Leicester season preview - Can Puel turn it around at the King Power?
Leicester manager Claude Puel will be under pressure to make a good start to the season after coming close to the sack at the start of the summer. Reports emerged towards the end of the last campaign claiming Leicester’s players were already fed up of the Frenchman after one season but he survived the chop and has even been backed in the transfer window. After spending more than £50m on new players this summer, Puel needs to hit the ground running to steady the ship at the King Power Stadium.
One to watch - James Maddison
After being linked with summer moves to the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool, James Maddison ended up completing a £22m move to Leicester and the 21-year-old will be tasked with filling the void left by Riyad Mahrez. Maddison was a star performer in the Championship last season, creating more goalscoring opportunities than any other player (124). Maddison netted 14 league goals in 44 appearances but the youngster isn’t expected to hit similar heights during his maiden Premier League season. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see how Maddison gets on in England’s top-flight and his pre-season performances have certainly fuelled optimism about his signing.
Best Signing - Ricardo Pereira
Similarly to Maddison, Leicester managed to get a deal over the line for another player linked with moves to top-four sides in Ricardo Pereira. The Portugal international was a transfer target for Tottenham 12 months ago but will now ply his trade for Leicester after the Foxes shelled out £17.5m for the versatile Porto full-back. Claude Puel spent one season with the 24-year-old during his loan spell at Nice and will hope to get the best from him once more. Diligent with his defending, as illustrated by the fact only two players completed more tackles than Pereira (99) in Liga NOS last season, he will also prove a massive threat going forward.
🎥🦊 Ricardo Pereira talks to LCFC TV after agreeing a transfer from Portuguese champions FC Porto to King Power Stadium.
— Leicester City (@LCFC) May 19, 2018
You can watch the full interview here 👉https://t.co/7U9peHihUi#BemVindoRicardo pic.twitter.com/FO6QZWG0qE
Area of Weakness
The arrival of Maddison was certainly a step in the right direction to replace Riyad Mahrez in central positions, but his departure has arguably left the Foxes a little short on the flanks. Mahrez’s departure should benefit Demarai Gray and Fousseni Diabate with regular playing time, but both will have to become more consistent to suitably fill the void left by the Algeria international. In fact, 53 of the 59 league goals Mahrez scored or assisted for Leicester in the last three seasons came from positions on the right and that will be a big ask of Gray, Diabate and Marc Albrighton.
Prediction / Best Bet
Given the way Leicester finished last season and the uncertainty regarding Puel’s position as manager, there will be a lot of pressure on the Frenchman to start the season well. It’s unsurprising that Puel is the frontrunner to be the first Premier League manager to lose his job for the upcoming season and odds of 7/1 with Paddypower should be considered.
