There is just one more day of business for Leicester, and so far, there have been no arrivals at the King Power Stadium, but there have been a few departures.
The final 12 hours of the winter transfer window have arrived, and Leicester City has yet to make any exciting new acquisitions. In fact, they are currently in a weaker position than before January began.
Chelsea has recalled Cesare Casadei, leaving City short-handed in the midfield. They seek to remedy that on deadline day by finalizing a deal for Inter Milan’s Stefano Sensi.
Until that switch is wrapped up, have a look at the deals City have already done this since the start of the new year. Will there be any excitement on the final day to make this a longer list?
Luke Thomas – loan to Middlesbrough
The left-back had his spell at Sheffield United cut short with Blades boss Chris Wilder looking to rebalance his squad. That sent Thomas back to City, but not for long.
The academy graduate left in the summer because there was no spot for him in Maresca’s set-up, and that’s not changed in the mean-time, so he’s headed north to join City’s Championship rivals and play-off hopefuls Middlesbrough for the remainder of the season. Boro needed a left-back after Alex Bangura picked up a potentially-season-ending hamstring injury and a deal for Thomas was wrapped up in three days.
Cesare Casadei – loan return to Chelsea
The midfielder was set to play a big role at City over the coming months with Wilfred Ndidi injured and Maresca a confirmed fan, particularly in the way he makes himself a threat in the box. But then, out of the blue, he was recalled by Chelsea, with Mauricio Pochettino seeing a place for him in his 25-man squad for the second half of the season at Stamford Bridge.
While he missed the matches he was cup-tied for, Casadei was handed an opportunity as soon as he was eligible, playing the final five minutes of Chelsea’s 4-1 defeat to Liverpool this week. He’ll hope for more minutes, and better scorelines, in the future.
Daniel Iversen – loan to Stoke
Falling from first-choice goalkeeper at the end of last season to fourth-choice goalkeeper upon Maresca’s rival, there was no surprise that Iversen departed this month. His ability with the ball at his feet has stopped from being in consideration at the King Power Stadium, but he remains a very good shot-stopper.
Because of his performances last season and on loan at Preston the year before, he’s got a gig in the Championship with the Potters. So far he’s made four appearances, keeping one clean sheet.
Alex Smithies – retired
First sustaining an injury in the summer, Smithies has not been seen all season at City. Now those injuries have forced him to retire after 18 months at the King Power Stadium, during which time he was unable to make a competitive first-team appearance.
Ethan Fitzhugh – permanent move to Banbury United
The development squad midfielder, who played a first-team pre-season game under Brendan Rodgers aged just 16, left for the National League North this month as he begins the next stage of his career. He scored inside the first minute of his league debut for the club.
Read also; Aston Villa’s Squad Transformation: What the Team Will Look Like After Completing Triple Transfers
