Guardian writers’ predicted position: 19th (NB: this is not necessarily Will Unwin’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)
Last season’s position: 1st, Championship
Prospects
The Championship was won at a canter but, as Burnley will testify, that means nothing in the top flight. It has not helped that their star man, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and manager, Enzo Maresca, have left for Chelsea, forcing them to spend the early part of the summer finding someone to lead the side. An alleged breach of profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) could lead to a points deduction, making an already difficult task to survive in the Premier League looking nigh-on treacherous.
Steve Cooper is very different to Maresca and it will be interesting to see how quickly the players adapt but the squad have quickly taken to his methods and enjoyed a positive pre-season. Whereas Maresca liked to control possession, counterattack is the way to go for Cooper.
Business has been somewhat light, with the centre-back Caleb Okoli joining from Atalanta after last season’s loan with Frosinone and Bobby De Cordova-Reid arriving on a free from Fulham. The teenage midfielder Michael Golding has come from Chelsea and winger Abdul Fatawu made his loan from Sporting permanent but it has been quiet for a side who need to step up a level, although the financial issues explain that. The De Cordova-Reid signing is an indication of what Cooper wants because he likes having experienced Premier League players.
Conor Coady will play a more prominent role than he did under Maresca because he knows what a relegation battle at this level is all about. Although Dewsbury-Hall has departed there is an abundance of quality from Leicester’s most recent campaign at this level, and Harry Winks has the mentality and technical ability to thrive. Jamie Vardy has stayed but whether the 37-year-old’s knowhow is still capable of accruing the goals to keep Leicester up is debatable.
The manager
Maresca, who secured a Premier League return at the first time of asking, has headed south to become Chelsea’s head coach. It looked as if Graham Potter would swoop in but Cooper got the job. He is no stranger to the East Midlands, having brought Forest up and kept them in the Premier League while surrounded by chaos, making him a sensible candidate for Leicester with their PSR charge. Cooper bided his time after leaving the City Ground, waiting for the right opportunity and was unwilling to drop down divisions. He is a smart operator and good at understanding a club, helping build a rapport with fans, but also knows how to be ruthless when required.
Off-field picture
A PSR verdict is looming after March’s charge and considering Leicester are likely to face a relegation battle, losing points because of financial matters would be a blow. The departure of Dewsbury-Hall has alleviated future problems somewhat but losing arguably your best player, who has come through the academy, rarely curries favour. Supporters are also irked by ticket price increases, and the requirement to pay £25 for a season card to enter matches, if they choose not to use a digital ticket, has brought the ire of fans. There was also upset that the club were charging fans to stream a friendly against Shrewsbury. The hierarchy must be hoping performances will get everyone on side again.
Breakout star
Cooper has a reputation for improving young players thanks to his background in youth development at Liverpool and with England. Fatawu spent last season on loan at Leicester and the club have made the deal permanent. The showman, who likes to somersault after scoring, made 43 appearances, scoring seven times, including a hat-trick against fellow promoted side Southampton. A dynamic winger, Fatawu can dribble, knows the runs of the strikers and likes to cut in from the right to shoot. Aged 20, he has already garnered 19 Ghana caps and playing in the Premier League can only help his progression. Amid a quiet recruitment process, his ability could be crucial.
The A-lister
Without Dewsbury-Hall there will be greater emphasis on what Winks can provide in central midfield. The former England international dropped down a division just over a year ago as he looked to rebuild his reputation after a season in Serie A with Sampdoria. When Leicester were dominating possession in the Championship, he was in his element but he will need to pick up the pace to thrive in the Premier League again. He has the quality to do it but his lack of pace held him back at Tottenham and he will be eager to prove a few in the top flight wrong. If Cooper can keep Winks’s confidence high, the 28-year-old could be ideal in transitions when Leicester look to counter.
What they did this summer
Coady has been to the past two major tournaments. He was in the England squad for the 2022 Qatar World Cup and spent this summer in Germany, although with a very different role as a pundit for the BBC. Coady is forging an impressive career in the media and has become a regular on the radio and television as a co-commentator and analyst. Before that he joined his teammates on a three-day poolside holiday courtesy of the chairman, Aiyawatt “Top” Srivaddhanaprabha, to celebrate their top-flight return as the party carried on after the club had an open-top bus parade through the city on the Sunday after the final match.
