They defied the odds last time round but has Claudio Ranieri strengthened his side in the right areas?
After an incredible season last term when Claudio Ranieri’s men were crowned as league champions for the very first time, the question on everyone’s lips was whether they could retain the players that achieved the impossible, as well improving the squad further.
The biggest test for The Foxes will be if they can handle the demands of Champions League football. Ranieri was very consistent with his selection last term and rode his luck that none of his major stars did not pick up major injuries.
Here is a look at the East Midlands club’s transfer business this summer.
In
Islam Slimani – Sporting Lisbon (~£28 million)
Bartosz Kapustka – Cracovia (£7.5m)
Ahmed Musa – CSKA (~£16m)
Nampalys Mendy – Nice (~£13m)
Luis Hernandez – Gijon (Free)
Ron-Robert Zieler – Hannover (Undisclosed fee)
Raul Uche – Rayo Vallecano (Undisclosed fee)
It will no doubt be a squad game for Leicester this season with Champions League duties, so to recruit the likes of Bartosz Kapustka, Ahmed Musa, Nampalys Mendy and Luis Hernandez will add some much-needed back-up.
The club were quick to replace one of their key stars players of last season, N’Golo Kante, with Mendy after the former left for Chelsea, and the new arrival has shown similar qualities in regaining possession.
Musa has shown in games against Hull City and Arsenal he has the ability to be a problem for Premier League defences with his pace and power.
When Kante left for Chelsea, many thought it would be the start of an exodus of key players. However, the Foxes have done remarkably well to hold onto their prized assets, with Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez committing their futures to the club by signing long-term contracts as well as Danny Drinkwater, Kasper Schmeichel and Marc Albrighton.
Meanwhile, the signing of Slimani is a fantastic piece of business. The Algerian forward scored 27 goals in 33 appearances for Sporting Lisbon last season, and will certainly add competition to the forward line and compete with Vardy and Musa.
The 28 year-old will also come into the club with Champions League experience, something that so very few of the current squad have.
If there is one negative point it would be that, aside from the highly-rated Slimani from the Portuguese league, they haven’t been able to lure a major, blockbuster name to the King Power stadium.
However, with the signings made and the fact they have been able to keep a large majority of their title-winning squad, they should be able to succeed in their difficult follow-up season and compete for a top-seven finish.
Grade: A-
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