Best 11 at this moment

[Merchant_Banker]

3 hours ago, honeybradger said:

My whole point is that Khannouss is currently a square peg in a round hole at attacking midfielder. He is a natural 8 who should be predominantly based in our half and venture into the opposition half rather than be pinned as our furthest forward midfielder.

 

He is a much better tackler than Tielemans was for us who successfully played in the pivot when we won the FA cup, much better tackler than Winks as well who currently plays the pivot for us. If you compare tackling ability to Ngolo Kante as a benchmark then there are no natural tacklers apart from Ngolo Kante.

 

When I see El Khannouss play i see a Tielemans replacement, not a Maddison one. His best moments for us last season were receiving the ball in our half and progressing the ball up the pitch. When he is in the opposition half he often struggles to open up the opposition defence, his final pass isn't always great and his shooting is inconsistent. 

 

We need to play to his strengths by playing him deeper where his ability to dictate play can shine and minimise his time outside the opponents box where he often struggles to make things happen. Yes, he's not going to be elite at protecting the backline but as I've said we have had success in the championship and the PL playing players who are worse defensively than El Khannouss.

I think this is one of the problems with Cifuentes joining late in pre-season. He has been able to see all of the players in their current positions, but has not been able to test them in other, e.g. as you say, Bilal at 8. I would also have liked to see McAteer at 8, others have said McAteer at 9, and what about Monga at 10 and Evans at 9?

[Pliskin]

                           Stolarczyk 

 

   Ricardo      Nelson       Okoli     Aluko

 

                              Hamza 

 

              Page                          Bilal 

 

 

Fatawu                                             Monga 

                               Ayew 

 

Out of possession 

 

                            Stolarczyk 

 

           Nelson         Okoli         Aluko

 

                Ricardo            Hamza 

 

Fatawu          Page         Bilal           Monga  

                                Ayew. 

      
in possession.  

[Lambert09]

15 minutes ago, Pliskin said:

                           Stolarczyk 

 

   Ricardo      Nelson       Okoli     Aluko

 

                              Hamza 

 

              Page                          Bilal 

 

 

Fatawu                                             Monga 

                               Ayew 

 

Out of possession 

 

                            Stolarczyk 

 

           Nelson         Okoli         Aluko

 

                Ricardo            Hamza 

 

Fatawu          Page         Bilal           Monga  

                                Ayew. 

      
in possession.  

I actually like this, except I do think as good as aluko has been,  we do need a little more experience at the back and I’d lean Justin. 
 

but if we are going to play very open, hamza actually would be very effective 

Edited 26 July 2025 by Lambert09

[lcfc sheff]

2 hours ago, Pliskin said:

                           Stolarczyk 

 

   Ricardo      Nelson       Okoli     Aluko

 

                              Hamza 

 

              Page                          Bilal 

 

 

Fatawu                                             Monga 

                               Ayew 

 

Out of possession 

 

                            Stolarczyk 

 

           Nelson         Okoli         Aluko

 

                Ricardo            Hamza 

 

Fatawu          Page         Bilal           Monga  

                                Ayew. 

      
in possession.  

I love the look of that so much. Hamza and Ayew being the only ones I’d look to upgrade

[Pliskin]

2 hours ago, Lambert09 said:

I actually like this, except I do think as good as aluko has been,  we do need a little more experience at the back and I’d lean Justin. 
 

but if we are going to play very open, hamza actually would be very effective 

I actually agree. Justin is better on the left hand side too for me. I think I just like the idea of Aluko! But he will need introducing slowly. 

[Pliskin]

31 minutes ago, lcfc sheff said:

I love the look of that so much. Hamza and Ayew being the only ones I’d look to upgrade

I do somewhat agree. But I’m just thinking we will likely have more new outfield players in for the opening game. Hamza has looked sharp and aggressive and I would say is marginally better on the ball than Wilf. Wilf has looked miles off so far. I think Hamza would do really well in that position and joined by Riccy would have the composure he needs next to him. 
 

Ayew, has again looked alright, he’s experienced and can hold the ball up, that’s really important as we have attacking midfielders who all can run in behind, so we don’t necessarily need Ayew to do that bit, he can press for about 60 odd minutes and can bring the others into play. He’s fairly composed too, at this level I expect him to be a step above….. but ideally yes, we will want to bring in some better players if we had the option. 

[lcfc sheff]

14 hours ago, Pliskin said:

I do somewhat agree. But I’m just thinking we will likely have more new outfield players in for the opening game. Hamza has looked sharp and aggressive and I would say is marginally better on the ball than Wilf. Wilf has looked miles off so far. I think Hamza would do really well in that position and joined by Riccy would have the composure he needs next to him. 
 

Ayew, has again looked alright, he’s experienced and can hold the ball up, that’s really important as we have attacking midfielders who all can run in behind, so we don’t necessarily need Ayew to do that bit, he can press for about 60 odd minutes and can bring the others into play. He’s fairly composed too, at this level I expect him to be a step above….. but ideally yes, we will want to bring in some better players if we had the option. 

ndidi can't play that holding role anymore so I wouldn't have considered him either, as well as myself feeling sick look at both winks or skips. 

 

I understand the Ayew vision, I'm just not sure it'll work in the championship. im a traditionalist and believe we need goals from our striker!

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/leicester-city-squad-depth-chart-10378533

 

Leicester City squad depth chart shows what must happen to aid Marti Cifuentes transfer plan
Leicester City used 30 players across their friendlies in Austria, while they have a further four senior players who are recovering from injury or building fitness

ByJordan Blackwell
13:17, 27 JUL 2025

Leicester City need to cut at least 10 players from their current squad if they’re to fulfil Marti Cifuentes’ wishes and create room for new signings.

Cifuentes has said it’s “very clear” that City have a big squad that needs trimming during the transfer window, with the Spaniard expressing a preference for a smaller group.

In three friendlies played at their Austria training camp, City used 30 different players, while they have a further four first-team squad members currently rebuilding their fitness or recovering from injury in Mads Hermansen, Victor Kristiansen, Harry Souttar, and Bobby De Cordova-Reid.

 

That number needs to be cut significantly if City want to give Cifuentes a manageable squad and create space for a few new additions.

Because of the numbers of players at Cifuentes’ disposal, there is a fairly balanced group at City at the moment, with a plethora of options in nearly every position.

In fact, when considering the versatility of some players, such as James Justin and Hamza Choudhury, City have even greater coverage in some areas.

However, there is a glaring lack of strikers. Jordan Ayew has been playing there in pre-season, but Patson Daka is really the only out-and-out number nine in the squad at present.

City desperately require a new forward this transfer window, and will also need to replace some of the big names in their squad that they are expected to sell as they adjust to a Championship budget, such as Bilal El Khannouss and Wilfred Ndidi.

Leicester City's squad depth chart shows the 34 players currently at Marti Cifuentes' disposal
To free up space, it means the number of players cut from the squad needs to get into double figures.

There are a handful of young players who could return to the Under-21s, while there are players like Wanya Marcal and Silko Thomas who could be loaned out.

But more senior players also need to move on, and it’s something City have so far not done.

Perhaps so Cifuentes could have his say, but perhaps of difficulties in getting players out of the door, City have so far not sold nor loaned out any senior players this summer.

The only senior departures have been those who were out of contract: Jamie Vardy, Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen.

By this time two years ago, when they were preparing for their last Championship campaign, nine players had left, seven on free transfers and with James Maddison and Harvey Barnes sold for a combined £75m.

They finished with 13 senior departures, with Timothy Castagne sold to Fulham, and with Luke Thomas, Victor Kristiansen and Boubakary Soumare loaned out.

[Bluearmyfox28]

With regards to people saying they wouldn’t start Monga due to managing his rise, I think that’s BS. The expectation is already there from Leicester fans it can’t get much higher. You manage a young lad like Monga through game management.
 

Playing 3x a week is not ideal for his young body. But starting week 1 is more than reasonable if we feel he’s good enough/better than the rest.

[Pliskin]

55 minutes ago, Bluearmyfox28 said:

With regards to people saying they wouldn’t start Monga due to managing his rise, I think that’s BS. The expectation is already there from Leicester fans it can’t get much higher. You manage a young lad like Monga through game management.
 

Playing 3x a week is not ideal for his young body. But starting week 1 is more than reasonable if we feel he’s good enough/better than the rest.

We’ve also got the luxury of being able to use Mavididi too, who’s already proven he’s productive at championship level. Rotation will our friend this season if used properly!

[filbertway]

On 24/07/2025 at 14:22, Finnegan said:

 

It's copium. 

 

He got injured and didn't recover very well last year so everyone's convincing themselves Stolarczyk is better in advance so that we're less depressed when he leaves for way less than he's worth. 

 

I think most people just assume he's off. 

[Jazzy_Jeff]

This is what I’d like to see against Sheff Weds assuming we don’t sign anyone (😆)

players in brackets will be who would play if predicted player leaves before then 

 

Stolarcyzk

 

Choudhury

Faes (Okoli)

Nelson

Justin

 

Winks

Ndidi (Skipp)

 

Mcateer

BEK (Ayew) 

Monga

 

Daka

[FosseSpark]

Stolarzcyk

Ricardo Nelson Okoli Thomas

Winks

Fatawu Ndidi El Khannous Mavididi

Ayew

 

Monga Daka Coady Begovic Alves Skipp Choudhury Evans Justin

 

[Chelmofox]

2 hours ago, Jazzy_Jeff said:

This is what I’d like to see against Sheff Weds assuming we don’t sign anyone (😆)

players in brackets will be who would play if predicted player leaves before then 

 

Stolarcyzk

 

Choudhury

Faes (Okoli)

Nelson

Justin

 

Winks

Ndidi (Skipp)

 

Mcateer

BEK (Ayew) 

Monga

 

Daka

No Ricardo or Fatawu. I will start the Jazzu_Jeff out thread.

[Jazzy_Jeff]

15 minutes ago, Chelmofox said:

No Ricardo or Fatawu. I will start the Jazzu_Jeff out thread.

Working on the assumption Fatawu isn’t fit yet and I’d prefer to use Ricardo more sparingly to get more games out of him. If he missed Friday with sore hammy he should already be a doubt 

Edited 28 July 2025 by Jazzy_Jeff

[Merchant_Banker]

58 minutes ago, FosseSpark said:

Stolarzcyk

Ricardo Nelson Okoli Thomas

Winks

Fatawu Ndidi El Khannous Mavididi

Ayew

 

Monga Daka Coady Begovic Alves Skipp Choudhury Evans Justin

 

I think, unless Fatawu plays most of the Fiorentina match, that McAteer will start on the right. Based on pre-season and the fact that Mav missed the last friendlies I think Monga starts on the left. That is purely at the moment and I am not suggesting this would continue beyond the first game.