Leicester City have a serious weapon that should be the envy of the Championship in 2025/26 | OneFootball

Foxes fans will be eagerly anticipating Abdul Fatawu's return

Leicester City are bracing for a pivotal season - one that will define their recovery from relegation and test the limits of their financial and footballing resilience.

As the Foxes' budget tightens and expectations remain high, few assets stand out as both affordable and transformative, but Abdul Fatawu is one of them.

Fatawu’s 2024/25 Premier League campaign was cruelly cut short after suffering an ACL injury on international duty with Ghana.

It was a bitter blow - for the player, the club, and any football supporters who enjoy watching electric wingers take games by the scruff of the neck.

But the 21-year-old is now back in training and, barring any setbacks, is ready to pick up where he left off.

Abdul Fatawu’s return could reshape Leicester City’s 2025/26 campaign

Before his injury, Fatawu was a revelation in the Foxes’ 2023/24 Championship title-winning season: six goals, 13 assists, and an attacking presence that stretched defences and excited crowds.

His direct running, left-footed threat from the right, and natural flair gave Leicester an unpredictability they sorely lacked in the Premier League.

His long layoff came at the worst possible time. Ruled out for the majority of Leicester's top flight season, Fatawu’s absence was keenly felt in a side that often lacked spark.

Now, with Leicester back in the second tier and seeking identity under a new manager, his return could hardly be better timed.

Unlike some of Leicester's younger prospects, Fatawu is a known quantity. He’s done it at this level - and not just in flashes.

Against Championship opposition, he was consistently decisive. Whether starting or introduced from the bench, he changed games for the Foxes.

Fitness will, of course, be monitored closely. ACL injuries are serious, and his explosiveness depends on confidence in movement - but early signs are encouraging.

In a division where individual quality can be the difference between a promotion push and mid-table obscurity, having a player with Fatawu’s pedigree is a considerable advantage.

Players of his calibre are not commonplace in the Championship - and even rarer still at clubs facing financial constraints.

Why Leicester City must build around Abdul Fatawu - and not sell him

Leicester’s situation off the pitch cannot be ignored. The club remains under scrutiny following charges for alleged breaches of financial regulations, and with parachute payments no longer in play, significant expenditure in the transfer market appears unlikely.

In that context, the value of having a ready made, high performing winger already on the books cannot be overstated.

Selling him now, either to balance the books or out of concern for fitness, would be short-sighted. Replacing his output, his Championship experience, and his match-winning qualities would be near impossible under current constraints.

Leicester’s promotion hopes cannot hinge solely on new signings. They need proven internal solutions, and Fatawu is exactly that.

His ceiling remains high. At 21, he still has time to develop. But even at his current level, he is one of the division’s most dangerous wide players - particularly in a system built to suit him.

In a summer of difficult decisions and necessary departures, retaining and reintegrating Fatawu should be non-negotiable. He offers quality, dynamism, and belief at a time when Leicester need all three.

And if he hits the ground running, Abdul Fatawu could do more than just return to form - he could lead Leicester straight back to where they want to be.