Next Leicester Striker

[Sol thewall Bamba]

We won't sign anyone.

[Ric Flair]

Just now, Sol thewall Bamba said:

We won't sign anyone.

Whilst Rudkin, Glover and the like are still here I'd prefer minimal incomings anyway as we are an utter disaster with this combination. It's equally unrealistic though that we get the 7-8 out needed to maybe just get 1-2 in on loan let's say. Rudkin has never managed that level of activity.

[LestaLad]

21 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Whilst Rudkin, Glover and the like are still here I'd prefer minimal incomings anyway as we are an utter disaster with this combination. It's equally unrealistic though that we get the 7-8 out needed to maybe just get 1-2 in on loan let's say. Rudkin has never managed that level of activity.

Ridiculous though that we would rather lose a lot of them for free next season, as opposed to taking a lesser fee now. 

[dmayne7]

56 minutes ago, LestaLad said:

Ridiculous though that we would rather lose a lot of them for free next season, as opposed to taking a lesser fee now. 

Not withstanding our own incompetence, this is probably the most backwards aspect of PSR in that you are often better off running down a player's contract than selling them at a loss/substantial loss as the contract goes on.

 

Really promotes health financial practice that does.

[slymunn]

59 minutes ago, LestaLad said:

Ridiculous though that we would rather lose a lot of them for free next season, as opposed to taking a lesser fee now. 

Unfortunately losing them for nothing works out better than selling for less than 'book value' 

 

The joys of PSR.

[Bablemikey]

The whole PSR thing has/ is having a very negative effect on football overall. I'd love to see a thorough investigation carried out and some analysis of the positives vs negatives. I mean, how many clubs do they believe have actually been saved by these regulations? Can we balance that against the necessity of selling of home grown talent, and restriction of competition for e.g.?

I believe that spending restrictions of some kind are necessary, but the current regulations seem to cause more harm than good.

[lanefox]

15 minutes ago, Bablemikey said:

The whole PSR thing has/ is having a very negative effect on football overall. I'd love to see a thorough investigation carried out and some analysis of the positives vs negatives. I mean, how many clubs do they believe have actually been saved by these regulations? Can we balance that against the necessity of selling of home grown talent, and restriction of competition for e.g.?

I believe that spending restrictions of some kind are necessary, but the current regulations seem to cause more harm than good.

Someone will probably tell me I'm wrong but I think the solution to whole PSR bollocks is if leagues brought in a salary cap like the American sports

[Glorious Leicester Fan]

6 minutes ago, lanefox said:

Someone will probably tell me I'm wrong but I think the solution to whole PSR bollocks is if leagues brought in a salary cap like the American sports

The reason salary caps work in America is because the sports are basically unique to America, hence no real competition. If UK had a salary cap, then players would simply move to other European/Saudi leagues. 

[Bluearmyfox28]

2 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

Whilst Rudkin, Glover and the like are still here I'd prefer minimal incomings anyway as we are an utter disaster with this combination. It's equally unrealistic though that we get the 7-8 out needed to maybe just get 1-2 in on loan let's say. Rudkin has never managed that level of activity.

I think the only area that actually needs more bodies is centre mid for me. Soumare is shite and as much as I like Page we can’t depend on him to play an important role all season.

 

2x signings needed there for me.

[Greg2607]

5 minutes ago, Bluearmyfox28 said:

I think the only area that actually needs more bodies is centre mid for me. Soumare is shite and as much as I like Page we can’t depend on him to play an important role all season.

 

2x signings needed there for me.

Skipp, Winks, Ricardo, Choudhary, Page, Soumare, Ndidi

 

Also depending on the system

 

Alves, Monga, Bilal....

 

we also potentially have Braybrook and Golding in the Youth Ranks... 

 

And you want two more??!?!?!?!?!

 

until the offload a few, no one else is coming in for our Midfield slots surely..... 

Edited 28 July 2025 by Greg2607

[les-tah]

39 minutes ago, Greg2607 said:

Skipp, Winks, Ricardo, Choudhary, Page, Soumare, Ndidi

 

Also depending on the system

 

Alves, Monga, Bilal....

 

we also potentially have Braybrook and Golding in the Youth Ranks... 

 

And you want two more??!?!?!?!?!

 

until the offload a few, no one else is coming in for our Midfield slots surely..... 

i think ndidi goes and soumare at least on loan or just break even on psr for him ……..

 

but i dont think we still buy anyone with how packed out we are thats why we we need to take advantage of a free transfer or loan market as the balance is not there for championship still - none of them will do what KDH did for us.

Edited 28 July 2025 by les-tah

[Greg2607]

2 minutes ago, les-tah said:

i think ndidi goes and soumare at least on loan or just break even on psr for him ……..

 

but i dont think we still buy anyone with how packed out we are thats why we we need to take advantage of a free transfer or loan market as the balance is not there for championship still - none of them will do what KDH did for us.

this feels like "hope" rather than any concrete links anywhere. 

 

The only player with any seeming outgoing interest at this point is Bilal. 

 

I guess we will wait and see, but i'd be amazed if we signed 2 central midfielders. 

[Bordersfox]

2 hours ago, LestaLad said:

Ridiculous though that we would rather lose a lot of them for free next season, as opposed to taking a lesser fee now. 

We should have been looking to get rid of those players much earlier, even at small losses.  Now they will just sit out the final year knowing they'll get a nice fat sign on fee next season wherever they go.

 

Obviously much of the damage was done years ago when we signed this crap on silly wages.  But the fact we keep making the same mistakes time and again is absolutely horrendous.  

 

You can just see Bilal and Hermanson leaving whilst we don't shift anyone in the last year of their contract or who is surplus to requirements. Even for small fees.  

[Bluearmyfox28]

1 hour ago, Greg2607 said:

Skipp, Winks, Ricardo, Choudhary, Page, Soumare, Ndidi

 

Also depending on the system

 

Alves, Monga, Bilal....

 

we also potentially have Braybrook and Golding in the Youth Ranks... 

 

And you want two more??!?!?!?!?!

 

until the offload a few, no one else is coming in for our Midfield slots surely..... 

Ricardo is a right back for me, his body wouldn’t be able to hack the demand of playing in the middle.
 

Choudhury again is being used as a right back, nor do I think he can play the pivot role or has the creativity to be box to box. 

Page is a good depth option at this point of his development. 
 

Soumare needs to go at all costs. Wilf will be gone with that release clause. 
 

Alves and Monga I don’t understand your argument for if I’m being honest. 
 

Golding and Braybrooke aren’t ready.

 

Yes we need to offload Soumare but that leaves Skipp, Winks and Page. Ultimately we need two players in each role that fits Marti’s system. We are going to play close to 60 games this year we can’t depend on players like Page. He’ll get several opportunities throughout the year and that’s a success.

 

[Bordersfox]

8 minutes ago, Bluearmyfox28 said:

Ricardo is a right back for me, his body wouldn’t be able to hack the demand of playing in the middle.
 

Choudhury again is being used as a right back, nor do I think he can play the pivot role or has the creativity to be box to box. 

Page is a good depth option at this point of his development. 
 

Soumare needs to go at all costs. Wilf will be gone with that release clause. 
 

Alves and Monga I don’t understand your argument for if I’m being honest. 
 

Golding and Braybrooke aren’t ready.

 

Yes we need to offload Soumare but that leaves Skipp, Winks and Page. Ultimately we need two players in each role that fits Marti’s system. We are going to play close to 60 games this year we can’t depend on players like Page. He’ll get several opportunities throughout the year and that’s a success.

 

Actually I think one of the main reasons Riccy stayed fit in the championship is he played an inverted role under Maresca, spending more time in the middle than a trad RB.  

 

The issue I see for Riccy with Cifuentes style is the fullbacks push very high and centrally at times and then need to cover a lot of ground.  He absolutely has the creativity and skill for that role, but does he have the fitness?     

 

If we could move him on I would but very unlikely given his injury record and wages.  Hopefully he proves me wrong and stays fit because technically he's about as good as we've got.  

[slymunn]

12 minutes ago, Bluearmyfox28 said:

Ricardo is a right back for me, his body wouldn’t be able to hack the demand of playing in the middle.

 

The only full season he's played in the last 4 or 5 seasons is when he played RB/Mid. Its as a traditional full back he had more injury issues.

[Bluearmyfox28]

8 minutes ago, Bordersfox said:

Actually I think one of the main reasons Riccy stayed fit in the championship is he played an inverted role under Maresca, spending more time in the middle than a trad RB.  

 

The issue I see for Riccy with Cifuentes style is the fullbacks push very high and centrally at times and then need to cover a lot of ground.  He absolutely has the creativity and skill for that role, but does he have the fitness?     

 

If we could move him on I would but very unlikely given his injury record and wages.  Hopefully he proves me wrong and stays fit because technically he's about as good as we've got.  

I agree but for different reasons, I think the reason Ricky benefited from the inverted wing back role and staying fit was because it allowed him time in open space as he was hard to mark and didn’t have to cover as much space. Often by the time Ricky received the ball he played a 1-2 with winks and didn’t get hit from the player closing down. 
 

Where as if he played in the winks role he would be getting hit a lot more and would have to cover more space to create the space to be able to play. Ricky would not have the time or space that he benefitted from in the inverted role when playing in the pivot.
 

I think Ricky is perfect for Cifuentes but I do fear his body will struggle to hack that demand.

[slymunn]

4 minutes ago, Bluearmyfox28 said:

I agree but for different reasons, I think the reason Ricky benefited from the inverted wing back role and staying fit was because it allowed him time in open space as he was hard to mark and didn’t have to cover as much space. Often by the time Ricky received the ball he played a 1-2 with winks and didn’t get hit from the player closing down. 
 

Where as if he played in the winks role he would be getting hit a lot more and would have to cover more space to create the space to be able to play. Ricky would not have the time or space that he benefitted from in the inverted role when playing in the pivot.
 

I think Ricky is perfect for Cifuentes but I do fear his body will struggle to hack that demand.

There's an interview with Enzo about how it helped to manage Ricardo regarding injuries. Also why he didn't tend to play 90 minutes every match to save him. 

He's done similar with Reece James and compared to two for that reason.

 

Chelsea vs Tottenham: Enzo Maresca on playing Reece James in midfield - BBC Sport

[Greg2607]

28 minutes ago, Bluearmyfox28 said:

Ricardo is a right back for me, his body wouldn’t be able to hack the demand of playing in the middle.
 

Choudhury again is being used as a right back, nor do I think he can play the pivot role or has the creativity to be box to box. 

Page is a good depth option at this point of his development. 
 

Soumare needs to go at all costs. Wilf will be gone with that release clause. 
 

Alves and Monga I don’t understand your argument for if I’m being honest. 
 

Golding and Braybrooke aren’t ready.

 

Yes we need to offload Soumare but that leaves Skipp, Winks and Page. Ultimately we need two players in each role that fits Marti’s system. We are going to play close to 60 games this year we can’t depend on players like Page. He’ll get several opportunities throughout the year and that’s a success.

 

Well I'm assuming you are counting the "10" role as a Midfielder role.... which both of those could fit into. 

 

because if you aren't.......... Then you want two extra Midfield roles for what amounts to only 2 positions. 

 

Wilf and Soumare "might" get sold or loaned out... IF someone wants them. 

 

Assuming they do........ that leaves us: - 

 

Winks, Skipp, Choudhary and Ricardo who "could" all play the 2nd Midfielder role next to Winks (I'm assuming he will be our pivot)

 

Page could also be slowly fed in to that position and a starting berth in the squad if he performs well (Jury is still out yet) 

 

that's still 6 possible players for 2 roles. 

 

Aluko, Justin are more likely to play right back than Choudhary.... as it stands Thomas is likely to be our starting left back. (with a rotation option in Justin) 

 

I have a genuine feeling that we won't actually sign anyone in the summer window other than Begovic as a back up keeper if those rumours are true.

 

When you factor in the younger players that are on the cusp of breaking through, our squad is far far too large - both for playing opportunities and for wages at this level. 

 

[Bluearmyfox28]

6 minutes ago, slymunn said:

There's an interview with Enzo about how it helped to manage Ricardo regarding injuries. Also why he didn't tend to play 90 minutes every match to save him. 

He's done similar with Reece James and compared to two for that reason.

 

Chelsea vs Tottenham: Enzo Maresca on playing Reece James in midfield - BBC Sport

He’s spot on. Like I say it’s different to an out and out midfielder though as he’s drifting into space to be the free man and create an overload. That comes with the benefits of not being man marked and not being hit as soon as you receive the ball as well as having less ground to cover.

 

My point is even though he’s drifting into midfield, that role compared to play an out and out midfielder are two completely different things. 

[LCFCCKEANO]

4 hours ago, Sol thewall Bamba said:

We won't sign anyone.

Could see this, could see it being Daka and Ayew 😭

[Bluearmyfox28]

5 minutes ago, Greg2607 said:

Well I'm assuming you are counting the "10" role as a Midfielder role.... which both of those could fit into. 

 

because if you aren't.......... Then you want two extra Midfield roles for what amounts to only 2 positions. 

 

Wilf and Soumare "might" get sold or loaned out... IF someone wants them. 

 

Assuming they do........ that leaves us: - 

 

Winks, Skipp, Choudhary and Ricardo who "could" all play the 2nd Midfielder role next to Winks (I'm assuming he will be our pivot)

 

Page could also be slowly fed in to that position and a starting berth in the squad if he performs well (Jury is still out yet) 

 

that's still 6 possible players for 2 roles. 

 

Aluko, Justin are more likely to play right back than Choudhary.... as it stands Thomas is likely to be our starting left back. (with a rotation option in Justin) 

 

I have a genuine feeling that we won't actually sign anyone in the summer window other than Begovic as a back up keeper if those rumours are true.

 

When you factor in the younger players that are on the cusp of breaking through, our squad is far far too large - both for playing opportunities and for wages at this level. 

 

By midfielders I was classing the two deeper roles of the box to box and pivot. Personally I see the No.10 as more of an attacking role than midfield role. 
 

Personally I don’t believe Ricardo can play that role not based on ability but his body can’t hack it. The fact Hamza has played all pre-season at right back tells me Cifuentes doesn’t see him as midfielder. JJ I believe will be our starting left back with VK getting froze out or moved on. 
 

Personally I feel Soumare is still around because they are trying to move him on permanently and not on loan. I feel he will secure a loan move away with a few weeks of the window left. Wilf I would genuinely be shocked if he’s still with us based on the price of his release clause, that’s a bargain price in today’s market.

 

For Cifuentes style to work I think we are desperate for a box to box midfielder who is comfortable receiving the ball deep and offer creativity moving forward, we have no one that can offer that. Then with regards to the pivot, Winks knows he’s guaranteed that role which I think plays a part in his complacency we’ve been crying out for competition in that role since the Enzo season.

 

So yeah I think we need 2x midfielders. It’s the fullbacks that are bloated as far as I’m concerned. Ricky, Hamza, JJ, Thomas, Aluko, VK and Woyo. That’s 7 fullbacks, 2 of them need to leave and the first 5 would be the ones I keep.

[Greg2607]

1 hour ago, Bluearmyfox28 said:

By midfielders I was classing the two deeper roles of the box to box and pivot. Personally I see the No.10 as more of an attacking role than midfield role. 
 

Personally I don’t believe Ricardo can play that role not based on ability but his body can’t hack it. The fact Hamza has played all pre-season at right back tells me Cifuentes doesn’t see him as midfielder. JJ I believe will be our starting left back with VK getting froze out or moved on. 
 

Personally I feel Soumare is still around because they are trying to move him on permanently and not on loan. I feel he will secure a loan move away with a few weeks of the window left. Wilf I would genuinely be shocked if he’s still with us based on the price of his release clause, that’s a bargain price in today’s market.

 

For Cifuentes style to work I think we are desperate for a box to box midfielder who is comfortable receiving the ball deep and offer creativity moving forward, we have no one that can offer that. Then with regards to the pivot, Winks knows he’s guaranteed that role which I think plays a part in his complacency we’ve been crying out for competition in that role since the Enzo season.

 

So yeah I think we need 2x midfielders. It’s the fullbacks that are bloated as far as I’m concerned. Ricky, Hamza, JJ, Thomas, Aluko, VK and Woyo. That’s 7 fullbacks, 2 of them need to leave and the first 5 would be the ones I keep.

so if I'm understanding correctly.... you don't see a place in our starting 11 for Ricardo. 

[MPH]

5 hours ago, lanefox said:

Someone will probably tell me I'm wrong but I think the solution to whole PSR bollocks is if leagues brought in a salary cap like the American sports

 

You’d need everyone  on board with that and I don’t think the Saudis would be. It would probably result in all the top talent heading out there now instead of waiting until their latter years 

[James_lcfc]

2 hours ago, Bordersfox said:

Actually I think one of the main reasons Riccy stayed fit in the championship is he played an inverted role under Maresca, spending more time in the middle than a trad RB.  

 

The issue I see for Riccy with Cifuentes style is the fullbacks push very high and centrally at times and then need to cover a lot of ground.  He absolutely has the creativity and skill for that role, but does he have the fitness?     

 

If we could move him on I would but very unlikely given his injury record and wages.  Hopefully he proves me wrong and stays fit because technically he's about as good as we've got.  

Yep - Probably more running in central midfield, but less of the very high intensity runs compared to fullback.

 

...and anyone who is over 30 knows that this is where the injury risk is!