton this past weekend though, and he remains the quickest of the club’s centre-back options, meaning he’s always in with a chance of playing.
However, his performances since November, when a couple of mistakes saw Steve Cooper drop him, have not been up to scratch, and he was caught out for the fourth goal at Goodison Park. Those sorts of moments mean van Nistelrooy may have doubts over bringing him into the 11.
Kasey McAteer
City rejected a bid from Sunderland for McAteer, which was always likely without a winger to replace him, no matter how much the Black Cats offered. He will hope now that he becomes more prominent again.
While he started van Nistelrooy’s first three games in charge, since he picked up his injury, he’s not been back in the 11. While there is plenty of competition for places, he does offer something different.
Unlike Facundo Buonanotte, Jordan Ayew and Bobby De Cordova-Reid, he plays like a traditional wide-man, sticking to the touchline. That, and his off-the-ball runs, give him qualities that others don’t have.
Luke Thomas
Hoffenheim looked at Thomas but van Nistelrooy was clear in saying he wouldn’t be leaving unless somebody came in first. Having signed Woyo Coulibaly, the arrival of another full-back after that was very unlikely.
The problem for Thomas is threefold. Van Nistelrooy clearly prefers Victor Kristiansen, bringing the Dane straight back in even when Thomas had a decent game as an injury replacement at Aston Villa.
Secondly, both Coulibaly and James Justin can play on both sides. So no matter which of them start at right-back, the other is always likely to be on the bench because they offer double the cover.
Thirdly, Ricardo Pereira is back on the grass. He may not be in contention until next month, but that would then be another full-back for Thomas to compete with.
