🦁 PL Previews: Do Leicester know the transfer window is open? | OneFootball

Leicester went into last season full of optimism after winning the FA Cup for the first time in their history with a European journey to look forward to.

A Europa League group stage exit led to the Foxes dropping into the Europa Conference League and progression to the semi-finals followed.

But the domestic campaign fizzled out and Brendan Rodgers’ side finished eighth. Suddenly positivity turned into apprehension and there’s a sense of the unknown around the King Power Stadium heading into 2022/23.

Click here to see all of our season previews so far.

Transfers 🔁

In: None.

Out: Eldin Jakupovic (released), Vontae Daley-Campbell (Cardiff, free)

Transfer balance: £0

Key fixtures 📆

🔑 Key player: Harvey Barnes

Jamie Vardy’s ability to find the net cannot be underestimated and James Maddison looks set to remain at the King Power but this could well be the season Barnes becomes the main man.

The 24-year-old winger was on the brink of an England call-up until a knee injury curtailed his 2020/21 campaign, and the effects of that hampered his progress last season.

But Barnes is starting to look capable of reaching his level again and Rodgers’ side have an extra dimension to it when he is on form.

His desire to run at and beat his marker mixed with his decisive end product has all the trademarks of an old-fashioned winger.

With 32 goals and 29 assists in 145 appearances for the club, he’s certainly been delivering up until this stage.

What has changed since last season? 🤔

In truth, not a lot.

Rodgers talked in June about the squad needing a “healthy shake-up” this summer but there hasn’t been any transfer activity whatsoever coming in or even heading out.

A situation that has left a head coach and a fanbase frustrated heading into the new campaign amidst the fear that it has all gone a bit stale around the place.

But there are reasons for optimism. Jamie Vardy has been in form during pre-season, Youri Tielemans hasn’t departed as many expected he might, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the one success story from last season, has committed his long-term future to the club.

There is still more than enough talent within the Leicester ranks, now it’s down to Rodgers to tap into it again.

Predicted XI 🔮

(4-3-3) — Schmeichel; Pereira, Fofana, Evans, Castagne; Ndidi, Tielemans, Dewsbury Hall; Maddison, Vardy, Barnes

Where will they finish? 🏆

Premier League: 10th FA Cup: Fifth round EFL Cup: Fourth round