Enzo Maresca took over a side who were relegated from the top flight in unprecedented fashion last summer and managed to overhaul the squad, bringing in some new signings such as Harry Winks, Mads Hermansen, Callum Doyle and Stephy Mavididi who have made all the difference.
Aided by parachute payments, Leicester are second in the Championship right now, having topped the table for the majority of the campaign. However, the Foxes still have a game in hand over league leaders Leeds United as a result of playing in the FA Cup at the weekend against Chelsea.
Unfortunately, Leicester City have been charged this week with breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, meaning the club could receive a points deduction on return to the promised land. However, this won’t stop Maresca and his players from continuing their pursuit of the second-tier crown.
Opta’s latest projections have ruled that Leicester are still strong favourites for the title, with a 58.4% chance of finishing at the summit of the table. Meanwhile, the team also boast an 87.9% chance of earning promotion inside the top two.
With promotion likely, Maresca’s side have been linked with players ahead of the summer transfer window. According to a report from HITC, the Foxes are keeping tabs on Karamoko Dembele’s progress with Blackpool in League One, although they face stiff competition from Leeds, Southampton and a host of other clubs in the Premier League.
The Frenchman, on loan at Bloomfield Road from Ligue 1 outfit Brest, has recorded 19 goal contributions in all competitions this season, soaring his market value to £500,000, as per Transfermarkt.
Speaking in a recent interview with Football League World, Sheffield Wednesday legend and EFL pundit Carlton Palmer has urged Dembele to move to either the King Power Stadium or Elland Road.
“This has brought him to the attention of West Ham and Everton, who are looking at the player. It will be interesting to see if they can make a deal with his present club to get him out. With his age at 21, he could be a possible top-flight player.
“Maybe a Leeds or a Leicester would be more appealing to a player in terms of him getting more game time. If he went to Everton or West Ham, he would be more of a squad player,” he continued.
“It will be interesting to see what happens with him. He has done really, really well, and at the age of 21 I think he would look to go to a club perhaps like Leeds or Leicester where he will be guaranteed more game time if he moves.”
Writer’s View
It would make sense for the young playmaker to join either Leicester City or Leeds United as he will have a better chance of receiving game-time at these clubs than a team like West Ham United or Everton.
However, jumping from League One straight to the Premier League will be a difficult task for the 21-year-old. Perhaps his future club will look to send him out on loan to the Championship to become better prepared for making the step up to the top tier.
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