Van Nistelrooy must avoid a clear transfer mistake at Leicester, but reports suggest he may not – Opinion

Ruud van Nistelrooy took charge of Leicester City on December 3rd, marking his first game as manager with a 3-1 win against West Ham United.

However, since that victory, the Foxes’ form has continued to deteriorate, with their most recent loss coming at the hands of Aston Villa.

As a result, Leicester have slipped to 19th place in the Premier League and are far from reaching the 40 points they will likely need to avoid relegation by the end of the 2024/25 season.

Given this dire situation, Van Nistelrooy faces the urgent task of having a productive January transfer window.

While the club has already been linked to several players this month, the Dutch manager risks making a significant misstep.

Leicester City must be cautious with their second loan slot from Premier League clubs.

As it stands, teams in the top flight are allowed a maximum of two loan players from other Premier League teams.

Currently, Leicester’s two loan spots are occupied by Facundo Buonanotte and Odsonee Edouard.

However, Edouard has barely featured this season and has yet to score for Leicester.

Reports have emerged suggesting Leicester are considering sending him back to Crystal Palace, which would free up a loan spot for another player.

This opens an opportunity for Leicester to sign a more experienced Premier League player for the second half of the season, which could significantly aid their battle for survival.

However, recent reports indicate that Van Nistelrooy may be targeting inexperienced young players instead.

Towards the end of December, it was reported that Leicester had contacted Manchester United about the possibility of loaning two of their youngsters: Toby Collyer and Harry Amass.

While both players have bright potential, neither is equipped to provide the immediate impact Leicester desperately need in their fight against relegation.

Amass, at just 17 years old, has yet to make his senior debut for Manchester United, and Collyer, at 21, has only made one Premier League appearance.

With every match becoming a must-win for Leicester, it’s clear that the club should prioritize experience and proven quality if Edouard’s loan is terminated.

The recent links to Manchester United’s youngsters suggest Leicester may be wasting this crucial loan spot on players who are not yet ready for the high stakes of Premier League survival.

While it’s possible that one of these young talents could rise to the occasion, it represents a significant risk for a club in Leicester’s precarious position.

This is a gamble the club can ill afford, and they should be focusing on more seasoned players to strengthen the

ir squad.