NafisaLeicester City is now focused on “shaping their future” and building a squad ready for the 2025-26 Championship season.
What will that squad look like? The final six games of this season will offer hints, but every Leicester fan has their own vision for the team’s lineup.
Here, we explore a dream Leicester squad for the upcoming campaign, capping new signings at nine, matching the number made during their last Championship stint.
Goalkeepers
In fantasy land, Mads Hermansen stays. But realistically, the Danish goalkeeper will be sold this summer with City needing to balance their finances to cope with the slash to TV and sponsorship revenue, and to help meet the guidelines set out by the Profit and Sustainability Rules.
As a valuable asset, Hermansen is likely to depart. However, Jakub Stolarczyk appears ready to step up as the first-choice goalkeeper.
With Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen’s contracts expiring, the goalkeeping unit needs a revamp.
Stolarczyk transitioned from League Two to Hermansen’s backup in the Championship, so Leicester could scout the EFL for a young deputy.
Wigan’s Sam Tickle is highly regarded but may seek guaranteed minutes. In League Two, Carlisle’s 21-year-old Gabriel Breeze ranks third for save percentage and could be a long-term prospect.
An experienced third-choice keeper would round out the group. With John Ruddy and Tom Heaton set to be free agents from Newcastle and Manchester United, respectively, they fit the profile.
Defenders
At full-back, Leicester are well-equipped. Ricardo Pereira and Woyo Coulibaly can cover right-back, while James Justin and Luke Thomas handle left-back, allowing Victor Kristiansen to move on, as he did on loan during Leicester’s last Championship season.
Retaining 18-year-old Bade Aluko, who was on the bench against Brighton, in the first-team squad would add depth and allow Ricardo to shift into midfield occasionally.
The center-back position requires more attention. Ben Nelson is expected to return from his Oxford loan and start, while Caleb Okoli’s passionate performance, including his goal against Brighton, has won over fans.
Offloading Wout Faes, Jannik Vestergaard, and Conor Coady would pave the way for a defensive overhaul.
Leicester have been linked with 20-year-old, 6ft 4in Japanese center-back Kota Takai from Kawasaki Frontale, tapping into the growing trend of EFL clubs signing J League talent.
They’ve also been connected to Bernardo, a former Brighton defender who’s a free agent this summer and has impressed at Bochum. The left-footed Brazilian would offer a unique option.
Harry Souttar could get a fresh chance under new management, and Swansea’s ball-playing defender Harry Darling, a free agent this summer, could be another target.
Deep midfielders
This area may need a rebuild if Harry Winks, Wilfred Ndidi, and Boubakary Soumare leave.
Oliver Skipp seems likely to stay and could thrive in the Championship, but Leicester may need significant additions to complement him.
M Breda’s Hayden Hackney is the best passer in the Championship and looks destined for the Premier League. If City can convince him they can get him there, he would be a marquee deal to pull off this summer.
City have been linked to defensive midfielder Shea Charles over the past few months, the Northern Irish midfielder racking up the tackles and interceptions at Sheffield Wednesday, on loan from Southampton.
If Southampton feel secure in their midfield as they aim for Premier League promotion, the 21-year-old could become available.
One more versatile midfielder would complete the unit. Dogucan Haspolat could be a shrewd acquisition.
The Turkish-Dutch midfielder currently captains Westerlo in Belgium, and ranks in the top five in the division for key passes, tackles, and interceptions. He’s 25 years old, and so coming into his prime too.
Attacking midfielders/wingers
Leicester may not need additions here, with an abundance of talent already in place for the wings and no.10 role. The challenge will be retaining them.
Bilal El Khannouss is the big one. It feels like he’s too good for the Championship but to make a significant PSR profit on him, City are going to need a sum approaching £30m and there may not be clubs willing to pay that.
If City can convince him to stay for another season, the Moroccan can be the creative heart of the team.
He’ll have plenty of support. Will Alves, returning from his Cardiff loan, could challenge El Khannouss centrally or play wide.
Stephy Mavididi and Kasey McAteer are strong wing options, while Abdul Fatawu will be regaining fitness.
Jake Evans is set to rise in prominence, and if Leicester can hold onto 15-year-old Jeremy Monga amid interest from Manchester City and others, he’ll add further excitement.
With such attacking depth, players like Jordan Ayew and Bobby De Cordova-Reid may not be needed.
Strikers
Sentimentally, Leicester fans would love Jamie Vardy to stay, but the club must weigh whether a 38-year-old should lead their promotion push.
If City chose to keep Vardy, he would score goals in the Championship with the talent around him.
Alternatively, looking to the future, Coventry’s Haji Wright would bring a complete striker profile at Championship level. At 11 years younger than Vardy, he could be ready for the Premier League and would be a marquee signing alongside Hackney.
Wycombe’s Richard Kone, with 18 League One goals this season, is likely to attract interest from every Championship club. The 21-year-old’s unconventional path from non-league makes his potential unpredictable, but Leicester could mold him into a top-tier talent.
With Jake Evans also capable of playing up top or on the wing, Leicester would have a dynamic set of forwards.
How the final 25-man squad looks
Stolarczyk, Breeze, Heaton, Ricardo, Coulibaly, Justin, Thomas, Aluko, Nelson, Okoli, Takai, Bernardo, Skipp, Hackney, Charles, Haspolat, El Khannouss, Alves, Fatawu, McAteer, Mavididi, Monga, Evans, Wright, Kone.
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