Enzo Maresca is already getting to work on preparing his Leicester City squad ahead of their return to the Premier League.

The Foxes return to the top-flight may coincide with the departure of club legend Jamie Vardy, and as a result, Leicester City are searching for a replacement.

According to GIVEMESPORT, Leicester City are eyeing Sammie Szmodics from Blackburn Rovers, recognising his talent as the Championship’s recent Golden Boot winner.

Despite playing for a team in relegation battles, Szmodics shone scoring an emphatic 27 goals in the Championship this term, showcasing his versatility as an attacking midfielder and centre-forward.

This move echoes how former Coventry player Viktor Gyokeres has flourished in Europe this season after proving himself in the Championship, emphasising the potential of true goal scorers to excel at higher levels.

That being said, Szmodics, despite his impressive campaign, he has far from been a natural goalscorer throughout his career.

Should Leicester City sign Sammie Szmodics to replace Jamie Vardy?

Sammie Szmodics has undoubtedly had a remarkable season, yet it’s worth noting that this is the first time he’s achieved double figures in the Championship, with only one previous season reaching such heights in League One.

While this doesn’t necessarily indicate a one-season wonder scenario, it does stand out significantly as an outlier in his career trajectory.

Moreover, his contribution in terms of assists hasn’t been particularly notable either, suggesting that while he’s shown flashes of brilliance, consistency in both goal scoring and playmaking might be areas for further development and scrutiny.

The post Leicester City plan the signing of top scorer as Jamie Vardy replacement appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Leicester City have gained promotion to the Premier League after winning the Championship.

The Foxes only spent one season in the second tier of English football after their relegation.

The former Premier League champions outclassed all their opponents in the Championship and won it by earning 97 points.

However, the Foxes have one thing to be concerned about as they prepare to embark on their Premier League journey again.

Their leading goal scorer Jamie Vardy’s contract is about to expire soon and the club should do everything in their power to make sure that the striker stays at the club.

The former England international scored 20 goals this season to take Leicester back to the Premier League.

One of the club’s captains, Ricardo Pereira, wants the Foxes to keep hold of the experienced striker as they would need his quality and experience next season in the top flight.

“He’s an important player with history here,” Ricardo said, as reported by Leicestershire Live.

“Everybody loves him. He’s an experienced player who will help the young lads who haven’t played in the Premier League yet. It’s important to have him. So let’s see what happens.”

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Vardy has previously won the Golden Boot in the Premier League during his spell in England’s top division.

The striker has shown what it takes to perform at the top level. It remains to be seen if he can do the same again, this time at the age of 37.

During his illustrious career, Vardy has received many offers and opportunities to leave the club and join a team with better chances of challenging for silverware.

But the prolific striker has remained loyal to his team and once again guided them to success.

Leicester City have the perfect captain in Vardy

Vardy invited other club captains Marc Albrighton and Ricardo Pereira to lift the Championship trophy with him.

The striker is not only a great player but also someone who knows how to keep the squad happy and together.

Under the leadership of Enzo Maresca, it will be exciting to see how Leicester perform in the Premier League.

The post Ricardo Pereira urges Leicester to agree deal with goal machine appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has encouraged Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy to complete an unexpected summer transfer to Wrexham.

After leading the team to the Championship title and back to the Premier League this season, Vardy’s contract with the Foxes expires this summer, and manager Enzo Maresca has already suggested that the striker will be offered a new contract.

Vardy scored 18 goals in the second division this season to help Leicester secure promotion back to the Premier League.

The legendary player from Leicester, who was essential to their historic FA Cup victory in 2021 and Premier League victory in 2015–16, reached yet another significant milestone.

Vardy’s career has been a fairytale story as the striker came up from non-league football to the top flight of English football and also guided his team to the league title.

Ferdinand stated on Vibe with FIVE:

“He’s got to play another season in the Premier League. I want to see him get a couple of goals in the Premier League, it’s nice. The only club I’d like him to go to if he leaves is Wrexham.

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“It’s got that Hollywood feel and he’s had a bit of a Hollywood career.”

Wrexham, who are owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, are preparing for life in League One following their second consecutive promotion.

Vardy’s age hasn’t prevented Wrexham from attempting to persuade him to transfer to Wales this summer, as club director Humphrey Ker has stated they wouldn’t be “put off” by it.

Jamie Vardy would be a blockbuster signing for Wrexham

Even though the Welsh team’s playing level would be far worse than Leicester’s the next season, Reynolds and McElhenney, the club’s famous owners, are adept at luring big personalities to the side.

Wrexham have benefited from consecutive promotions from the National League up to the third division under the actors’ leadership.

The post Jamie Vardy backed to seal Wrexham move by Premier League legend appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Jamie Vardy, the veteran striker and long-time Leicester City talisman, has been linked with a surprise move to Wrexham, the club owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

Despite being 37 years old, Vardy has continued to shine on the pitch, playing a pivotal role in Leicester’s return to the Premier League after their relegation last season.

He maintained his impressive goal-scoring record, scoring 18 goals in 35 league games this season.

The Foxes’ all-time leading goalscorer has been with Leicester since 2012, but his contract is set to expire this summer.

Wrexham not ruling out a move for Vardy

While there is a possibility of him signing an extension and continuing his tenure with Leicester for a 13th season, reports from The Sun suggest that Wrexham are considering a sensational move for the striker.

Wrexham’s recent success, securing back-to-back promotions under the ownership of Reynolds and McElhenney, has propelled them to League One, marking a significant achievement for the club.

In light of their newfound status, the prospect of recruiting a player of Vardy’s caliber has sparked intrigue among fans and pundits alike.

When questioned about the potential acquisition of Vardy, Reynolds expressed openness to the idea, stating (quotes via Sport Bible):

“There’s nothing to say that Jamie Vardy wouldn’t be a great Wrexham player. It’s not a name I’ve had mentioned inside the building before. But, you know, age and profile wouldn’t put us off.”

While Vardy’s future remains uncertain, the prospect of him donning the red and white of Wrexham would undoubtedly be an exciting chapter for the club.

The post Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy linked with a surprise move away appeared first on CaughtOffside.

In his exclusive column for CaughtOffside, former Aston Villa attacker Stan Collymore discusses some of football’s biggest talking points, including Bruno Fernandes’ Man United future, who should be crowned this season’s ‘Player of the Season’ and what the future could have in store for Liverpool, plus much more.

—————————————————————————

Bruno Fernandes… Sell or keep?

Let him go!

Very good player? Yes! — Captain material? Absolutely not.

The fact that he hinted earlier this week that he could be up for a move away tells me that he doesn’t have the stomach for the fight, doesn’t believe in the future project and wants a bit of the easy life — something you just don’t ever get at United.

For me, along with Paul Pogba, Harry Maguire and Antony he’ll be a poster boy for the era at United where promise was abundant but excuses and not delivering were the reality.

Sell and move on!

My pick for this season’s ‘Player of the Year’

There are a number of candidates this year and the refreshing thing is that most are young and with their best years well ahead of them.

Phil Foden, Martin Odegaard and Cole Palmer have all had fantastic seasons but if I had to pick one of them it would have to be Foden.

He isn’t just creative, he delivers goals himself. He is dynamic, drives his team forward and stands up to be counted when it matters most.

Hopefully he can replicate this current form for England at the Euros, because if he does, along with Palmer too, then England’s young lions may well take us to glory.

Well done Phil, brilliant season!

Michael Edwards has his work cut out at Liverpool

So did Jurgen Klopp telling the world that he was moving on help or hinder Liverpool?

Many now have made the simple deduction that because Liverpool are labouring at the tail end of the season, Klopp’s announcement only made things worse. I completely disagree.

There’s as much evidence from players’ mouths as you need that they were motivated and ready to win multiple silverware in the master’s final season, even a quad was on the cards a month or more ago, but the reality is a lot simpler.

Liverpool haven’t been good enough in key positions this season. Darwin Nunez has been wasteful and the questions about him and Cody Gakpo being good enough for Liverpool won’t go away. The only player that’s been a resounding success is Alexis Mac Allister — he’s had a stunning season.

And then there’s the slightly concerning Mo Salah vs Klopp situation. A frustrated player venting off steam? Or a bigger-than-the-club type whose influence will grow when the manager goes just as his star will naturally decline? — One thing’s for sure, Michael Edwards is going to have to get it right and earn his corn this summer and support the new manager big time.

And, with a potentially rejuvenated Man United with Spurs, Aston Villa Villa, West Ham and Newcastle champing at the bit to get top-four, Chelsea’s young pups coming good, and Arsenal becoming Man City’s new big rivals, could a drop off for many years to come be on the cards for Liverpool? — I think it’s very possible.

Jamie Vardy… LEGEND!

Quite incredible yet again for Jamie Vardy.

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Lower league whippet, promotions with the Foxes, Nessun Dorma at the King Power as he wins the Premier League, relegated and “he’s finished” to back being a Premier League player, Champion of the Championship and a winning goal in front of 5,000 fans at Preston. What a legend!

Nottingham Forest vs. Everton VAR review

So after I got pelters from Forest fans last week after having the temerity to say I didn’t think Forest had three penalty shouts against Everton, we’ve finally had the independent panel (three former players and coaches plus a PGMOL and Premier League representative) judgement on the decisions.

No penalty for Gio Reyna going down too easily, as I said. Check.

No penalty for Ashley Young handball as his arm was in a natural position, as I said. Check.

And lastly, the panel concluded that Young on Callum Hudson Odoi was a penalty, but…

The Premier League then released the audio of the Young / Hudson Odoi incident and to be honest, I still, like Sturt Atwell, think it was a tussle. A 50/50 instead of the conspiracy theory that he “wiped him out”.

But I’ll take the L on the last one and be happy, because, as once Meatloaf said — two outta three ain’t bad!

The post Collymore’s column: Who deserves to win ‘Player of the Season’, what the future looks like at Liverpool without Jurgen Klopp and should Man United keep or sell Bruno Fernandes? appeared first on CaughtOffside.

There’s bound to be another festival atmosphere at the King Power Stadium this weekend, as Leicester City sign off their 2023/24 Championship campaign in front of their own supporters.

Already guaranteed the title, the Foxes can get to the mythical total of 100 points with a win against Blackburn on Saturday lunchtime.

Leicester could lose up to 12 players this summer

Getting straight back into the English top-flight was always the aim for Enzo Maresca, and though Leicester roared into what looked to be an unassailable lead at the top of the table, they were eventually reeled in and have been swapping places with Leeds United and Ipswich Town over the past few weeks.

Fortunately they found form again at just the right time to get themselves over the line and that will guarantee another party in the Midlands.

Whilst promotion is obviously a hugely positive step for the club, it does mean that they will lose some players and for a variety of reasons.

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Indeed, a fire sale of as many as 12 players has been suggested by Leicestershire Live.

Marc Albrighton, Kelechi Iheanacho, Dennis Praet, Wilfred Ndidi, Jannik Vestergaard, Yunus Akgun, Callum Doyle, Abdul Fatawu, Harry Souttar, Danny Ward, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jamie Vardy could all be playing their final matches for the club.

The post Leicester fire sale as a dozen players could leave this summer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy is involved in talks with the club about extending his contract.

In the Foxes’ 3-0 victory against Preston on Monday, the talismanic forward scored twice to secure the Championship title and increase his season total to 20 goals.

As per his current contract, their next match will be his last at the club.

However, according to the Daily Mail, though the talks will be tough, Vardy and Leicester are both open to a new one-year deal in the top flight.

Vardy has been Leicester’s top earner for a long time, but the team has been accused of exceeding spending regulations and might lose points the next season.

Yet they both have such a high regard for one another that they will put in a lot of effort to come up with a solution.

Speaking to Leicestershire Live, Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca expressed his confidence that Jamie Vardy will stay with the team beyond the end of this season.

These remarks were made following the Foxes’ thrilling 3-0 victory over Preston North End on the road and their outstanding performance at Deepdale last night, which sealed the league championship.

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The seasoned attacker has scored a good amount of goals this season, but he could have scored more given the good situations he’s been in.

He’s also had more opportunities to shine than Tom Cannon, Patson Daka, and Kelechi Iheanacho.

Speaking last night about the future of Vardy, the manager said:

“We have a game on Saturday and then we’ll sit, but my feeling is that he’s going to stay. This is just my feeling, but if I were to decide…”

Leicester City will have to rely on Vardy

Given that he hasn’t received much playing time this season, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Iheanacho leave when his contract ends in the summer.

For a significant portion of the season, Daka hasn’t lived up to expectations, and Maresca could be hesitant to use Cannon much in the Premier League.

Due to their financial fair play condition, already having an experienced and reliable striker would help the club financially as they will not have to spend any transfer fee.

The post Major update on Vardy’s Leicester future less than 24 hours after winning Championship title appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Leicester City have secured automatic promotion back to the Premier League and they will be hoping to establish themselves as top-flight regulars now.

However, popular pundit Ryan Dilks has predicted that the Foxes will find it difficult to survive in the Premier League, and they could come back down to the Championship at the end of the season.

“I think they’ll struggle in the Premier League,” Dilks admitted on the Second Tier Podcast.

“I mean first of all there’s the strong possibility of a points deduction, which obviously isn’t a great start. Then there is just so much uncertainty heading into next season with regards to transfers.

“The big question is how long will this transfer embargo last, who really knows at this stage.”

Leicester City have a difficult season ahead of themselves, especially with the number of key players expected to move on in the summer. Six first-team players are reportedly close to becoming free agents, including Jamie Vardy, Jannik Vestergaard and Wilfried Ndidi.

In addition to that, players like Abdul Fatawu, Callum Doyle and Yunus Akgun will return to their parent clubs upon the expiry of their loan deals.

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It will be interesting to see if the Foxes can replace these players during the summer transfer window and improve their squad significantly. They will need to bring in better players in order to do well in the top flight.

However, their finances are in a precarious situation and they could easily flout the financial regulations this summer. In that case, they could be handed a points deduction, which would be a devastating blow for them.

It remains to be seen how the situation develops over the next few weeks. It is evident that Enzo Maresca and Leicester City have a crucial summer window ahead of themselves now as they look to establish themselves as a Premier League club once again.

The post Pundit predicts where Leicester will finish in the Premier League appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Jamie Vardy let West Brom fans know that they are staying down after Leicester City’s 2-1 win on Saturday evening.

The Foxes went two points clear at the top of the Championship on Saturday afternoon after beating West Brom 2-1 at the King Power Stadium.

With Leicester now looking like they have all but secured promotion back to the Premier League with just three games left this season, it is a different story completely for the Baggies.

Currently fifth in the Championship table, West Brom will have to try and make it through the play-offs if they want to secure promotion.

Vardy made sure to let them know that after Saturday’s victory as he gestured that they are staying down after his sides win on Saturday.

Jamie Vardy saying to WBA Fans that they’re staying down #LCFC pic.twitter.com/B5AuED8dMN

— FosseHub (@FosseHub) April 20, 2024

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

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The post Video: Jamie Vardy sends cheeky message to West Brom fans after 2-1 win appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Leicester City midfielder Wilfried Ndidi and striker Jamie Vardy are expected to leave the club at the end of the season.

Vardy is in the twilight stages of his career and he has not been a regular starter for the Foxes. He will be hoping to move on in search of regular playing time at the end of the season. According to reports, Wilfried Ndidi has had persistent injury problems and his long-term future at the club is in doubt now.

Leicester are currently pushing for promotion back to the Premier League and they will need to improve their squad if they manage to return to the top flight.

They will be hoping to establish themselves as a top-flight club once again and they need better players at their disposal. It will be interesting to see if they can bring in adequate replacements at the end of the season.

The likes of Vardy and Ndidi are on massive wages as well. Their departure will free up the Leicester City wage bill as well.

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Meanwhile, striker Kelechi Iheanacho is also expected to leave the club in the summer.

It seems that the Foxes could be in for a major overhaul during the summer transfer window.

For now, Enzo Maresca will be fully focused on his team’s push for promotion and it remains to be seen whether he can lead them into back to the top flight.

The post Experienced Leicester duo could leave the club in the summer appeared first on CaughtOffside.