The six decisions Leicester City should make as they build their squad for their return to the Premier League

In the three weeks since the end of the Championship campaign, clubs around the division have released their retained lists, offering new offers and announcing departures.

So far, there is no official news from Leicester City. And every decision they make is a big one because they think about whether each player can contribute to a return to the Premier League, weighing up the financial aspect as well, knowing that they have to be careful not to break the rules.

Here, our writers Amie Wilson, Josh Holland and Jordan Blackwell give their thoughts on each player’s out-of-contract future and the decision they would make if they were in charge of the club. You can tell us your thoughts on each player in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

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Jamie Vardy

AW: This is the easiest decision of all the unsigned players. Even at 37, Vardy can still make an impact on the Premier League.

Even if he is not first choice, his impact on the dressing room is enough to keep the club legend alive for at least another year, calling the players’ meeting during the team’s slump in form could have helped City over the line. He has also shown this season that he can still have a big impact on the field.

JH: As every Leicester fan would say, this is a no-brainer. Vardy showed last season, certainly in the second half of the campaign, that he has the quality to play and has developed into a different kind of striker than the one who ended the 2022-23 campaign. He is more suited to Enzo Maresca’s style and his influence off the pitch is enormous. He may not have the legs to be the main striker – I don’t think he should be – but having him as an option is a must.

JB: I wouldn’t normally support emotional offers, but six months ago I would have said Vardy needed a new one-year deal on the grounds that it would have been deflating for the fan base to see promoted team, but their star. striker, and the best player in the club’s history, left behind. Fortunately, now there is no need in these terms.

Since February, after recovering from the injury that kept him out in December and January, Vardy has scored 12 goals at a rate of one every 73 minutes to take his season tally to 20. This is a clear sign that, even at 37 years of age, he can perform in Maresca’s system.

Jannik Vestergaard

AW: I can’t remember a player who changed his career at Leicester as much as Vestergaard did last season. He was among the contenders for Player of the Year, such were his performances in the backline after getting the chance with both hands following Conor Coady’s injury in pre-season.

While his previous time with City in the Premier League was forgettable, I think the style under Maresca protects his lack of speed more. His passing from the back has been key this season and while he may not be first choice next season, he is certainly worth keeping.

JH: The way the centre-back has revived his career in LE2 is nothing short of spectacular. Brendan Rodgers wasn’t a fan, but under Maresca he proved his class. He hasn’t won over some fans, but he’s clearly an integral part of this team. I’m not entirely sure he’ll be good enough to play every week in the Premier League, but his performances over the last 12 months mean he warrants a contract extension.

JB: Vestergaard has been such a crucial player this season, one who really understands Maresca’s game plan and his role in it, while also having the ability to make it work with his passing through the lines. So it should be simple.

But there will always be doubts about his pace in the Premier League and how top-tier forwards can exploit that. In the Championship, his positioning and reading of the game helped him eliminate danger at the source, and yet there were enough times when he was caught that he ended the season with 13 yellow cards, the third-highest in the Championship.

Overall, he probably deserves a new contract. But against Premier League opposition, he will need to perform as he did against Bournemouth in the FA Cup, and not as he did against Chelsea, if he is to retain his place in the team.

Wilfred Ndidi

AW: Ndidi is still adapting to his more attacking role under Maresca. He has been a key player in recent seasons, but while his impact hasn’t been as big as it has been, there have been times this season where City have felt his absence during his injuries.

It will be interesting to see how he adapts to his new role in the Premier League next season, where he will likely be given more space to operate. For that reason, I would like to see him stay.

JH: I am broken from Ndidi. What he has done for Leicester since joining in 2017 has been heroic and his adaptability to play in a more advanced role has been class. Maresca suggested he could be used in a more defensive manner next season, but wages could be a big issue. He’s been colossal for City for many years, but sometimes it can be best to cut ties and move on.

JB: I don’t think Maresca sees Ndidi as a Premier League level attacking midfielder, so if he stays he will either need a new role or be a backup in the advanced midfield area. Maresca has already suggested he could be used in a defensive position.

But he’s malleable, has a lot of great physical attributes that can be put to good use, and still ages well. So on that basis I think it almost deserves a new deal. But I wouldn’t be devastated if he left.

Kelechi Iheanacho

AW: This is probably the most difficult of all decisions for me. I have always been an Iheanacho fan but I think now is probably the time to part ways. After falling to fourth option under Maresca, he will pull a big winner from the books with an eye on the financials.

Iheanacho is a goalscorer but very hit and miss in terms of performances. He probably needs regular game time to play in the form we have seen previously, not something City can afford to give him in the new season.

JH: I was a big Iheanacho fan at the start of the season and thought his persona really connected with the fan base. However, I’m not entirely sure that he covered himself in championship glory.

Another player like Ndidi who will probably be let go because of the financial situation. His shirt on the final day indicated a decision that had already been made and it will be a sad day when his exit is confirmed, especially after his key role in the FA Cup victory.

JB: Looking at Iheanacho’s record of goals and assists in the Premier League, how he plays when he’s at his best and how he offers something different to City’s other options up front, it seems like it should be an easy decision to give him offer new business. In most scenarios, I’d want him in the Premier League squad.

However, he hasn’t fired trees this season and hasn’t started under Maresca since December. If the manager doesn’t like it, there’s no point in keeping him around, especially when there’s money to spend on wages elsewhere. It’s a shame because if he’s under contract then he’s a valuable player who could be sold for a fair amount. I just hope he doesn’t go to Aston Villa.

Dennis Praet

AW: Given his comments in recent days, Praet looks to be another player who will leave at the end of his contract. The midfielder has been a solid performer whenever called upon, but has never had the chance to establish himself in the team.

His season was interrupted by injuries, meaning he never had a long streak. That was the story of his Leicester career. A move back to Italy is probably the most likely destination after impressing on loan with Torino a few seasons ago.

JH: I’m surprised Praet is still a Leicester player. He has never been a good starter since joining in 2019 and after his loan spell with Torino, I thought he was gone by now. He was okay when called upon, but we didn’t get to see the best of him over time. He is one of those players who is simply better suited to European football and he has always tried his best, so he will go with my best wishes.

JB: It’s time for Praet and the club to part ways. It probably should have happened a few years ago when he was well on loan in Italy and wanted to go back there. Praet had good mini-spells in the team where he looked technically adept and helped those around him look better. But it just doesn’t have the top edge.

Mark Albrighton

AW: It’s pretty clear that Albrighton played his last game in a Leicester shirt. And he got the send off he deserved, with the reception when he came on as a substitute against Blackburn and at the clock tower trophy parade.

There has been a lack of playing time this season and that will not increase in the Premier League. It’s still unclear what his next step is, but I wouldn’t mind offering him a coaching or off-field role if he decides to hang up his boots.

JH: Albrighton got the cut he deserved after years of service. After admitting he was 99.9% sure he had played his last game, he will go down in Leicester history for everything he has done since 2014.

A legendary, old-school extremist who has seen it all. He showed in his brief spell on the pitch on the final day of the season that he still possesses that dangerous cross, so he will be a valuable signing for whoever is lucky enough to sign him.

JB: Albrighton’s wing play and his link up with Vardy has arguably been underutilized this season. But without starting a single game in the Championship, it makes no sense to keep him in the Premier League. He has said his goodbyes and hopefully he will now find a club that will make the most of his qualities.

Which players would you keep and which would you let go? Tell us in the comments section HERE