By admin 
Only a week until Enzo Maresca’s first training session at Seagrave and begins working with his Leicester City side ahead of the new season. But, before that, he can continue to analyze and mold the group with which he will be working.
We’re looking at each department of the City squad ahead of the club’s rebirth this summer. We’ve already looked at the goalkeepers and defense, so it’s time to evaluate the midfield.
Based on the limited information available on how a Maresca club will set up and play, it appears that a dominant, collected, technically-sound midfield is crucial. In that case, it is the region on which the City should concentrate its efforts this summer.
Youri Tielemans and Papy Mendy have already departed on free transfers, and they will not be the last. James Maddison will almost definitely be moved to Tottenham or Newcastle, the offensive midfielder a prized asset that City cannot afford to lose with only one year left on his contract.
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Then there’s Dennis Praet, whose time at the club has run its course. He will likely go to Italy. Wilfred Ndidi could go too, with only one year left on his contract. He may have been well short of his best form last season, but at his best, he is an excellent player for any Premier League club to have in their squad.
That would leave City five midfielders down, and that may not be the end of the exits there. Boubakary Soumare is an interesting case. If Maresca can take the best parts of his game and help him spread those across 90 minutes every week, he would be a superb player to have in the Championship. But after two years, it’s not clear if any manager will be able to guarantee that consistency from the Frenchman, and so City may cut their losses.
That leaves City with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Hamza Choudhury, the latter back from a loan spell at Watford. If Maresca is to play 4-3-3 as he has often done in the past, then he will probably require six senior central midfielders in his squad. So even if Soumare stays, that’s three signings that City must make.
Finding a talented attacking midfielder, somebody who can attempt to fill Maddison’s boots, is the deal City may have to spend the most cash on. Signing a player like Tielemans is another must, somebody who can move the ball up the pitch and turn defence into attack.
What City do have already in Dewsbury-Hall is somebody who can be one of the division’s best players. The last time he was at this level, he won Luton’s player of the season award, making big contributions in all areas of the pitch.
That season, there were only three players in the Championship who ranked in the top 15 for both progressive passes and progressive carries: Harvey Elliott, now of Liverpool; Michael Olise, now of Crystal Palace; and Dewsbury-Hall. He’s had two years of development since then too, and so has a better understanding of the tactical and off-the-ball sides of the game.
While in his second full season as a City player last term there was more scrutiny of his performances, and it led to criticism, he should be one of the first names on the teamsheet in the new season. He should be able to top the three goals and six assists he got with Luton in 20-21 too.
As for Choudhury, it is difficult to know if he will be a starter or not. What is clear is that at Championship level, he is excellent at regaining possession, ranking second for tackles and interceptions in the division last season, and having played the equivalent of 11 fewer matches than the player who finished top of that chart.
However, if the emphasis is on possession, Choudhury may not have many chances to win the ball back. In that instance, Maresca might prefer a deep-lying midfielder with strong ball retention and progression skills.
because description absolutely matches Sammy Braybrooke, and it’s a tragedy for him and Will Alves, as well as Maresca and the fans, because neither will be able to play until close to Christmas. They are City’s top two prospects, and both are rehabbing from ACL injuries sustained in the winter.
Neither has played league football yet, but their potential suggests they are both good enough to be in the senior squad and contribute when completely fit. Braybrooke already has game intelligence above his years and moves the ball well while driving forward, while Alves has quick feet and dribbling skills to cause difficulties for defenses.
However, given their lengthy absences, it may take them some time to catch up, so expecting them to make a huge effect this season may be unrealistic. This highlights the importance of City making the correct midfield signings this summer.