Saving Leicester City: What The Foxes Need to Bounce Back

Leicester City's 2024/25 season was heavily overshadowed by Southampton’s overwhelmingly poor showing. Leicester were beyond dreadful in all thirds of the pitch, boasting some of the worst numbers in the league in almost every category.

The Foxes had their moments, albeit minuscule, where they looked okay at best, picking up back-to-back victories either side of October’s international break and winning two matches in the last four games of their season. They did, however, lose eight league games in a row, and set an English football record run of nine consecutive home defeats without scoring a goal.

Leicester are relegated from the Premier League for a second time in three seasons.

They are also the first side in Prem history to go nine consecutive home games without scoring a goal 📉 pic.twitter.com/n9EsWWHU2e

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 20, 2025

Their poor performances throughout the season and inability to create chances saw relegation confirmed for The Foxes. The club looks set for an overhaul with many major changes and many experienced players expected to make way in order to build some PSR headroom and to help promote young talent as they look to rebuild back into the Premier League and find a sustainable way to stay there.

What Went Wrong

Leicester City were poor all over the pitch all campaign, and it was a very tough watch for fans as they registered the second-lowest figure for goals scored, with 33, and the third-worst defensive record as they shipped 80 goals. Conceding over an average of 2 goals per game is enough to get any club relegated.

(Stats via Statmuse)

The Foxes ranked 19th for xG and goals scored. They also averaged the least shots and shots on target in the division. When talking about passing stats, it does not look pretty for Leicester fans either. The squad completed the least key passes, final third passes and won the least corners of any team in the league.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Foxes struggled to keep possession for most of their matches too, rarely gaining more control in any area of the pitch than their respective opponents. In the photo below, Opta shows that in the 30 sections of the pitch which have been tracked, Leicester were considered to have more control over just four areas, compared to that of 16 to their opposition.

Only four teams averaged less possession than Leicester’s 45.4% too, with three of those sides finishing in 13th, 12th, and 7th place. The three teams referred to are Everton, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, who all registered a strong defensive record and proved that they can get success through a defensive play style. Leicester and Ipswich did not show this at all, however.

In attack, it was much the same story. These successful defensive teams were able to create many chances on transition and counter efficiently, registering almost 11 and upwards shots per match. Meanwhile, Leicester City were once again wasteful and disappointing, providing us with a league-low 8.8 shots per 90. Only 2.9 were on target too, so they could not find someone clinical and a forward to rely on like they had in previous seasons in the top-flight.

What Signings are Needed

There are many areas of the pitch which need vast improvements, but for next season, the board will need to focus primarily on upgrading in key positions. One is non-negotiable. They need someone to replace the much-loved Jamie Vardy, who moved on at the end of last campaign after a legendary 13 years at the King Power. This, perhaps, could be a younger player with potential.

BREAKING: Jamie Vardy is to leave Leicester City after 13 years at the club 🚨🔵 pic.twitter.com/6ClXxCzWxc

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 24, 2025

Other positions could include a centre-back to challenge Jannik Vestergaard, Conor Coady and Wout Faes, who need to improve drastically to keep their positions in the current side. The trio were very inconsistent throughout last campaign, and all with their own fair share of problems. A new centre-back to challenge these three, or even a new defensive coach, could all be valid options.

The young left-back Victor Kristiansen is expected to leave, so someone to challenge Luke Thomas might also be required. Facundo Buonanotte of course, will head back to Brighton once his loan deal ends, so The Foxes will need an attacking midfielder who already obtains the sufficient skills and ability to create chances. This player could also ideally be able to help nurture the young striker they go in for to help with his development.

Are There Issues in the Hierarchy

Lastly, although many major changes need to take place at the King Power Stadium, everything lies with the owner and the hierarchy at the club. Fans have been calling out for owner, Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, to make necessary changes in order to benefit the club's operations, however, he refuses to make these changes to their sporting plan, which is causing The Foxes to become a yo-yo club; something that seemed so far-fetched in 2016.

Fans protested by flying a plane over the King Power Stadium in April, before their match against league champions Liverpool, attached with the message: "King Power Clueless Sack The Board".

A banner was flown over the King Power Stadium before kick-off today, with a message directed at the Leicester City board.

The fans are not happy 😡 pic.twitter.com/hwtsOZQ5Ho

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 20, 2025

Just nine years ago, they lifted their first and only Premier League title, becoming the sixth side to win the title, at the time. After that season, and cashing in on their stars from that iconic campaign, you would have thought at first glance they would have been able to maintain their position in the English top-flight. During the early 2020s, under Brendan Rodgers, The Foxes were able to be a European contender, at worst dropping towards mid-table. However, suddenly in the 2022/23 season, the team fell apart, Rodgers was sacked, they were relegated and have struggled to build a squad anywhere near as strong since.

Fans are protesting, calling for these changes to be made, which the owner seems to be ignoring. The downfall is hardly surprising, and it is therefore difficult to see Leicester City challenging the Premier League elite anytime soon.