It was always an uphill task for Leicester City to sustain the success they had achieved last season. They started the season on the worst possible note with a defeat against weak and newly promoted Hull City. Most people had already written off the Foxes out of the equation and the poor start they had will only make that belief stronger. The Premier League holders had to deal with another major blow as star midfielder Danny Drinkwater has reportedly snubbed a new contract from the Foxes amid interest from bigger clubs.
Although snubbing a new deal does not mean that Drinkwater will leave the club this summer and might just be playing a negotiation game to notch a more lucrative package, Leicester City have to stay prepared for anything coming their way. The departure of Kante has already hurt them and in case Drinkwater also leaves now, misery could be awaiting the Foxes this season.
Leicester City should start looking for replacements for the English international and here are three possible candidates they can go for.
Ryan Mason
The 25-year-old is currently out of favour at White Hart Lane and could be on the move. The English international waited a lot to get his chance for his boyhood club and when he got it in the 2014-15 season, it looked like that he could a Spurs hero for a long time. However, his injury-ravaged last season changed the whole equation. A box to box midfielder with plenty of energy and creativity in his locker, Mason would be quality signing from Leicester City.
James McCarthy
The arrival of Ronald Koeman at Everton and probably with a new midfielder on the cards, the Irish international’s future at Goodison Park has come under speculations. Still only 25, McCarthy is already quite an experienced Premier League campaigner. He has shown his quality at the highest level and if Everton are willing to part ways with the former Wigan athletic midfielder, Leicester City should pounce on the opportunity. With a brilliant ability to win the ball, McCarthy is one of the most tenacious midfielders in the Premier League and would easily fit in Ranieri’s side.
Nabil Bentaleb
Just like Ryan Mason, Nabil Bentaleb is on the fringes of the Spurs squad right now. Just aged 21, Bentaleb was one of the most promising young midfielders in the world when he made his breakthrough to the Spurs first-team. Just when it looked like that he can be a long-term success at Spurs, came his injury-cursed last season and he lost his place in the team. The Algerian is still a highly-rated defensive midfielder with exceptional passing abilities. The Premier League holders should make the best use of the situation and bring the young Algerian to King Power.
