Leicester City 2021/22 preview: Transfers, key player, fixtures, new kits, prediction & more
Leicester City enjoyed another promising season last time out.
They might have bottled Champions League qualification on the final day again, but an emotional victory in the FA Cup final more than made up for that disappointment.
Leicester have made some very smart signings this summer and Brendan Rodgers will be looking to push on further this season. Here is everything you need to know about the Foxes ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
Transfers
In: Patson Daka (£27m), Boubakary Soumare (£18m), Ryan Bertrand (free)
Out: Christian Fuchs (released), Matty James (released), Wes Morgan (retired)
First-team squad
1. Kasper Schmeichel (GK)
2. James Justin (DF)
3. Wesley Fofana (DF)
4. Caglar Soyuncu (DF)
5. Ryan Bertrand (DF)
6. Jonny Evans (DF)
7. Harvey Barnes (MF)
8. Youri Tielemans (MF)
9. Jamie Vardy (FW)
10. James Maddison (MF)
11. Marc Albrighton (MF)
12. Danny Ward (GK)
14. Kelechi Iheanacho (FW)
16. Filip Benkovic (DF)
17. Ayoze Perez (FW)
18. Daniel Amartey (DF)
20. Hamza Choudhury (MF)
21. Ricardo Pereira (DF)
22. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (MF)
24. Nampalys Mendy (MF)
26. Dennis Praet (MF)
27. Timothy Castagne (DF)
29. Patson Daka (FW)
33. Luke Thomas (DF)
35. Eldin Jakupovic (GK)
42. Boubakary Soumare (MF)
Key player
Ever since Riyad Mahrez left there has never been much doubt that Jamie Vardy is Leicester's key man.
However, the winds of change seem to be blowing at the King Power Stadium. Last season Vardy's influence was eclipsed by Youri Tielemans. Barely missing a second of action across four competitions, Tielemans is key to making Leicester tick.
He dictates the tempo from deep, gets through a tremendous amount of defensive work and is also a man for the big occasion. Keeping hold of the Belgian is the best piece of business Leicester have completed this summer.
Young player to watch
There is a lot of buzz around Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the East Midlands. The dynamic midfielder seriously impressed on loan at Luton Town last campaign, registering three goals and six assists.
He has done enough in pre-season to convince Rodgers to keep him around the first team squad this term. The Shepshed-born 22-year-old even enjoyed a 19 minute cameo in the Community Shield.
Dewsbury-Hall's emergence should afford Hamza Choudhury the opportunity to move on, particularly with Boubakary Soumare expecting minutes as well.
Fixtures
Saturday 14 August - 15:00 - Leicester vs Wolves
Monday 23 August - 20:00 - West Ham vs Leicester (Sky Sports)
Saturday 28 August - 15:00 - Norwich vs Leicester
Saturday 11 September - 15:00 - Leicester vs Man City
Sunday 19 September - 14:00 - Brighton vs Leicester
Saturday 25 September - 15:00 - Leicester vs Burnley
Sunday 3 October - 14:00 - Crystal Palace vs Leicester (Sky Sports)
Saturday 16 October - 15:00 - Leicester vs Man Utd
Sunday 24 October - 14:00 - Brentford vs Leicester
Saturday 30 October - 12:30 - Leicester vs Arsenal
Saturday 6 November - 15:00 - Leeds vs Leicester
Saturday 20 November - 15:00 - Leicester vs Watford
Wednesday 1 December - 19:45 - Southampton vs Leicester
Saturday 4 December - 15:00 - Aston Villa vs Leicester
Saturday 11 December - 15:00 - Leicester vs Newcastle
Tuesday 14 December - 19:45 - Leicester vs Spurs
Saturday 18 December - 15:00 - Everton vs Leicester
Saturday 26 December - 15:00 - Man City vs Leicester
Tuesday 28 December - 15:00 - Leicester vs Liverpool
Saturday 1 January - 15:00 - Leicester vs Norwich
Saturday 15 January - 15:00 - Burnley vs Leicester
Saturday 22 January - 15:00 - Leicester vs Brighton
Wednesday 9 January - 20:00 - Liverpool vs Leicester
Saturday 12 February - 15:00 - Leicester vs West Ham
Saturday 19 February - 15:00 - Wolves vs Leicester
Saturday 26 February - 15:00 - Chelsea vs Leicester
Saturday 5 March - 15:00 - Leicester vs Leeds
Saturday 12 March - 15:00 - Arsenal vs Leicester
Saturday 19 March - 15:00 - Leicester vs Brentford
Saturday 2 April - 15:00 - Man Utd vs Leicester
Saturday 9 April - 15:00 - Leicester vs Crystal Palace
Saturday 16 April - 15:00 - Newcastle vs Leicester
Saturday 23 April - 15:00 - Leicester vs Aston Villa
Saturday 30 April - 15:00 - Spurs vs Leicester
Saturday 7 May - 15:00 - Leicester vs Everton
Sunday 15 May - 15:00 - Watford vs Leicester
Sunday 22 May - 16:00 - Leicester vs Southampton
Kits
Home: New sponsor, who dis?
Away: Minty fresh.
Third: Pretty in pink (and grey).
Prediction
As long as they manage to keep hold of Arsenal target James Maddison and sort out Tielemans' contract, Leicester look well placed to match - if not better - their 2020/21 season.
The additions of Patson Daka, Boubakary Soumare, Ryan Bertrand, and likely Jan Bednarek to the squad are all very smart signings and they should have no problem beating off competition from north London for fifth spot.
Breaking into the top four is probably beyond them, though. The Premier League is just so strong this season.
The Foxes will instead by targeting a deep run in the Europa League. They were dumped out at the first knockout hurdle last year and with an expanded squad they will fancy their chances of going all the way.
5th in the Premier League and a possible Europa League final.