Leicester City supporters in the Transfer Tavern are very much looking forward to the 2018/19 Premier League, what with their side seeking to improve upon their ninth place finish last time round.
The Foxes made a poor start to the campaign which ultimately cost Craig Shakespeare his job, paving the way for Frenchman Claude Puel to return to the top-flight a few months on from being sacked as Southampton manager. And the 56-year-old did a fine job in moving the Midlands outfit away from the bottom three and eventually to a mid-table finish, although their form in 2018 was far from impressive given they won just five of their 18 Premier League matches.
As such, there was some pressure on the Frenchman ahead of the summer, but with a full pre-season and transfer window, there are many excited and indeed expectant Leicester fans ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.
However, they are unlikely to be overly thrilled by recent reports linking defender Harry Maguire with a £65 million move to Manchester United, what with the 25-year-old performing brilliantly for England at the World Cup.
The centre back also enjoyed a fine debut season at the King Power Stadium last time round in starting all 38 of their Premier League games, form which thus earned him a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the tournament in Russia, where Maguire excelled to help the Three Lions to the semi-finals.
And it appears that Jose Mourinho’s United are keen on the defender, interest which should prompt Leicester to consider one of these THREE lynchpins as a possible replacement for Maguire…
With Maguire potentially heading to Old Trafford, Leicester should seek to ask the question about Chris Smalling’s availability.
The Englishman missed out on selection for the World Cup this summer after what was, on the whole, a below-par season from the 28-year-old, with just 28 Premier League starts to show for his endeavours.
And while he showed some form at the rear end of the campaign, he is reportedly one man who could be let go to make room for Maguire, which is why Puel must seek to move for the ex-Fulham man this summer in a bid to compensate for the 25-year-old’s possible departure.
Swansea City lost their Premier League status last term after enduring a torrid campaign in the top-flight, yet centre back Alfie Mawson again proved his credentials in the top tier.
The 24-year-old only broke through under Paul Clement at the start of 2017 but has since become a lynchpin at the Liberty Stadium, starting all 38 of their league games last season, and earning rave reviews along the way.
The Swans’ status as a Championship club will surely help Leicester strike a deal for Mawson who, at the age of 24 having already shown what he can do, could be a set for a very bright future in the top-flight.
Without doubt one of the most impressive defenders in the Premier League last season was Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles, who played a huge part in the Magpies’ tenth place finish.
The 24-year-old appeared in 33 of their 38 Premier League matches and missed the other five only as a result of injury, with the centre back playing a key role in scoring vital goals at one end, and then making many last-ditch and telling clearances at the other.
Thus, it’s clear that Lascelles has got what it takes to succeed at Premier League level, which is why Puel’s Leicester must seek to prize him away from St James’ Park this summer.
