Five former players Leicester City should consider re-signing this summer

Follow us on Google Discover

With no European football to their name next season, Leicester City will be targeting yet another assault on the Premier League’s top six places.

The 2015-16 league champions finished eighth last season under Brendan Rodgers, four points off the European qualification places.

The 2021 FA Cup winners will be hoping for greater consistency next season, but the King Power Stadium side are yet to make any summer signings during the transfer window.

But with the likelihood of Youri Tielemans, who has a year left on his contract, bringing an end to his three-year stay with the Foxes a strong possibility, Rodgers will be keen to bolster his squad with or without the influential Belgian.

Leicester have become accustomed to losing some of their biggest stars in recent years following their rise to prominence in East Midlands.

But instead of nurturing new stars could Leicester try and lure some of their former favourites back to the club this summer.

With that in mind, HITC Sport takes a look at five former players Leicester City should consider re-signing.

Former players Leicester should re-sign

Demarai Gray

The former Birmingham City didn’t set the world alight during his five-year spell with the Foxes and he has continued to struggle to add consistency to his game.

But the 26-year-old showcased last season that he remains capable of conjuring up moments of magic.

Gray started last season with three goals from his opening four games of the campaign, but he only went on to score a further two league goals.

There’s clearly a player in there and while he wouldn’t be an automatic starter, which he wasn’t during his first stint with the club, Gray could be available this summer given Everton’s well-documented financial struggles.

Jeffrey Schlupp

The Ghanaian moved to Crystal Palace five-and-a-half years ago but he will remain in Leicester folklore forever following his role in the Foxes’ incredible title win in 2016.

At the age of 29, the versatile midfielder who can also play out wide or at left-back remains a bundle of energy whose tenacious work in and out of possession would be an asset to any side.

Schlupp remains a key part of Patrick Vieira’s Eagles, but the emotional pull he has with the Foxes could prompt a rethink if Leicester enquired about a potential return.

Andrej Kramaric

The Foxes are going to have to deal without legendary striker Jamie Vardy eventually and although the former England international shows no signs of slowing down just yet, a former Leicester striker has continued to score goals at a similar rate to his former formidable striker partner.

Since joining Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim, the Croatia international has scored 103 goals and provided 47 assists from 219 matches, averaging well over a goal involvement in every other match.

The 31-year-old only mustered up four goals from 20 appearances for the Foxes, but if Leicester do want to replace Vardy with ready made experience and goalscoring prowess when the time comes – the club could do a lot worse than bringing back the seemingly prolific 71-time Croatia international.

Harry Maguire

Hear us out! We’re not expecting Leicester to fork out the £80m they received from Manchester United to re-sign the former Hull City ace.

But with question marks surrounding Maguire’s captaincy at Old Trafford and Erik ten Hag keen to reunite with Ajax centre-back Lisandro Martinez, the 29-year-old could rapidly find himself on the fringes at the Theatre of Dreams.

Although Gareth Southgate remains committed to United’s number five, with the World Cup on the horizon – Maguire cannot afford to be on the sidelines under his new club boss.

But if he does, maybe a loan switch back to where he rose to prominence and showcased his best form could prove to be the best move for all parties.

Jesse Lingard

Lingard is a free agent following his release from Manchester United and with the attacking midfielder carefully analysing which club to join with the World Cup on the horizon, the Foxes should be throwing themselves into the race.

James Maddison is Rodgers’ chief creator, but Lingard showed during the 2020-21 campaign while on loan at West Ham the qualities he brings.

The 29-year-old scored nine goals and provided five assists from 16 Premier League games with the Hammers. There is no reason why Lingard couldn’t play with Maddison, drifting off the flanks and forming a formidable four with the former Norwich City man, Vardy and Harvey Barnes.

Lingard played five games for Leicester during the 2012-13 campaign while on loan from United.