While it may be more exciting to consider the players Leicester City could sign in January, in each of the past nine winter transfer windows, they have seen more players leave the club than arrive.
Such has been City’s standing in the game, January has usually been used to get youngsters out on loan or to move on those players who are out of favour and struggling for game-time. While they will attempt to sign players in the new years, it’s again likely that more will leave than come in.
So who are the contenders to depart? Here are five players who could say goodbye in January, even if only on a short-term loan deal.
Danny Ward
Jakub Stolarczyk is nearing full fitness after his summer injury and the Pole’s return is likely to knock Danny Ward down a place in the pecking order. His Wales number one jersey is increasingly under threat from Karl Darlow too, and so he may feel more regular football is required.
As far as City are concerned, it could be their last chance to get a small fee for Ward. His contract expires in the summer.
Daniel Iversen
Much of the above is also true for Daniel Iversen. The Dane would also be pushed further into the fringes by Stolarczyk’s return and he too will have just six months remaining on his City contract come January.
Derby made a move for Iversen in the summer and it would not be a surprise if there were Championship and League One clubs interested in the 27-year-old. He’s done enough in loan spells over the past few years, particularly at Preston, to show he can make the saves to win points.
Conor Coady
Conor Coady has made just one Premier League appearance this season, his substitute outing at Crystal Palace in which he conceded the late penalty. For a player who was so used to being in the starting 11 every week prior to joining City, his lack of opportunities will be a frustration for him, with the Carabao Cup exit further limiting his chances.
If City were able to bring in a centre-back, they may sanction Coady’s exit. Albeit replacing Coady by recalling Ben Nelson from Oxford is now out of the question after the 20-year-old tore tendons in his thigh, ruling him out for potentially four months.
Kasey McAteer
Every time Kasey McAteer has been on the bench in the Premier League, he’s played. But those five substitute appearances add up to just 36 minutes of pitch-time. For City’s other six Premier League games, he didn’t even make the squad.
The fitness of Jordan Ayew and Abdul Fatawu may play a part in determining McAteer’s immediate future, but it seems he is behind the aforementioned duo as well as Stephy Mavididi, Facundo Buonanotte, Bilal El Khannouss and Bobby De Cordova-Reid for the three attacking positions behind the striker. If he’s not going to be used at City, he may be better off out on loan, developing his game.
Will Alves
Again, all that is true for McAteer is the case for Will Alves, and some. With so many options available to Steve Cooper, two Carabao Cup substitute appearances is all the teenager has been granted this season.
The manager said that a loan had been considered for Alves in the summer but the right club did not come forward. You would hope, given his talent, there would be EFL clubs lining up to take the attacking midfielder for the second half of the campaign. Finding Alves a short-term home would be a good job well done for the incoming loans manager.
Leave a Reply