Leicester City Podcast: Matt Piper’s verdict on the Foxes

Former Leicester City player Matt Piper has looked at what business needs to happen at the King Power Stadium to prepare them for their return to the Premier League in August.

Leicester have already announced that Jamie Vardy and Jannik Vestergaard have signed new contracts for their return to the top flight, but there has been no further action since the summer transfer window opened on June 14.

The Foxes are still without a manager, but Piper believes any potential boss will have to work on improving centre-back Vestergaard’s game after he signed a new three-year deal.

“He smoked at the Euros, in the back, did you see?” he joked on BBC Radio Leicester’s When You’re Smiling podcast. “I was thinking we’ll have to get used to it next season depending on the manager who comes in.”

But Piper highlighted Harry Souttar, who is under contract until June 2028, as one of the players who could help the Foxes’ defensive line next season.

“It was difficult for him because when he came in we were fighting and we were falling towards the bottom of the table,” he added. “He’s performed pretty well every time I’ve seen him play.

“He just didn’t fit Enzo Maresca’s system, or clearly Enzo didn’t think he did, but I like Souttar.

“He’s pacey, he can recover well at the back, he’s good in the air, but he’s not as good as Vestergaard on the ball. He still has his qualities.”

TV Leicester Til I Die co-presenter Kate Blakey added: “There’s just going to have to be a really open conversation with Souttar. He’s already said that if Enzo hadn’t gone, he would have asked to move.

“He needs to have an open and transparent conversation with the new manager because he doesn’t want to sit on the sidelines for another year.”