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Leicester City is facing a pivotal summer as they prepare for life back in the Championship following a disappointing relegation season. Former Foxes striker Brian Deane has highlighted the urgent need for considerable changes at the King Power Stadium to ensure the club can mount a serious promotion challenge next season. Deane, who played for Leicester between 2001 and 2003, shared his insights on the club’s current predicament and future prospects.
Brian Deane said: “Leicester have had so many changes. This is their third manager in a short period. Some players will believe they should be playing in the Premier League, although if you look at how they’ve performed this season, they’ve not been very good. Those individuals have a lot to prove. There’ll be some bruised egos.”
Deane added: “They have one of the best training facilities in the league, and it’s a beautiful place to live, so you wonder if they’ve got the right balance regarding their squad. It will be a rebuild now because some of those players were not good enough in the Premier League. They need to look at a different way of putting the squad together. Something needs to change because you can’t fall away as badly as they have done. Unfortunately, Leicester has had that many changes at the top that everybody seems unsettled there.”
Regarding the upcoming season, Deane stated: “Leicester is a massive club in the Championship, so they can’t afford to slip away. There’s been a big investment. They’re going to have to refresh. They’re going to have to create funds. And then from there, they’re looking to go up again. But as we know, it’s not that easy. That’s why you’ve got to get the balance right.”
Deane’s comments come after Leicester’s relegation was confirmed, with the team managing only their second clean sheet of the season in a recent 2-0 victory over Southampton. The former striker also questioned the club’s ambition and recruitment strategy in recent years, noting the lack of leadership and inspirational signings compared to the past.
Deane explained: “While everything was successful, were they trying to stay ahead, or were they just settling? Looking at the top clubs, they don’t just settle and say, ‘We’ve got a great squad now’, they have to keep thinking about how to improve. From what I saw of Leicester this season, there aren’t many leaders in there. I didn’t see the recruitment they had five years ago. I didn’t see anybody like a Youri Tielemans or any inspirational players being signed. That’s why I am questioning recruitment.”
He continued: “From what I’ve seen, it looks like lazy recruitment. I’m not close to what’s going on there, but I think it’s fair to say that. If you can’t put a squad together, then you must be able to get good players from somewhere. It just depends on how creative or how imaginative you want to be. So you go out there and get the players you want to have in your identity. And I don’t know if I’ve seen that in Leicester. When I’ve seen them play, it’s individuals, not a team.”
Deane’s analysis underscores the challenges Leicester City faces as they aim to return to the Premier League. The club must address these issues to ensure they are well-positioned to compete at the top of the Championship next season.
