How Leicester City could line-up in the Championship without signings | OneFootball

Ruud van Nistelrooy may lead Leicester into the EFL Championship with a team beleaguered with departures, a possibly over-zealous EFL looking to take revenge on the team that got away from their points deduction, and through a tumultuous period of youth promotions. I will look into what positions might see changes, and how the team could line up if no new players were signed.

Leicester City's Departure Board

The departure board almost guarantees at least three players who's contracts are expiring at the end of this season. Jamie Vardy has announced his intention to leave the King Power after 13 years with the supporters. The dynamic disaster-duo of Danny Ward and Daniel Iversen will also leave unless new contracts are signed for the pair. I would not mind the Dane remaining as a cup goalkeeper and behind Jakub Stolarczyk.

That gives away one of my expected departures. Mads Hermansen is one of the hot commodities at the club. I would be confused if Leicester did not choose to sell the player to raise transfer funds or to tackle any possible PSR pressures they might be under. This would likely be the same reason for every player that ends up leaving. Stolarczyk is already here, and the Polish 'keeper deserves the chance.

There are nine players with one more season on their contracts, including academy graduate and currently in-favour left-back Luke Thomas, as well as both right-backs James Justin and Ricardo Pereira. Of those, I expect the Foxes to sever ties with Justin, Conor Coady, and Boubakary Soumare. There is also the chance that to save the wage bill, and with the out-of-favour Woyo Coulibaly present, the Portuguese loyal right-back could also be on the chopping block.

Most other players have enough time of their contracts for the club to fight to get back into the Premier League and then challenge to retain that spot. However, some of those will want PL football now, and not wait for Leicester City to find their way back. These could include the sensational Bilal El Khannouss, Wilfred Ndidi, Wout Faes, Victor Kristiansen, and perhaps Jannik Vestergaard. Again, all of these would raise funds and save massively on wage bills. I do however expect the Danish centre-back to stay.

Leicester City's post-departure line-up

At the back, Jakub Stolarczyk will likely stand between the sticks finally claiming the 'No.1' shirt. This will happen unless the King Power Club choose that the funds raised by selling Hermansen are not worth it. After all, the Dane is exceptional and perfectly suited to a modern goalkeeping role. If he remained, then he would undoubtedly gain the No.1 shirt.

In defence, Thomas, Ben Nelson, Vestergaard, Caleb Okoli, and hopefully Pereira should be the backbone. Harry Souttar does also remain at the club but is injured for an extremely long time, so unfortunately will not see action until much later in the season. I would much prefer the Aussie to the Dane in this set up. Additionally, there are on-loan or youth players who could feature from the bench.

In midfield, I would hope we retain Harry Winks, so Winks, Oliver Skipp, and Will Alves would make up a progressive and technically capable midfield. Although, again we could attempt to keep the Nigerian defensive-midfielder with the Foxes. Importantly, we should note rumours of a possible release clause in El Khannouss' contract. If true, we can only keep the AM if no one wants the player.

Again, I feel Sammy Braybrooke and Henry Cartwright should be included in the Championship squad, even if only from the bench. The pair could partner well with Alves should El Khannouss remain at the King Power Club, giving our head coach the choice of our youth stars or established talents.

At the front, Stephy Mavdidi, Patson Daka - who has little time left on his contract - and Abdul Fatawu would likely make up the main front line. Kasey McAteer and Wanya Marcal-Madivadua should be included in the squad, and youth players Jake Evans and Jeremy Monga should be given a full callup to the senior side as impact substitutes in our efforts to keep the pair at Leicester.

Jordan Ayew and Bobby De Cordova-Reid will probably remain with Leicester City and do offer some versatility. Ayew especially has been just fine under Steve Cooper, where Reid got better under Nistelrooy's system. I hope Ayew remains and Reid is offloaded to make space.

Even with these players present, there will be gaps. Goalkeeping depth should Hermansen and Iversen leave would be abysmal non-existent (I am assuming there is zero chance of the Welsh 'keeper remaining). There would need to be more fullbacks either signed or promoted. And, we lack any real prolific experience upfront: Daka will need to do a lot of work, which I back him to do, but we might need a striker to either take the starting spot or be our impact substitute.