Leicester City’s long-term target Robbie Brady’s name has again cropped up and with the Foxes not in the best of positions in the league, further signings are looking likely. Leicester’s title challenge was almost over when they suffered a shock result at the hands of Hull City on the opening day of the season.
And things have gone downhill ever since then in the Premier League. The likes of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have failed to turn up this season and there have been murmurs of one-season wonders doing the rounds.
But while those suggestions are harsh, they have missed the services of N’Golo Kante badly and their reluctance to go all out for a replacement has been baffling. The club maintained that the signing of Nampalys Mendy was with a view to bolstering the midfield and in no way was it an attempt to cover for Kante’s departure, who was still at the club.
But the resounding failure of the midfield to put up any sort of cover for the defence and their inability to act as the springboard for their counters have cost Ranieri and his philosophy. While the teams could not cope up with the fast pace and the direct nature of Leicester’s play last season, they have had time to study the tactics and have effectively prepared themselves while facing the Champions.
The Foxes put a lot of focus on the attack and spent heavily in signing Slimani and Musa. Luis Hernandez was a low-key addition to the defence but he hasn’t been a runaway success. Morgan and Huth have looked jaded at times and the workload of Champions League and the domestic competition has taken a toll on the likes of Mahrez and the defenders.
While they have added Ndidi to the squad, there are a few more ins and outs slated to take place. Jeffrey Schlupp has been linked with an exit since summer and after being left out of the squad for the last 6 games, he is likely to leave. To add to that, Polish International Bartosz Kapustka has been strangely deemed a flop and the club are willing to offload him on loan or even on a permanent basis.
And the name who is most likely to come in is Robbie Brady who has been in excellent form for Norwich City this season. The player can play in the wing-back role and also as a winger. His crossing is of the highest order and is sure to give Leicester City a different dimension in attack. He hogs the byline and with the likes of Slimani, Huth and Morgan in the team, his deliveries will be a crucial factor.
He has three goals and four assists in 21 games in the Championship this campaign and given his previous stint in the top flight, he is likely to have an immediate impact for the struggling Foxes.
