What a perfect deadline day for Leicester City would look like, with Enzo Maresca’s team having to be simplified but certain players too vital to sell.
Leicester City’s ideal deadline day revolves around a deal they shouldn’t do.
It is a surprise that September has arrived with Kelechi Iheanacho still at City, but that he is here now means the club should ensure he’s here tomorrow too.
The Nigerian striker fits best in Enzo Maresca’s system. He serves as a focal point for the wingers, midfielders, and even the defenders, allowing City to advance the ball into the final third while knowing that Iheanacho’s hold-up play will keep it there.
After completing that task, he becomes a threat in the last third. His vision and pass weight are excellent for a striker, and his goal record demonstrates that he also knows where the net is.
These attributes should have seen Premier League clubs come calling for Iheanacho the moment City dropped down a division, particularly with only one year left on his contract. But talk of Nottingham Forest and Everton interest quickly subsided and it all went quiet until clubs like Crystal Palace, Wolves, and West Ham emerged as potential suitors over the past week.
Offers may be made on deadline day and while it would take a bid close to £20m to get City to part with Iheanacho, the club’s supporters, and maybe even Maresca, will hope that doesn’t tempt them.
It would have made sense earlier in the window. This is City’s final chance to earn a fee for Iheanacho, with the final one coming in January if he does not sign a new contract.
But it no longer does. City would have little time to find a successor, especially as it would be difficult to find a player for the same amount who could do all Iheanacho does and would agree to join a Championship club.
The best available alternative to Iheanacho was Joel Piroe. He has proven he can perform in the Championship, has a similar play style to the Nigerian, but is also young enough that he has room to improve and could step up with City if they make it back to the Premier League. But he’s now swapped Swansea for Leeds, and so is off the market.
Right now, it does not feel like there is any striker City could get that is able to fire them to promotion like Iheanacho can, and a return to the Premier League is worth far more than £20m.
But while an ideal deadline would see Iheanacho stay, there are players City need to move on. Maresca has made his mind up on certain members of his squad and it is no good to the manager, the club’s promotion prospects or the players themselves if they stick around.
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