Leicester City: To buy or not to buy in January transfer window?
Published:
Matt Haynes | December 21, 2015
Leicester City are 10/1 third favourites with Coral to win the Premier League and all of a sudden are starting to look like a realistic prospect.
Foxes to go hunting?
January is absolutely crucial. Bigger teams than the Foxes have folded following being in first place at Christmas and usually the winter window has had something to do with this.
It is hard to believe that 12 months ago Leicester were bottom of the Premier League. What is more astonishing, is that they are now top, with pretty much the same squad of players, minus Esteban Cambiasso.
Star players Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez are attracting the interest of a number clubs and the Foxes’ resolve could well be put to the test if lucrative bids are made.
However, if Leicester are going to win the league, January could well be a key month. They also, handily have substantial cash reserves and are now in a position to attract quality.
Ranieri to tinker?
Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri is renowned for altering his team selections, having earned the name ‘Tinkerman’ while in charge of Chelsea.
This season, though, he has been remarkably consistent. When quizzed about January recently he could not have been more dismissive.
“I have a very good team, and a very good team spirit; they are friendly with each and they help each other,” Ranieri revealed. “If you get one, two three [new] players you might break the dressing room.
“I have managed a lot of top teams and there were a lot of great players. Maybe here there aren’t those great players but there is a team with great spirit. And I believe there are great players inside them, which nobody saw before. To do this is ok for one, two three matches not for six months.”
This suggests that Vardy and Mahrez will stay at least until the summer, though, for the former, having come from non-league football, a lucrative move to Manchester United along with a huge signing bonus would certainly test his resolve.
Related
Check out what else is trending in the Premier League.
