It has been a very disappointing start to the season for Leicester City and the pressure is mounting on former Queens Park Rangers manager Marti Cifuentes in the technical area at the King Power Stadium.
Regardless of how the next few months unfold, it is evident that, if possible, substantial work needs to be done on the Foxes squad, and one player who could significantly enhance them is Sunderland left-back Dennis Cirkin.
The summer began with the delayed exit of Ruud van Nistelrooy, amid claims that Leicester could face a points deduction by the EFL at some stage this campaign.
They then approved the departures of numerous first-team players, with incoming transfers limited to the free signing of veteran goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and deadline day loan deals for Jordan James, Aaron Ramsey, and Julian Carranza.
The off-field uncertainty will persist until their case is settled, but should Leicester be able to operate in the January window, a move for Cirkin would be both opportunistic and shrewd.
Leicester should target Dennis Cirkin:
Having arrived from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2021, Dublin-born England youth international Dennis Cirkin gradually established himself as a key figure for Sunderland and one of the league’s standout attacking full-backs.
He played an important role in the Black Cats side that earned promotion to the Premier League through a play-off final victory over Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium in May, and remains highly regarded.
However, a big summer of investment from the club saw them overhaul their squad and recruit as many as two left-backs, with former Atletico Madrid man Reinildo joining alongside ex-West Ham United defender Arthur Masuaku.
On top of that, Cirkin has been battling injuries throughout the beginning of this season and, although he recently returned to training with Regis Le Bris’ squad, he is expected to be on the fringes at the Stadium of Light.
As a result, the 23-year-old will surely be eager to continue his progression and development, and Leicester should act quickly in pursuing a move for the left-back, who would represent a major upgrade for the Foxes.
Dennis Cirkin would upgrade on Luke Thomas:
Leicester currently possess a somewhat patchwork squad, a legacy of several different managers, which has left them struggling for cohesion or a clear tactical identity.
A 1-1 draw against ten-man Middlesbrough, where the Smoggies equalised deep into stoppage time via Luke Ayling, has left Leicester stranded in the bottom half of the Championship table after 14 games.
Their current first-choice left-back, despite Victor Kristiansen still being on the books, is academy product Luke Thomas, who made his debut for the club back in 2020.
Once considered a highly promising talent, 24-year-old Thomas has since developed into a fairly disappointing and limited option on the left side of defence; having been loaned out twice by Leicester, first to Sheffield United and then to ‘Boro.
He managed only 12 league appearances each for the Blades and for ‘Boro, before returning to Leicester as a further diminished asset compared to when he left.
Dennis Cirkin is keen for game time and looks unlikely to find it on Wearside, so he could follow in the footsteps of Patrick Roberts, who departed to Birmingham City on loan on the final day of the summer transfer window.
Leicester have numerous challenges, both on and off the pitch, but one glaring issue at left-back could be resolved by moving for Cirkin and helping him get his career back on track.