After a surprising relegation from the top-flight last season, Leicester City has not failed to meet expectations as favorites for promotion. The Premier League caliber of players such as Wilfred Ndidi, Ricardo Pereira, and former Tottenham player Harry Winks has been evident.
Barring an unforeseen collapse, the Foxes are poised to make their return to the Premier League and appear on track to secure their second Championship title in a decade. They previously claimed the second-tier trophy in 2014 before their famous Premier League victory in 2016.
While the Foxes are soaring high, success also brings its challenges, with high-profile clubs eyeing key players and those lacking game time potentially growing discontent. As a result, the King Power Stadium is expected to see departures in the upcoming January transfer window, as Enzo Maresca and his team brace themselves for potentially significant changes in the East Midlands.
One player who might depart against the Foxes’ wishes is holding midfielder and Nigerian international Ndidi. He has staked a genuine claim as one of the Championship’s best midfielders, showcasing a creative side to his game that was arguably absent in the Premier League.
Notably, Ndidi excelled as one of the finest holding midfielders during Leicester’s fifth-place finish in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons, including their victorious FA Cup campaign under then-manager Brendan Rogers.
Meanwhile, Barcelona’s prospects for clinching the La Liga title this season seem uncertain, especially with Jude Bellingham’s emergence as a goal-scoring sensation and Real Madrid’s resurgence. Girona, this season’s surprise package, also cannot be discounted, having already defeated Barca this season and facing fellow contenders Atletico Madrid in early January.
With Barca seeking reinforcements, the potential signing of Ndidi could bolster a team currently facing challenges, despite former dominance in their past. Xavi, under pressure for the first time in his tenure as Barca’s boss, could benefit from such a significant addition.
In Mads Hermansen, Leicester arguably possesses the Championship’s top goalkeeper, while Maresca also boasts a strong roster, including Alex Smithies, Danny Ward, and Daniel Iversen as backup options. Notably, Iversen, who had 12 Premier League starts last season, is yet to make an appearance this season, prompting speculation about his potential departure, given his age and recent lack of game time.
Considering Iversen’s career stage, selling him may be in the player’s best interest, especially given his recent top-flight experience. This could present an opportunity for his career progression, particularly considering his recent lack of game time compared to his more experienced counterparts, Ward and Smithies.
