The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsWith the Foxes looking like they have completed their transfer business by means of strikers, it seems the first team’s forwards will face tough competition to establish a place in the starting eleven this season.
Despite being linked with Queens Park Rangers’ Charlie Austin, it appears Leicester will begin the new Premier League campaign with five strikers in contention for a starting place.
The battle for a probable two places in the team is already beginning to shape up, following the departure of Chris Wood who has joined Championship side Leeds United, and the signing of Shinji Okazaki from Mainz on a four-year deal.
With the new boss Claudio Ranieri taking charge, it can be said that no striker has a guaranteed place in the starting eleven. They will need to impress their new manager in training and develop a consistent run of form throughout the season.
The first contender for a starting place is Jamie Vardy, who played an integral role in Leicester’s evasion of relegation last season. Ranieri should know of Vardy’s importance in the team, recognising his pace and determination was a key factor in Leicester’s turn of form last year. With an England cap to his name this summer, he may be more confident of attaining his place.
Vardy has contributed a great deal to Leicester’s recent success, scoring 16 goals in the Championship which helped the Foxes on their way to the league title, and five goals last year in an injury-hit season. Offering a great deal more than just goals, he has the ability to terrorise the best defenders in the league with his relentless attitude, alongside eight assists last season; more than the likes of David Silva and Raheem Sterling. If Leicester are going to continue their late form from the previous nine league games, Vardy has to be one of the first names on the team sheet.
Another player who may be in contention is Leonardo Ulloa, who joined the Foxes from Brighton and Hove Albion last summer. Ulloa scored 11 goals last season, which for his first season in the top flight is a very respectable tally. Without his goals Leicester could well have been relegated last year, and with a club record £8 million price tag hanging over his head it was a risk for an unproven player.
This was instantly forgotten with Ulloa putting in some strong performances, scoring on his debut against Everton and earning some excellent results against Arsenal, Manchester United and Stoke City in the first few games. It will be difficult to drop Leicester’s only consistent Premier League goal scorer, so Ulloa could also be expected to start the first couple of games this season.
Take a look at the next page for Leicester’s remaining three strikers
