It’s been a couple of rollercoaster years for Leicester City and their fans. The most unexpected Premier League Champions in history in the 15/16, the title winning manager being sacked and a run to the quarter finals of the Champions League in 16/17, more importantly though, what a couple of seasons it’s been for the draft manager. In the 15/16 season, Vardy and Mahrez were picked up by players without much of a challenge and they proved to be two of the highest point scorers. The same can’t be said for the 16/7 season, Leicester City and a select few of their players only seemed focussed on the Champions League. No longer defending champions and without the distraction of European football, what does this season hold for Leicester City’s players and how will it benefit you?

Goalkeepers

It could be an interesting year in regard to the goalkeeper at Leicester City, Kasper Schmeichel has been a mainstay in the Leicester City team for 6 years now but the rumours of a move to Manchester United refuse to die down. It will hardly matter though, wherever Schmeichel goes, he’ll be the number 1 keeper for this coming season and surely a first pick goalkeeper for those in larger leagues.

The transfer of Eldin Jakupović from Hull City looks to be going through within the next couple of days (and may have already happened once this is published). Jakupović had a mixed year at Hull City last season, starting the season in goal and performing well but once McGregor came back he was relegated to the bench until Phelan was sacked and Jakupović was reinstated as first team keeper. He could be a very good back up for Leicester City but if the rumours of Kasper Schmeichel to Manchester United are true, then he’ll surely fit straight into the first team.

As I stated above, Kasper Schmeichel in the larger leagues will be a solid first choice keeper so maybe expect him to be gone by the 5th or 6th round but keep an eye on the transfer dealings here and keep Eldin Jakupović in your shortlist.

Defenders

Some resolute defending was key to the title win of 15/16 but stricter refereeing, by Leicester City players own admission, stifled them in 16/17. Leicester City have bolstered their defence with another signing from Hull City in the form of Harry Maguire. Harry Maguire should offer better pace than Huth or Morgan and should slot straight into the first team, potentially replacing Morgan.

There could be more first team starts for young left back Ben Chilwell but don’t expect him to displace the reliable Christian Fuchs. Fuchs finished last season with a more than respectable 2 goals and 4 assists while his teammate on the opposite side of the pitch Danny Simpson provided 3 assists himself.

I feel that it could be a tough year for Leicester City’s defenders but that was said in the 15/16 season as well. Maguire and Fuchs will most likely be the first names drafted from Leicester City’s defence but not until later rounds, possibly even as late as round 10. As for the others, if you’re thinking along the lines of guaranteed starters then Simpson and Huth could be good pickups but expect them to still be available on a free once your draft has ended.

Midfielders

As of writing, I see Leicester City’s midfield as their weakest position. Star player, Riyad Mahrez wants out, last season he only showed up in the Champions League matches. Last season, Mahrez was also, in a slight moment of panic, my first pick in the draft, so I’m a little bitter when it comes to him. I was also stubborn and actually turned down a trade of Alli for Mahrez, a trade, which cost me my own league championship as it turns out.

Back to Leicester City’s midfield though, Demarai Gray has been promised more first team opportunities which, he continues his development, could see some of us draft managers benefit from bringing him into the team, other than Demarai Gray, there’s only really central midfielders like Wilfred Ndidi, Daniel Amartey, Danny Drinkwater and Andy King who could all benefit from the Kante Rule but not offer us much more. The one midfielder that Leicester City have signed, Vicente Iborra does have some goals to his name and may be worth a gamble but unproven in the Premier League and with stiff competition for a place, it could be better to wait and see on him.

I expect Leicester to strengthen their midfield some more, maybe they’re waiting to use the funds from selling Mahrez but for now, apart from Demarai Gray, who could make a decent later round pick or possibly Wilfred Ndidi, for those playing with the Kante Rule turned on, I see no real points value here.

Forwards

Last season, Leicester City had 5 first team strikers on their books. Jamie Vardy, Islam Slimani, Ahmed Musa, Shinji Okazaki and Leonardo Ulloa. If rumours are to be believed, only Jamie Vardy may be left of those 3 heading into the new season. Vardy was hampered with being rested before the big Champions League games last season but with that out of the way, expect Vardy to come back to his best form in the Premier League.

I had really high hopes for both Islam Slimani and Ahmed Musa last season, after catching a couple of pre-season friendlies I thought that Ahmed Musa was going to be last season’s surprise package but neither really amounted to much in the league and with Champions League football now a memory, they will both most likely be leaving which leaves Okazaki and Ulloa. Okazaki looks likely to stay and play second fiddle to Jamie Vardy but the same can’t be said for Ulloa, Ulloa attracted interest from Sunderland last season and his experience and eye for goal could make him a target for some teams again this summer.

Jamie Vardy will be a high pick in a season where strikers will go almost straight away. If Vardy doesn’t go in the first round, then he’ll be taken by the 2nd. Okazaki will be a little later on, he could even slip the net and be available on a free transfer once the draft is done. If, and it’s a big if, Islam Slimani stays at Leicester City he could be a valuable pick up possibly around rounds 5 or 6.

Wildcard

Demarai Gray has the potential to be the unexpected success of this season. Teams such as Liverpool, Everton and Tottenham have all been rumoured to be scouting Gray and a promise of more game time and the chance to show what he’s worth are the reason why he’s my outside pick to be considered for your draft teams.

Conclusion

Jamie Vardy is your star player here, his return of 13 goals in the Premier League last season will be bettered now that European football has past. Outside of that, Kasper Schmeichel, Harry Maguire, Wilfred Ndidi and Vicente Iborra are all worth looking into. Mahrez’ future is up in the air so commenting on when to draft him right now would be remiss of me.