Leicester City is now the clear favorite to win the Championship title, especially after Ipswich Town’s recent slump in form. If this were to happen, it would be a remarkable first season for Enzo Maresca as an English manager.
Maresca, the Foxes head coach, benefited from significant players being retained by the team’s leadership, as well as from smart recruitment and the players’ ability to adapt to his progressive style of play.
One of the new arrivals this summer, defender Callum Doyle, has been instrumental in shaping Maresca’s defensive unit when fit, and it looks like he might have a future at the King Power Stadium.
Maresca’s connections to the Premier League champions, stemming from his time as an assistant coach to Pep Guardiola, led to the successful acquisition of Doyle, who has previously been on loan with Sunderland and Leicester’s rivals Coventry City.
The loan deal has been successful, with Doyle featuring regularly when not injured, and Leicester reportedly wants to make the move permanent in the near future.
Although Leicester has an obligation to buy winger Abdul Fatawu when he reaches a certain number of games, there is no option to buy Doyle from Man City, indicating the high regard in which the City ownership holds him.
However, Maresca is keen to make it happen, and if Leicester secures Premier League promotion this year, they are likely to explore a deal for the 20-year-old.
Since picking up a knee injury in September, Doyle has been limited to just nine Championship appearances in the 2023-24 season. However, with his return to fitness, he is expected to reclaim his place in the starting 11, playing as an inverted full-back in possession and forming a back three.
While Doyle’s contract with Man City could last until 2028, the club already has a strong defense, and it might be some time before he can secure a regular spot in the starting 11 there.
Leicester may look to propose a buy-back clause for Doyle, similar to those included in Aston Villa’s agreements for young talents Cameron Archer and Jaden Philogene, providing a potential path for him to return.
No matter how it unfolds, it seems unlikely that Doyle will make a breakthrough at Man City anytime soon, but he certainly has a place at Leicester.
