So Who's off this Summer?

comment by See The Stars (U21395)
posted 1 hour, 42 minutes ago
Rumours are Vardy is off to America after this season.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I think that will depend on whether Mrs Vardy wins or loses her case, lose and the pressure will be immense from her to run off earlier than anticipated to America to hide her blushes.

comment by old warwick fox (U11640)
posted 14 hours, 28 minutes ago
I suspect Kasper just might go if the right team comes for him. We’re supposed to be after Sanchez but he’s going to be expensive. Can’t see it happening; Ward and Iversen would do for me...........................

Nuneaton Fox: For me the jury is out on Ward, he needs to be given an extensive run in the side to see if he can cut it. He certainly has the attributes to transform us defensively because from what I have seen so far he has a propensity to actually venture off his line on a regular basis. Whether that's to the betterment or detriment of our defence remains to be seen.

If I'm not convinced that Ward is the answer I'll double up with my queries on Iversen. I understand he has had good reviews from his time at PNE, but he's no spring chicken at 24. Why at that age if he's so good he is not even second choice for us? Is he just a very good Championship level player?

OWF: Ndidi - a possible. There’s a few that will want him and he would command a big fee................

NF: I agree in principle but expect he won't go because he's had a bad knee injury so there's a huge question on his fitness going forward - I don't expect anybody to offer the big bucks it would likely take to prise him away until he's proven himself again on the pitch. Given the way he normally operates I'd say that potential suitors would consider this critical to make sure he's still going to be effective in his aggressive destroyer role.

OWF: Really can’t see Maddison going and I fully expect Vardy to get a contract extension.................

NF: I have to disagree on Maddison. I hope he stays, but as our best player this season by a country mile, I can see a 'big' team coming in for him. He will no doubt be ambitious and want to play in a team which has competition in Europe, also ripe for a move at 25.

I've slightly changed my view in recent days on Vardy leaving, his status as the best player to ever play for Leicester is reasonably firmly cemented so him departing is unlikely to change that (statue anyone?). I maintain that I don't see him going from a footballing perspective, I think that he still has much to offer and I can see short contract extensions coming while this is the case. What may have changed in recent days is his personal circumstances in the UK may have become much worse as the Wagatha trial doesn't seem seem to have gone well for Rebekah Vardy. Time will tell of course - we will perhaps know more when the verdict is announced - but maybe a footballing move to (say) America may be looking attractive?

On that last point - as TB indicates.

Nuneaton:
Good points. As regards Vardy, he has been quoted as saying he wants to finish his career at Leicester. I think it will take more than a Wagatha disaster (and it’s already that) to change his mind. The verdict might be interesting: although there may be a strong suspicion that Mrs V may be the source of the leak, I doubt Mrs R has been able to prove it. If so, even then, I don’t expect a huge amount of compensation from the judge. Money down the drain.

Re Ward, he hasn’t had the opportunity to show how good he might be; good enough to claim the Welsh number one spot but that’s not saying a lot.

Although Iversen is 24, that’s young for a goalkeeper.

Those I am happy to leave, or at least wouldn't mind too much:

Vestergaard
Praett
Albrighton
Lookman
Choudhury
Bertrand
Ward
Jakupovic

Those I think might leave because of tempting offers (either to the player or the club):

Tielemans
Maddison
Kasper
Soyuncu
Iheanacho
Ndidi
Barnes

Schmeichel: Not sure. If a European club comes in with offer of Champions League football, the temptation may be too strong. Can't see him moving domestically.
Ward: Probably stay, but probably should move for his own career.
Iversen: May depend on what Schmeichel does. Will need careful managing otherwise because I sense he's getting fed up waiting.

Ricardo: Stay; just signed a new contract.
Castagne: Probably stay; has seen his involvement increase.
Justin: Stay.
Thomas: Stay, but questions have popped back up over his development.
Bertrand: Leave if possible.

Evans: Stay, and showing interest in adding to his contract.
Fofana: Stay, presumably. Unless a massive offer comes in. Which isn't impossible.
Soyuncu: Leave. A deal we need to do.
Amartey: Not sure. Out of contract as I understand it, so it depends how much football he wants. Leicester would likely be happy for him to stay but couldn't promise him a lot of football.
Vestergaard: Leave if possible, although I expect we're stuck with him.

Ndidi: Stay. Too many questions over his fitness for any significant offer to come in.
Tielemans: Leave. Might have to put up with Europa League football if he wants to stay in this country, however.
Mendy: Not sure. If he's out of contract then leave. Never had the physicality needed to be more than a backup. If he's still in contract, we might need the bodies given the likely exodus in the rest of the midfield.
Choudhury: Leave, if possible. Although he may not even find a Championship club that wants him. Not nearly good enough for this league.
Soumare: Leave, if possible. There's always a chance that someone might come good (e.g. Vardy) but he looks so far off the pace that I'd be angry to play alongside him professionally.
Praet: Leave. I don't think Rodgers rates him for this league, and he very rarely completed 90 minutes here.
KDH: Stay.

Albrighton: Stay. As backup, yes, but he's a good influence and just what you want from backup.
Barnes: Stay.
Maddison: Stay, although have one eye on contract discussions.
Perez: Leave, presumably. But would be open to him staying if he wanted to and we don't get a decent offer.
Lookman: Sign, but only if we can negotiate the right fee. If we're to be held to ransom, I'd abandon this deal.

Iheanacho: Not sure. Might leave us a little short of options. Difficult to tell whether he'd want to move on or not, because I can't see him playing next season more than he has this.
Daka: Stay. Has struggled as the season has progressed, but hopefully he'll have learned from his first season experience.
Vardy: Stay. I think the rumours of going to America are overblown, at least this summer. Rebekah's quoted as saying that her eldest was in tears at it being reported in the press and they had to reassure her it wasn't true. He may even sign a contract extension, but that's for him to decide and I expect he'll want the fallout from the court case to die down a bit before making any decisions.


So for me, the main targets this summer are a CB, at least one CM and an attacking midfielder/RW. CM is probably the priority if we lose all the players I expect us to lose. And an attacking mid/winger of some sort. Amartey might have just about proven himself good enough to be a backup for Evans and Fofana, particularly in a season with no European football. Although there will be Leicester fans who won't like that.

Interesting and detailed assessment, nothing much to disagree with there Dunge.

Lookman. I think I saw a figure of £14M being quoted for him - so do you reckon he's worth it at that?

Amartey. I'd like to see us keep him, he's proved an effective backup at centreback, he can also fill in at right back and (apparently) DM.

Thoughtful, as ever Dunge and well reasoned. Nothing to argue with there. Lookman is a bit of a conundrum. I have previously said that we shouldn’t entertain a permanent move for him, but then he improves, shows promise, but not for long. I don’t think he’s worth blowing £14m on, so I’m with you there Nuneaton.

Trust Perez to put a big question mark into the equation by scoring two reportedly excellent goals on Sunday. In fairness to him, when he has played, he’s been asked to be a right winger, which clearly doesn’t suit him. It would have been interesting to have seen him play as part of a front two with Vardy.

This is the issue for me with Lookman: Do you want to pay £14m for a squad player? He'll get games but he doesn't improve the starting 11.

I'd want more of a bargain, so half that at max and realistically hoping for something more around £5m given that he's not wanted at his host club.

The good thing would be that he's shown he can play and can integrate with the team. He's a useful option as a sub and occasional player. But yeah, I'd want something far closer resembling a bargain given that there's little asset value to be gained.

comment by old warwick fox (U11640)
posted 15 hours, 36 minutes ago
Thoughtful, as ever Dunge and well reasoned. Nothing to argue with there. Lookman is a bit of a conundrum. I have previously said that we shouldn’t entertain a permanent move for him, but then he improves, shows promise, but not for long. I don’t think he’s worth blowing £14m on, so I’m with you there Nuneaton.

Trust Perez to put a big question mark into the equation by scoring two reportedly excellent goals on Sunday. In fairness to him, when he has played, he’s been asked to be a right winger, which clearly doesn’t suit him. It would have been interesting to have seen him play as part of a front two with Vardy.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
When Lookman plays he nearly always gets put on the right by Bodgers but nearly always scores when he does get the chance on the left.

No point buying him if Rodgers stays to be honest, just frustrating for everyone.