In And Out – Two Players Leicester Need To Sell And Two Players They Should Sign
Leicester City have managed to pull off another miraculous comeback to almost seal their safety in the Premier League after having found themselves struggling in the relegation zone in the early parts of the season.
They have managed to put in a string of good results under new manager Craig Shakespeare and have just lost one game in the past 6 league encounters. As a result, they have climbed to 11th position in the standings and look set for another season in the top-flight, after the threat of relegation loomed large.
While their Premier League status is all but confirmed, they will need to do some major rebuilding in the summer, if they are to continue in the English top-flight. Several areas on the field need to reinforced with quality options, while there is some deadwood in the squad that needs to be get rid of as well. To that end, here we bring you, two players, who Leicester City should sell and two more who they should sign in the summer transfer window.
Players To Be Sold
Leonardo Ulloa
The 30-year old forward has hardly been used by either Claudio Ranieri or by Craig Shakespeare. It has been a cause of frustration for the player who came out in the media and claimed that he wants to leave the club in the summer. Ulloa this season, has made only 19 appearances across all competitions with just only one goal to show for. With Jamie Vardy, Islam Slimani and Shinji Okazaki all ahead of him in the pecking order, it does make sense for the club to get rid of the player, who is unhappy and isn’t really contributing to the team.
Ben Hamer
The 29-year old is another player who has hardly been used over the past two seasons, with Kasper Schmeichel the undisputed No.1 choice in goal. Ron-Robert Zieler’s signing last summer meant a death-knell for his career, but still he stayed with the Foxes.
This term, he has featured just once for Leicester, which was in the group stages of the Champions League against Porto, where he conceded 5 times. He has been out due to a head injury for quite a while now and is unlikely to be in the plans for the manager in the upcoming season. Leicester would do well to sell him at the end of the season and give a chance to someone younger, as a third-choice shot-stopper.
Players To Be Signed
Ben Gibson
The Middlesbrough defender has been one of the best players for his team this season and has been chased by several top sides according to reports.
Gibson hasn’t missed a single league game for Boro this season and has also chipped in with a goal from his 31 appearances in the English top division. Averaging an impressive 8 defensive actions per game, the 24-year old has been solid at the back. But what has attracted the suitors is his ability to carry the ball out from the back and his effective distribution from the deep areas.
With Wes Morgan and Robert Huth not getting any younger, injecting new young blood into the backline could be key for Leicester’s fortunes in the future.
Adama Traore
The former Barcelona winger has been impressive in his sporadic appearances for Boro this season.
The 21-year old Traore hasn’t scored a goal and has just one assist to his name so far this season from 24 league appearances, but the numbers don’t do justice to his talent. Extremely fast and an excellent dribbler of the ball, the Spaniard has the abilities to go a long way if backed consistently by the team.
With Demarai Gray linked heavily with a move away, bringing in someone like Traore will strengthen their options out in the wide areas. With Middlesbrough on the verge of relegation, a move could certainly be on the cards.
