In being crowned Champions of the second division last season, Leicester sealed their return back to the top flight after just one season away, validating that their squad is more than talented enough for another extended stay in the Premier League.

Despite losing manager Enzo Maresca to Chelsea, Leicester have been busy in the transfer window, bringing the Premier League proven Bobby De Cordova-Ried, as well as Italian international Caleb Okoli and quickly rising Ghanaian winger Issahaku Fatawu. These signings bolster their strength in depth in an already stacked team, and there is no reason why Leicester can’t head into the season with a mid-table finish in mind.

Dominating the Championship in last season’s campaign until the final weeks of the season where they seemed to relax a little, Leicester arrive in the Premier League with morale high after adding silverware to their trophy cabinet.

Hopefully they can buck the recent trend of promoted teams struggling to cement their Premier League status.

Best result: Leicester 5-0 Southampton. (Fatawu 25’, 75’, 81’, Ndidi 62’, Vardy 79’).

Worst result: Coventry 3-1 Leicester. (Coventry: O’Hare 79’, 90+4, Ewijk 88’. Leicester: Dewsbury-Hall 44’).

Who is Leicester’s manager for 2024/25?

"Capped off a really good week" 🙌 - Steve Cooper. pic.twitter.com/weyGsHtkIc
— Leicester City (@LCFC) July 21, 2024

Former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper arrives at Leicester with big shoes to fill, after Enzo Maresca’s single season success earned him a an opportunity to take Chelsea’s hot seat.

Known for being active in the transfer window in his time at Forest, it’s unlikely that Cooper will waste any time in sealing new signings to improve his squad, and there should be no surprise if he brings in some of his former Forest disciples in an attempt to tailor the team more to his style.

However, due to Leicester’s rivalry with Nottingham, it will be interesting to see how he is received by the Leicester city faithful. Football is a fickle game, and should things not go to plan, he could find the fans turning against him. His main task is to keep them onside and gain their trust and support throughout the season.

Who is Leicester’s player to watch for 2024/25? Stephy Mavididi

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Stephy Mavididi - Two in two

⚽ vs Shrewsbury Town
⚽ vs Villarreal pic.twitter.com/VVpV04l4tR
— 𝙇𝘾𝙁𝘾 𝙎𝙋 (@LCFCshitposting) July 23, 2024

An Englishman who learnt much of his football trade abroad, Mavididi was a real coup for Leicester when they signed him at the beginning of last season. Coming off the back of an excellent season in France playing for Montpellier, a £6.5 million transfer fee was an absolute bargain.

After a slow start to life in English football, the former Juventus man eventually found his stride, and by the end of the campaign, he totaled 12 goals and 6 assists, playing in all 46 games in the process.

An accomplished dribbler with bags of flair, Mavidida has all the tools to turn even top defenders inside and out, and his direct running will be a primary route of chance creation for Leicester. With Fatawu on the right wing, and Mavididi on the left, both players could seriously raise their stock if they impress in the Premier League.

Season Prediction

Leicester have one of the strongest squads for a promoted team that many have seen in recent years, and with summer signings providing a little extra quality, there is every chance that Leicester finish comfortably clear of the bottom three.

However, they cannot afford to have a dip in form like the one they suffered at the end of the Championship season, as lapses in concentration are rarely unpunished in the top flight. Consistency will be key.

However, I believe that Leicester have enough about them to pull off some shock results against big sides, and this potential to surprise is what will likely see them safely through to the end of the season.

Prediction: 16th.

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Harry Pascoe | Writer at Football Park

Discover Harry Pascoe, a Football Park writer sharing insightful football content every week. Explore his experience here.

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