Even as the summer transfer window closed in early September, promoted Leicester City knew they would have to go back into the market come January.
Steve Cooper, Leicester’s new manager at the time, was targeting at least two mid-season signings — a central defender and a winger — who would improve his starting 11. When he was sacked after 12 games, with Leicester just outside the Premier League’s relegation zone, assurances that there would be an opportunity to strengthen in this winter window were part of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s negotiations before he agreed to succeed Cooper at the start of last month.
The Dutchman was told there would be funds available, despite continued concerns over breaching profitability and sustainability rules (PSR), but the assumption that another couple of signings would make the difference now seems an extremely modest estimation.
In a run of five consecutive defeats, the most recent being Saturday’s 2-1 away loss against Aston Villa, Leicester have conceded 14 goals and scored just twice and are one place off the bottom of the table, two points from safety. It must now be apparent to Van Nistelrooy that the squad he inherited from the Welshman is fundamentally flawed.
The fight to avoid a second relegation in three seasons was always going to be a tough one, even with all their key players fit. But Leicester have been without experienced duo Ricardo Pereira and Wilfred Ndidi for a big chunk of the season through injury, while talented youngster Abdul Fatawu, who only completed his £14million ($17.37m at current conversion rates) permanent move from Sporting CP of Lisbon in the summer following a successful year with Leicester on loan, has been ruled out for the entire season with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury.
Worryingly, there appears to be no timeline for the return of Mads Hermansen. The goalkeeper had arguably been Leicester’s most impressive performer this season until he limped off at Newcastle United last month with a groin problem, although he has had plenty of opportunities to impress given the amount of work he had been called upon to do.
Leicester have conceded 44 goals in the league this season (Photo by Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images)
In his first game as the manager, it was clear what Van Nistelrooy’s priority would be. Even in that 3-1 home win against West Ham United, the opposition had 31 shots on goal.
Only Southampton, already eight points adrift at the bottom of the table, and Brentford have faced more shots on their goal this season, combining those on and off target. Leicester have conceded 44 goals, joint-highest in the division with Southampton, and have kept a single clean sheet in their 20 matches.
To counter this clear weakness, Van Nistelrooy changed the first-choice central defensive pairing and until the trip to Villa Park had then stuck with the same back four, believing experience and consistency were important to improve his side defensively. Victor Kristiansen’s absence through illness at the weekend was the first enforced change to the unit since the former Manchester United striker took over.
By half-time, Villa had attempted just three shots and put only one on target, though they were missing Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers, two players who have contributed to around half of their goals this season.
There had been signs of improvement in previous games, too. But good work is being repeatedly undone by the sort of individual lapses that, at Premier League level, will consistently be punished. These errors are costing Leicester dearly.
Jannik Vestergaard’s headed clearance for Villa’s first goal went straight to Ross Barkley and the former England midfielder had far too much time and space just outside the penalty area to set himself for his 58th-minute strike. For the winner, which came 13 minutes after Stephy Mavididi had equalised, James Justin should have gone long rather than trying to play out from inside his own 18-yard box.
But it isn’t just at the back where Leicester are struggling. Their first-half defensive improvement came at a cost. By half-time, they had managed one shot on goal — a Bilal El Khannouss effort that flew high and wide into the Holte End. They had just one touch in the opposition box in the opening 45 minutes and their expected goals (xG) figure at the break was just 0.05, and yet there was no question Leicester seemed the happier of the two teams as they headed indoors for their half-time cuppa.
Jordan Ayew got the start in attack against his first English club because of his experience and leadership but while the 33-year-old did play a major role in Mavididi’s 63rd-minute leveller he doesn’t offer the side the same vitality and energy as Facundo Buonanotte, the Brighton loanee who only left his teens a couple of days before Christmas.
Buonanotte has not had many starting opportunities under Ruud van Nistelrooy (Photo by Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images)
The young Argentinian has been one of the few sparks of hope for Leicester this season, especially when teamed with fellow new signing El Khannouss. Both looked bright in the 2-0 loss against Manchester City in what was only Buonanotte’s second start since Van Nistelrooy’s arrival, the other being that first game against West Ham a month earlier.
Buonanotte has four goals and two assists this season and has also created more chances than any other Leicester player, averaging 1.7 of those per game. But it is becoming apparent he doesn’t fit into the structure that Van Nistelrooy is attempting to create, especially away from home.
“I think that it’s a foundation that we all feel we are creating in five weeks together,” the manager said after the defeat at Villa. “The disappointment comes with not converting these performances into points because of one or two situations that we haven’t handled well in the game.
“So, structurally, we are working on something. I think it’s visible.”
This chosen structure, a three-box-three with the ball and 4-4-2 out of possession, is important, but without the players to enact the game plan, it will not count for much over the rest of this season.
Leicester, now on their longest league losing streak since six in a row under Brendan Rodgers early in the 2022-23 relegation season, have changed manager again but haven’t experienced the upturn in fortunes that can come with such a switch.
January is now becoming a hugely pivotal month in their season. The transfer window is open until February 3 and there is a chance to strengthen, if they can find the available talent and funds to make a difference.
This month’s remaining league fixtures, at home to Crystal Palace and Fulham then a trip to Tottenham, could also decide whether they have a realistic chance of survival.
Leicester are second bottom but haven’t been cut adrift yet. There are just three points between them and Everton — where they go on February 1 — in the safety of 16th place, but they can’t afford any more mistakes, on or off the pitch.
(Top photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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