Premier League team guide: Leicester in the spotlight

After consecutive fifth-place finishes and an FA Cup triumph, last season was something of a disappointment for Leicester. 

Robbed of key players Jamie Vardy, Wesley Fofana and James Justin through injury for long periods, the Foxes still won the Community Shield and made it to the Europa Conference League semi-finals. 

But more will be expected this term — even if Brendan Rodgers has been frustrated in his attempts to refresh the squad.

Last season: Eighth

Just two wins in their first seven Premier League games gave some indication of the struggles that lay ahead for Leicester, who only won consecutive matches on three occasions. 

Defensive injuries to Fofana, Justin and Jonny Evans — as well as two lengthy spells on the sidelines for talisman Vardy — made it impossible to build any sort of consistency. 

Knocked out of their Europa League group, the Foxes dropped into the new Europa Conference League where they were eventually vanquished by winners Roma in the semis. 

Three wins from their final four were enough to sneak into eighth place. However, the Foxes conceded six more goals than relegated Burnley — something to work on this term.

New faces

At the time of writing, Leicester are the only Premier League side yet to make a signing during the transfer window. 

That is expected to change, however, with Rodgers stating his desire to sign five or six new players this summer.

Potential line-up

4-1-4-1: Schmeichel; Pereira, Fofana, Evans, Justin; Ndidi; Perez, Maddison, Tielemans, Barnes; Vardy. 

With no new signings in the building yet, Leicester look set to be unchanged this season — at least to begin with. 

Long-serving No1 Kasper Schmeichel continues in goal with Ricardo Pereira and the fit-again trio of Fofana, Evans and Justin in front of him. 

Protecting the backline will be the tireless Wilfred Ndidi. Ahead of him are the more attacking Ayoze Perez, James Maddison, Youri Tielemans and Harvey Barnes. 

Up front it is Vardy who gets the nod. He will turn 36 this season and may be forced to share striking duties with Kelechi Iheanacho and Patson Daka, though.

Star man: James Maddison

While it was a difficult campaign for Leicester as a whole, Maddison enjoyed his most prolific season yet for the Foxes. 

The 25-year-old bagged 12 Premier League goals and supplied eight assists — his best return in four seasons at the King Power Stadium. 

Yet despite recording 20 goal contributions in the league, the former Coventry and Norwich star continues to be overlooked by England boss Gareth Southgate. 

With the World Cup pushed back to November, the attacking midfielder will need a flying start to the new term if he is to finally force his way into Southgate's thinking.

Up-and-comer: Daniel Iversen

With Schmeichel turning 36 in November and entering the final year of his contract, countryman Daniel Iversen could be the Dane's long-term heir. 

Iversen, 25, shone on loan at Preston last season where he was an ever-present and won Player of the Year. 

He had already spent the back half of the 2020-21 campaign on loan at North End after a loan spell with sister club OH Leuven was cut short. 

But Iversen has yet to make his Leicester debut. Brought back into the fold this off-season, the 6ft 4in keeper has been getting plenty of minutes and could get some involvement in the cups.

The boss: Brendan Rodgers

Since joining Leicester in February 2019, Rodgers has overseen the Foxes' most consistent period of modern-day success. 

The 49-year-old has achieved two fifth-place finishes as well as winning the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2021. 

After cutting his managerial teeth at Watford, Rodgers rebounded from disappointment at Reading to deliver promotion with Swansea before joining Liverpool. 

Agonisingly close to delivering Liverpool's first Premier League trophy until Steven Gerrard's infamous Chelsea slip, Rodgers got his hands on two league titles at Celtic before quitting to return to the Premier League.

All information correct as of 11am, July 28, 2022