In amongst the inevitable debate on whether or not Shakespeare is the right man for the job, we find ourselves with a lot of decisions to make on the playing front. Whereas there are plenty of players that we would want to stay, what to do about some of the players around the fringes is less clearcut.
Here's my instinct for what to do about some of the more difficult situations that the next manager (Shakespeare or otherwise) will face.
Zieler
I still don't think we've seen the best of him, and that with some work he can get better than he's shown. I wouldn't mind seeing Zieler given another go but but I don't think Schmeichel is actively looking for a move (although Champions League football in Manchester would be difficult for him to turn down) and we may be able to get a more exciting replacement in Hart or Pickford anyway. And Zieler won't stay as a number 2.
Stay or Leave? Leave
Benalouane
At times, Benny has shown himself to be a highly capable replacement and has had some excellent matches. However, he has also had some poor ones and the old issues haven't been completely eradicated. The last couple of matches he has partnered Fuchs and hasn't really been able to cope very well. Another really big concern is his inability to last 90 minutes, and this will need to be addressed.
However, there is a place in a squad for a 4th choice centre back who is able to fill in occasionally, if he wants it.
Stay or Leave? Stay
Amartey
Hasn't really shown the quality required in central midfield and is never a right back. Still has some potential to play in the middle somewhere though, and I like his attitude. Needs to have some sort of breakthrough next year though, whether that is in centre mid or centre back.
Stay or Leave? Stay
Mendy
This is where Merseyside and I get into an argument and I don't think there's anything here I haven't been saying for months. I didn't understand at the time why we bought Mendy and I still don't. I've seen nothing but a semblance of an engine to hang my hat on, and Matty James has one of those. I believe he came at Ranieri's request and now should call it quits and return to France.
Stay or Leave? Leave
Kapustka
May still be acclimatising to this league, but there is a reason he's not playing and I believe that reason is that matches are swallowing him up. He clearly has ability, but I'm not convinced that the Premier League is for him. I wouldn't mind him getting another chance, but I suspect that we won't see much more of him.
Stay or Leave? Leave
Lawrence
Has had a storming season at Ipswich, but is already unsettled at lack of opportunities. Whoever the new manager is will have to make a decision on whether he joins the first team or leaves; another loan won't do it for him and I wouldn't blame him for moving on.
Stay or Leave? Up to him
Musa
Has been appalling at times, with a worse touch than Carlton Palmer and his head down so low that he might as well be an ostrich. He has had some personal problems this year, so they might have affected him, along with generally getting used to the country and the league. Another that we probably haven't seen the best of, he has at least produced some moments of quality even though they have been sporadic, and has some raw materials to work with such as his pace. He may choose to move on, but I'd like to see him get another go on the proviso that he has to produce a lot more next term.
Stay or Leave? Stay
Slimani
A real problem. He cost a lot but hasn't lived up to the price tag, so it's unlikely that we'd get that back. He has some very positive attributes: He's very strong at scoring with his head and a genuine aerial threat in the box. He also shows willingness to get stuck in and fight. However, on the other hand his coordination with teammates - particularly Vardy - is very poor and it's notable that he looks for Mahrez pretty much every time. With Mahrez already half way out of the door, Slimani will have to decide whether or not he wants to be part of this team of not and that surely means playing support striker to Vardy and not the other way around. My instinct is that he won't do that though and, tough decision though it is, he should probably head for the exit.
Stay or Leave? Leave
Ulloa
Is Slimani leaves, there's more of an argument for him to stay. However, there are some matches where he's ineffective and he's ultimately a limited player. He will not get regular first team starts with Vardy and Okazaki around, and certainly not with Slimani around. If that's what he wants then he'll have to look elsewhere.
Stay or Leave? Sadly, Leave
Tough personnel decisions
posted on 22/5/17
Whether true or not but Gray has reportedly told Leicester he wants to leave, seems like Liverpool are favourites at £12million price tag?
posted on 22/5/17
Ben Hamer
Ron Robert Zieler
Yohan Benalouane
Matty James
Andy King
Bartosz Kapustka
Nampalys Mendy
Riyad Mahrez
Ahmed Musa
Islam Slimani
Leo Ulloa
all these can go none are good enough for top half of prem lge except mahrez who just looks like he wants to go
posted on 22/5/17
TB - I would have thought untrue, particularly given the unknown situations surrounding Shakespeare and Mahrez. But it is possible that he would be angling for a move if he didn't get more first team football.
I can't imagine he'd get on Liverpool's bench in the short term though given their array of attacking talent in precisely his position.
Regardless, I'd rather hold fire on that one. Smells like a Leicester City Facebook group desperate for traffic.
posted on 22/5/17
comment by Man in the Long Black Coat (U2592)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
Ben Hamer
Ron Robert Zieler
Yohan Benalouane
Matty James
Andy King
Bartosz Kapustka
Nampalys Mendy
Riyad Mahrez
Ahmed Musa
Islam Slimani
Leo Ulloa
all these can go none are good enough for top half of prem lge except mahrez who just looks like he wants to go
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Pretty much concur with this, apart from Mendy. Would like to see more of him once fully fit.
posted on 22/5/17
Don't you think Marty James deserves a shot?
posted on 22/5/17
comment by True Blue (U9486)
posted 30 minutes ago
Don't you think Marty James deserves a shot?
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The fitness and medical team would have to convince me that it was not a gamble, just to much of a risk. I'm sure he would want to be playing regularly.
posted on 22/5/17
Maybe a lot of players that could move on but you don't want more than 5 and 5 in for stability, plus perhaps a couple of youngsters who don't count to the premier league squad cap. Remember promotion from championship we signed 1-2 players!
Five most likely out;
Wasilewski (sadly gone), Ulloa, Kaputska (doesn't suit our game), Mahrez (think he's likely to move but would like to keep) and Mendy (wherever Raneiri ends up). Possibly 45-55m in transfer fees there.
There may be others like Amartey, King, James who are likely to be squad players, but you need squad players who get on with it, have the right attitude and ultimately understand how we play.
Then we can reinvest transfer fees plus transfer budget in players to challenge or replace first 11. I'm expecting a couple of defenders, a number 10, pacy wider striker and a midfielder.
The 5 out may change if we get a serious offer for Kasper and if Morgan's back is a long term problem, in which case it may be best, but sad, to cash in.
posted on 22/5/17
Hamer and Ulloa need to go to get more game time.
The rest mentioned I'd keep, mixture of squad players, possible first teamers and those who may come good.
posted on 23/5/17
The problem with the transfers we made last summer was that we signed a lot of players who aren't currently up to the standard required for this level, but who might come good in a year or two's time. Which makes some of the decisions very hard.
Zieler - Hasn't convinced me that he's a viable replacement for Schmeichel and doesn't sound particularly happy here. I think there are younger keepers out there who could fill the No.2 role better than Zieler. But if Schmeichel leaves, we don't really want to be looking for two goalkeepers. Verdict: Leave if Schmeichel goes, stay as No. 2 if Schmeichel goes.
Benalouane - A really tough one to gauge. Has had games where he has looked a class apart, but also games where he's looked a liability. Very inconsistent. Verdict: Stay, but only as 4th choice with a new CB coming in.
Amartey - Another toughie. He's played well at times but mostly looked out of his depth. Played in several positions but not looked like a first teamer in any of them. Verdict: Stay, but loan out to a bottom end PL /top end Championship side.
Mendy - Unlucky with injuries. Has potential but looked anonymous when he has played. His only good game was as part of a midfield 3 where he played behind DD and Amartey. Verdict: Stay, but evaluate progress and possibly sell in January.
Kapustka - Another who has bags of potential but hasn't really showed it yet. Could be argued that, unlike Amartey and Mendy, he hasn't had a fair chance. Verdict: Stay, but loan out.
Lawrence - An easy one for me. He's been brilliant for Ipswich and would be the kind of player we would have been looking to sign. Honestly think he could break into the first team. Verdict: Stay
Musa - Oh dear. Anyone remember the Barca friendly where he looked like a world beater? Seems a long time ago. Very quick but has little else. Tempted to give him a pre-season to see how he performs. Verdict: Stay, but if no progress over pre-season, sell or loan.
Slimani - Probably the toughest one. Looks like the transfer fee is a real burden for him. I don't think the No.10 role behind Vardy suits him, but he hasn't been able to forge a partnership up front with him either. He is very good in the air and has a reasonable goal ratio. If Mahrez goes, I wouldn't be surprised if he followed. Verdict: Stay as substitute striker but if unhappy, sell.
Ulloa - Been a good servant and causes defenses issues, but I don't think he is good enough for what we are aiming for. Verdict: Sell.
I'd also release Hamer and James.
posted on 23/5/17
*Zieler should be: Leave if Schmeichel STAYS, stay as No. 2 if Schmeichel goes.