Yahoo News Leicester City notebook: Maresca's contract hint, next-gen shines, transfer alternative emerges
There are six senior out-of-contract players at Leicester City and it could be a month or so before the definitive word on their futures arrives.
With the club under a transfer embargo and needing special permission from the EFL to sign current players to new deals, it may be that they wait until next month to announce their decisions. By then, City will be under the governance of the Premier League and it’s not expected the embargo will carry over.
In any case, there have been plenty of clues as to what comes next for those whose deals expire at the end of June. For Marc Albrighton, Saturday’s game felt like a farewell and he said he’s “more or less sure” it was his final outing. Dennis Praet has said he’s leaving for “something new”. Kelechi Iheanacho’s final-day t-shirt suggested he’s off too.
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For Jamie Vardy, it would be a surprise at this point if he didn’t get a new deal. Enzo Maresca has hinted that one is coming and talks have been held. Jannik Vestergaard has been such a key player this season that it feels like a new contract for the Dane is now more likely than not.
But what about Wilfred Ndidi? He’s been an important player for City this season as the most regular starter alongside Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the attacking midfield slots. But despite his adaptation to the more advanced role, he still doesn’t feel like a natural, and there will be question marks over whether he starts there in the Premier League.
However, Maresca dropped a hint on Saturday that he believes Ndidi will still be at the club next season. Or at least that he hopes Ndidi will be sticking around.
Maresca made a tweak to his defence for the game against Blackburn. Whether it’s been Ricardo Pereira or Hamza Choudhury in the hybrid role, for all of the season up to Saturday’s game, they progressed into midfield from right-back or left-back. However, against Blackburn, Choudhury was stationed at centre-back without the ball, and alongside Harry Winks when City were in possession.
This had the biggest impact on James Justin, who would usually be on the opposite of the defence to the hybrid player, and who would shuffle in to create a back three when they moved into midfield. This time, he started at right-back, and often stayed at right-back when City had the ball, allowing him to stretch his legs a little more and play as he did under Brendan Rodgers.
It didn’t always work and fans weren’t quite treated to the Justin of old, but this was the first time experimenting. It was never going to be perfect straight off the bat.
So where does Ndidi fit in? Well, Maresca indicated that if City were to stick with this tweak in the Premier League, the Nigerian could be one of the players who operates as Choudhury did, suggesting he’s planning to have him still at the King Power Stadium next season.
“I’m thinking already about the future,” Maresca said on the tweak to the defence. “It’s good to start to think how we could improve next season. Hamza could be an option there, Wout (Faes) could be an option, Wilf could also be an option to do that kind of job.”
Stars of tomorrow win silverware
As if Saturday’s trophy wasn’t enough, City made it a winning long weekend as their Under-16s beat Manchester City to win the Premier League Cup on Bank Holiday Monday. For the 1,500 fans there, it was a glimpse of the stars of tomorrow.
There was plenty to be excited by. Given Man City’s recent success in producing world-class players through their academy like Phil Foden and Cole Palmer, beating them at any age group is impressive. And Leicester’s 2-1 extra-time win wasn’t a smash-and-grab. They had the better share of chances across the game.
So who stood out? Jake Evans, scorer of both goals, was perhaps the pick of the bunch. His ball control, strength under pressure, dribbling ability, and threat in the final third marked him out as one to watch. Starting as an inverted right-sided winger before moving up front, Evans had the finishing touch too, slotting home the penalty for the first then rifling in the second off the crossbar to win it with five minutes to go in extra-time. It’s no surprise he’s already represented England at youth level.
Jeremy Monga, on the left wing, was just as good in his close control and ball-carrying, and it was his quick feet that earned City’s penalty. Others to catch the eye include Will Lawrence in deep midfield, a Declan Rice type with a good range of passing, composure, and could put in a tough tackle. William Daniels had plenty of energy in getting forward from left-back and delivering some dangerous crosses into the box, while attacking midfielder Luqman Aideed did excellently for the winning goal, pinching possession and bringing the ball forward before feeding Evans.
But what also stood out was the commitment to the cause. Players were putting in recovery runs to cover for team-mates when they ventured forwards, while there was plenty of bravery in winning headers and making blocks.
It should be a day they remember for some time, especially with such a big crowd at the King Power. Pleasingly, there were a few of the Under-21 lads there to cheer them on as well.
Here's the full squad so you can keep tabs on these youngsters' developments. The starting 11 were Freddie Marson, Harry Sutherington, Alpha Diallo, Maxwell Adedeji, William Daniels, Will Lawrence, Louis Page, Jake Evans, Luqman Aideed, Jeremy Monga, Lorenz Hutchinson. The substitutes were Leo Stretton, Harry Jacklin, Michael Toko, Hugo De Lisle, Bismark Owusu.
Irish Under-21 international could be Doyle replacement
How much business City can do this summer remains a bit of a mystery. It’s clear Maresca wants signings, but given the need to be careful amid previous charges over alleged financial rules breaches, they may not be able to bring in too many new players.
It feels like they will need at least one left-footed defender though. Callum Doyle’s loan has finished, and for the balance of the defence, an alternative may be required.
Bringing Doyle back, unless it’s another loan, feels unlikely. For a start, he may be in Man City’s first-team squad. Secondly, if they’re willing to sell, he could be pricey.
So other options need to be looked at and City have already been linked with a left-footed defender who can play at left-back and at centre-back. That’s exactly what City will go for.
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo have attributed City with interest in 21-year-old half-Sevillan, half-Irish defender Anselmo Garcia MacNulty. He plays his club football for PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie, while he’s captained the Republic of Ireland’s Under-21s recently too.
At his age, and with his experience, he could be worth a look for City, and it would be doubtful that he would cost as much as a signing from a fellow Premier League club would. As well as City, Leeds, Southampton, Real Betis, and Club Brugge have reportedly been keeping tabs on Garcia MacNulty.
