Kramaric departure signals strikers on the horizon for Leicester

As the Foxes’ key striker, Jamie Vardy, got married, another striker, our record signing, agreed a permanent deal elsewhere. Barely a year and a half after joining Leicester, Andrej Kramaric today signed a permanent deal with Bundesliga side, Hoffenheim. It ends a year of discontent for the Croatian and signals that a new signing is close for the Foxes.

To say that things didn’t work out for Kramaric is an understatement. A record signing, costing £9.7 million, he was meant to be the starting point in a bid to score more goals. The Nigel Pearson managed side that he joined had struggled for goals, just nineteen in twenty games prior to his signing. Leicester’s goals did pick up somewhat in the second half of the season, particularly during our great escape. Kramaric’s contribution was limited to just two league goals though, including a rather lovely strike away at Arsenal in a 2-1 defeat. The goals that saved us came from the rest of the squad instead, Vardy chipping in with more than his share too and making a stand to be the Foxes best striker.

I can’t say that I’m not sad about Kramaric’s departure. I’m certain we never saw his true potential. We saw glimpses of it, but they were fleeting. Whether or not Leicester’s system under Pearson suited him is debatable. He didn’t play his preferred position and did walk into a side who had, for the most part, struggled with goals and creativity. No sooner than six months after he joined us, his role in the squad was up in the air with Pearson’s departure and the appointment of Claudio Ranieri. Something wasn’t quite right and for whatever reason, Kramaric was not in the Italian’s plans. It’s difficult to question why, particularly with the success and over-achievement that Ranieri has delivered. His selection choices have been almost spot on for every game and there was simply no place for the Croatian between Vardy, summer signing Shinji Okazaki and last season’s top scorer, Leonardo Ulloa.

With the introduction of any new manager, some players can always expect to find themselves out of the picture and it was quickly clear that this was to be the case for the Croatian. His chances were limited, admittedly, but he squandered the few he was given. If you were to try and pinpoint the exact moment you felt he’d never play for us again it would likely be the League Cup performance against Hull. He hadn’t impressed in the previous round against League One opposition, Bury, and really needed to prove a point. He came nowhere close and was cited as one of the biggest disappointments in a game we lost in a penalty shoot-out. He never put on another Leicester kit that season and come January, was unsurprisingly loaned out to another club. It was a little surprising to see him back to join in with the celebrations at the Champions parade but a testament to see how close the squad are overall.

The whole situation has a touch of Ade Akinbiyi about it. At £5.3 million, Akinbiyi was the then record signing. He was our big hope, the mythical hope for a ‘20 goal a season’ man. Naturally, things didn’t pan out like that for him. Out of his depth fairly early on, he never lacked effort, but never looked likely to succeed either. Perhaps he was a victim of the less than impressive days of 2001/02, where he quickly became the scapegoat. While Kramaric didn’t suffer quite as badly as Akinbiyi, a man who struggled to stay onside, he doesn’t leave Leicester with many highlights to share either. I only hope that his career trajectory takes an entirely different path upon leaving us than our former record signing because I genuinely believed in his potential.

While the sale of Kramaric is the best outcome for both parties, the Bundesliga side offering the Foxes cash and the striker, first team football, it’s a little disappointing. He was touted so highly and we expected so much. Considering what he cost the club, it’s difficult to imagine us letting him go so easily unless another forward was on the verge of signing. Will any such signing also signal the end of Kramaric’s only Leicester record? Almost certainly. The strikers we are being heavily linked to will all certainly cost more than £9.7 million. Our owners declared that we shouldn’t expect wholesale changes, but that there would be three or four key signings.

If you were to look at the Leicester squad on paper, the strikers list is likely the shortest and weakest area. Opinion remains divided among Leicester fans about Ulloa. While I am a fan, played in the right formation, I can’t deny that if Vardy is injured or suspended, we look vulnerable up front. With a busier fixture calendar next year and even tougher opponents to boot in the Champions League, we need somebody to challenge our existing strikers. Be that somebody to partner with Vardy, or somebody who can pose a similar threat should we have to play without him.

Rumours are circulating heavily again that the a Foxes are on the brink of securing the signature of CSKA Moscow striker, Ahmed Musa. We tried to sign him back in January, allegedly for anywhere between £18 and £20 million pounds. When the January transfer window closed though, the Foxes had less strikers than when it opened, what with Kramaric’s loan departure. It didn’t please everybody. Many felt that were jeopardising potential success by not bolstering in this department. While it didn’t cost us, it’s the area of concern. Musa is a young Nigerian forward who netted thirteen goals in twenty-nine league games last season for CSKA. From what I’ve seen, it looks like he could rival Vardy for speed and turn and would likely link up with him very well. There is an argument that we could do with somebody similar to Vardy, should he ever be indisposed.

Who else could Leicester turn their focus, and money, toward? Oddly I only highlighted one striker when asked to consider five players that we should sign: Troy Deeney. My opinion hasn’t changed either. I truly believe that a Deeney and Vardy partnership would be a terrifying prospect to have to defend against. Yes, both are unproven at the highest level, but the talent and work rate is there. Whether or not Deeney’s price tag would be too large, or he’d even want to join the Foxes isn’t certain, but he’d certainly provide an extra option that I can most of our strikers being able to work with.

As discussed previously, personnel is vital for Leicester’s recruitment strategy. Not only does any striker coming into this side need to be able to work with, and for, Vardy, but they also need to have the right attitude and personality to blend with a tight-knit squad. Vardy is clearly Leicester’s number one and any signings will likely pair with him, but with the England striker set for match time in the Euros, injuries are an equal concern and any striker who is bought has to be prepared to be called upon.

I was unsure how quickly to expect any business from Leicester this summer, what with many players away already with their respective international teams and others just trying to enjoy a break. It seems that we’re keen to get the players we’ve earmarked though. I’d be surprised if Steve Walsh and his scouting team don’t produce another surprise signing this summer to sit alongside the likes of N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez. Equal attention must be turned to keeping such players too, not just focusing on adding to our squad.