Leicester

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

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After an injury-riddled debut season, making just 13 appearances in Enzo Maresca's side during the Championship title-winning campaign, Leicester City looked set to cut their losses on Tom Cannon this summer.

Initially, when Leicester fought off fierce competition for the Everton academy graduate's permanent signature, fans and pundits thought the Foxes were beginning their succession planning for the eventual departure of Jamie Vardy.

After all, Vardy and Cannon have plenty of similarities. They are both pacey, enjoy playing off the shoulder of the last defender and can boast healthy shot conversion rates.

However, given how 2023-24 went, the Foxes sought to offload Cannon, only to fail in their hunt for a permanent club for the 21-year-old striker. Instead, they agreed a season-long loan with Championship side Stoke City - and the Potters are more than enjoying his services.

Cannon has become a permanent fixture in Narcis Pelach's side and made himself a fan favourite. He has already scored seven goals in all competitions this season, level with Stoke's top scorer for the whole of last term.

He does have a recall clause written into his loan contract and some Foxes fans are calling for an early return in the January transfer window to paper over the cracks appearing in Leicester's attack.

It had seemed the November international break was well timed for Leicester, with injured strikers Jamie Vardy and Patson Daka both returning to training during the two-week break.

However, the Foxes picked up two more absentees in attack, with Abdul Fatawu and Jordan Ayew both returning from international duty early with injuries, leaving Steve Cooper with one fully fit striker - Odsonne Edouard.

The Crystal Palace striker's loan is yet to bear fruit, with no Premier League start and having been absent from the matchday squad altogether in three of the nine league games since completing his move.

Goals win games and it will be impossible for Steve Cooper to rely mostly on the services of 37-year-old Vardy for the entirety of this season.

However, the question is whether Cannon is Premier League-ready yet, having only made three appearances in the competition during his time at Everton, and only recently getting regular first-team starts for the first time in his career.

He is definitely developing, but one gets the feeling Leicester should be looking to bring in an experienced and reliable goalscorer to make their fight for Premier League survival that little bit easier.

Matt Sandoz
BBC Radio Stoke sports editor

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For the first time in a long time, it seems Tom Cannon is bringing a genuine goalscoring threat to Bet365 Stadium, but it is now up to Stoke City to get the best out of him.

Head coach Narcis Pelach has previously said that having the Republic of Ireland international on the pitch gives his team the confidence that they can score goals, and Cannon's return of seven goals in 12 starts backs that argument up.

In fact, the Potters have gone on to win every single Championship game that Cannon has scored in.

Stoke fans would now like to see more goals from open play from the 21-year-old, as four of his seven goals have come from converted penalties.

Since relegation from the Premier League in 2018, Stoke City have never finished in the top half of the Championship. However, the feeling is that if Pelach can get the best out of Cannon this season, that target is certainly achievable.

Owynn Palmer-Atkin
BBC Radio Leicester reporter

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BBC Radio Leicester's Owynn Palmer-Atkin has been answering your questions about Leicester City.

Andrew asked: With our injuries mounting up, what options do we have within the senior squad, under-21s, academy and players on loan?

Owynn answered: On the whole, I think the players who are currently out on loan will be left to continue their development.

Ben Nelson, one of the brightest sparks from the academy, has also revealed recently his own injury problems during the international break.

However, players from the under-21s could still be an option for Steve Cooper.

Leicester fans are desperate to see Will Alves get more minutes in the first team. I think we saw from his cameo away at Manchester United that he is capable at this level, and he has the desire to go onto the big stages and express himself.

Michael Golding is another young player that we haven't seen much of this season, but is clearly a player for the future.

Another player that both Leicester City and Steve Cooper admire is Jeremy Monga. He is only 15 years old, but he is currently playing with the under-21s and travelled with the first team to face Manchester United in the Carabao Cup.

Everyone that watches Monga play talks about his ability on the ball, his pace and the way he stretches the pitch, so he is one to watch out for.

Owynn Palmer-Atkin
BBC Radio Leicester reporter

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Plenty of you have written in to ask our BBC Radio Leicester expert Owynn Palmer-Atkin about the players currently on loan at King Power Stadium.

Jacob asked: How do you feel about Facundo Buonanotte? Do you think we should sign him permanently or will it just be too much money?

Owynn answered: In my view, you can see within a few minutes of watching him play that he could go right to the top.

It is difficult to believe that he is only 19 years old. He really commands his area of the pitch and is constantly demanding more from himself and his team-mates, which is crucial for any side.

I think Leicester City would love to sign him on a permanent deal but the club probably accepts that the finances may well be out of their budget. Brighton clearly have big plans for him, securing him down to a new long-term deal before his arrival at King Power Stadium on loan.

My advice would be: don't fall in love with this loan player! But appreciate what he offers to this Leicester City side, because he could prove to be a massive figure if the Foxes are to avoid the drop this season.

Mog asked: Have you got any idea of whether we can send Odsonne Edouard back to Crystal Palace in January? He is such a waste of a spot in the squad and a waste of a loan spot. Steve Cooper seemingly liked Patson Daka in pre-season, so surely Edouard will get absolutely no game time when Daka returns?

Owynn answered: Leicester could possibly cancel the loan but, depending on the small print, they may have to pay a fee to do so.

Admittedly, this move has not worked out. It is a shame because Edouard is a player that Leicester have had an eye on for some time, dating back to his stint at Celtic under Brendan Rodgers.

Daka looks like he could be in the matchday squad for Saturday's game against Chelsea, after returning from the long-term ankle injury he sustained at Lens in pre-season.

He got a lot of minutes in pre-season as well, and his pressing ability and willingness to work the channels offers a different kind of forward line for Steve Cooper.

I would expect that we will see his minutes grow towards Christmas.

Listen to every Foxes match, home and away, on BBC Radio Leicester.

Owynn Palmer-Atkin
BBC Radio Leicester reporter

Image source, Getty Images

On Thursday, BBC Radio Leicester's Owynn Palmer-Atkin has been answering your questions about Leicester City.

Britney asked: What is a small win that Steve Cooper could make to get the sceptics back on board with his decisions?

Owynn answered: My initial thought was to play Ricardo Pereira as an inverted midfielder and field two wingers,- similar to last season under Enzo Maresca.

However, with Ricardo picking up another injury and news to come on Thursday as to how long both Abdul Fatawu and Jordan Ayew are out for, that could be difficult.

Perhaps now though, during this international break, it might have been time for Cooper to look at changing formation.

At Southampton, playing three at the back worked and we saw some real attacking play that got fans out of their seats in the second half.

Could now be the time to switch? Would that help fix the leaky defence? How does the rest of the formation line up? Do they go with two strikers or two number 10s?

These are all questions that Steve Cooper and his staff are asking, I'm sure.

I have mentioned Will Alves before as well, with Foxes fans clamouring to see him play more. As an attacking threat off the bench, I think he is worth a shot and he can definitely add something different.

See how Leicester get on in their first game back after the international break and listen to every Foxes match, home and away, on BBC Radio Leicester.

Henry Brownsey
BBC Sport journalist

Leicester City boss Steve Cooper has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Chelsea (kick-off 12:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Abdul Fatawu was injured on international duty with Ghana and Cooper said it is "not good - a serious ACL [anterior cruciate ligament] injury that's going to rule him out for the rest of the season. A real blow."

• He said the 20-year-old needs to be supported so his rehab and return is "as smooth as possible" to come back "as a stronger player and person."

• Cooper believes Ricardo Pereira "will be a good ally in the medical room" after the Portuguese defender suffered a similar injury previously.

• Forward Jordan Ayew also came back injured from international duty but Cooper said "it's not a serious injury and the hope is he may be available for the weekend".

• In more positive news, Patson Daka is available for Saturday's game and Jamie Vardy has been having modified training. Cooper will judge where he is at before the game.

• Finally on team news, Bobby De Cordova-Reid is making progress in recovering from a cut sustained against Manchester United in the Carabao Cup: " [He] has been back on the training pitch. The hope is that he reports today and the cut doesn't open again."

• Cooper believes the injuries mean it's "a real opportunity to bring us closer together and show who we really are."

• On Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who led the Foxes to promotion last season: "Enzo did a brilliant job getting the club back to the Premier League. He's gone on and had a more than strong start at Chelsea. We know we're coming up against a talented team with a really good coach. It's a game which is a real test but one we need to embrace and be ready for."

• Cooper was passionate about Leicester's position in the Premier League: "I knew how hard this challenge was going to be on and off the pitch this year. It has proven to be exactly that. We're fully aware of the environment we're in."

• He was therefore quite reflective on the season so far: "When you look back, it's been a bit of everything. There's been some decent results and then the opposite of that. We always want more. The league position is OK and if it stayed like this, a lot of people would be satisfied, but I want more."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Owynn Palmer-Atkin
BBC Radio Leicester reporter

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Leicester City expert Owynn Palmer-Atkin has been taking your questions and we'll be running his answers throughout Thursday.

Ned asked: It's the end of the season and we have stayed up - should we continue with our previous transfers strategy and sell a top player? Who is most likely to be sold and how much would you accept for them?

Owynn answered: It is a strategy that I think the club have to stick to, in order to raise the necessary funds to invest at the level required.

However, it was pretty obvious who those top players were over the last few seasons - Wesley Fofana, James Maddison, Harvey Barnes and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have brought in around £200m to Leicester City alone.

But who is the next big money, sellable asset?

Both Wilfred Ndidi and Abdul Fatawu hold big value to Leicester City - they are both on new contracts which helps to add an insurance for the club. Ndidi has bags of Premier League experience, while Fatawu is an exciting young winger with explosive abilities.

But, for me, that next big sale could come in the form of Mads Hermansen.

The desire and need for a goalkeeper to be able to be comfortable on the ball, be able to play forward-line splitting passes and of course be a great shot-stopper is big.

He is the definition of a modern goalkeeper, and his performances so far this season show that he is made for the Premier League level.

It would not surprise me in the slightest if big money offers begin to come in for him, and they may be offers that Leicester City aren't able to turn down.

Download and subscribe to the When You're Smiling: A Leicester City Podcast for the best access to the latest talking points at King Power Stadium.

And listen to every Foxes match, home and away, on BBC Radio Leicester.

Owynn Palmer-Atkin
BBC Radio Leicester reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Over the course of Thursday, BBC Radio Leicester's Owynn Palmer-Atkin will be answering your questions about all things Leicester City.

Nick asked: Any idea why our finances suddenly plummeted? We were pushing top four, but then we couldn't compete financially. Does Top have the backing to continue his father's dream?

Owynn answered: After Leicester City won the FA Cup in 2021, the club continued to invest heavily to back the then manager Brendan Rodgers. In fact, that summer they hit their biggest ever net spend to bring Patson Daka, Boubakary Soumare, Jannik Vestergaard and Ademola Lookman to the club.

That was all done with the intention of helping the side gain that extra couple of percent needed to get over the top four barrier and qualify for the Champions League again.

As we know, that didn't happen. Leicester finished fifth and got to the semi-finals of the Conference League.

The club then couldn't continue that level of spending without the guarantee of Champions League cash, which props up a lot of the transfer business top sides do, so they decided to revert back to the old system that served them so well before.

Sell a key player and reinvest in the squad.

Ultimately, they sold Wesley Fofana in the summer of 2022 and were relegated.

Download and subscribe to the When You're Smiling: A Leicester City Podcast for the best access to the latest talking points at King Power Stadium.

And listen to every Foxes match, home and away, on BBC Radio Leicester.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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The return of Enzo Maresca to King Power Stadium with Chelsea on Saturday will take the spotlight.

The title-winning head coach, who took Leicester back to the Premier League before moving to Stamford Bridge, deserves a place in the Foxes' history books.

But the club needs to move forward and Maresca's comeback has to be a footnote in the big picture. While it was a successful, brief spell - even if there were some grumblings about the patient style last term - there is little point dwelling on the past.

Steve Cooper has been trying to implement his vision into the team since replacing him but that naturally takes time and the squad are still taking on board the instructions having been playing in such a specific way under Maresca.

With that work, Leicester have been steadily improving, with the exception of last month's poor 3-1 defeat by Nottingham Forest. Snatching a late point against Ipswich means they have still not lost to a team below them this season.

The struggles of those below still leave the Foxes in a solid position, although it remains precarious given that any drop-off would, most likely, see them slip into the bottom three.

The progress of moving away from the Maresca era has been slow but it is happening - and while a title-winning manager should not be forgotten, it is important to look to the future.