Leicester City fans are hoping that the initial lackluster reaction to Steve Cooper’s appointment as manager will soon be replaced by enthusiasm and celebration when the Premier League season kicks off.
Cooper, the new Welsh manager, has the daunting task of leading Leicester back to the top division and ensuring they thrive in the Premier League.
The challenge for Cooper is substantial, particularly given his less-than-impressive track record of just 12 wins from 55 top-flight games.
The King Power Stadium supporters will need to rally behind Cooper, the former Nottingham Forest boss, and place their faith in his ability to succeed Enzo Maresca, his predecessor.
So far in the transfer window, there have been positive developments for Leicester. The club has added promising talents like Caleb Okoli and Michael Golding, players who are expected to handle the pressures of Premier League football effectively.
However, balancing the squad’s finances will be crucial, and this could lead to the sale of Boubakary Soumare, a midfielder whose future at Leicester appears uncertain.
Boubakary Soumare’s Transfer to Leicester
In the summer before the 2021/22 season, Leicester City made headlines with the acquisition of Boubakary Soumare from Lille.
The French midfielder, fresh off a Ligue 1 title win with Lille, was signed for a reported £17 million. At 22, Soumare was expected to justify his hefty price tag and long-term contract with standout performances.
Unfortunately, Soumare’s tenure at Leicester has not met expectations. Despite the initial excitement surrounding his transfer, the towering midfielder did not feature prominently during Leicester’s title-winning campaign. Instead, he was loaned out to Sevilla, which hinted at his struggles to fit into Leicester’s plans.
As Leicester prepares for the new Premier League season under Cooper, Soumare’s future remains precarious. Reports suggest that Leicester may look to offload him this summer, possibly at a reduced price.
Soumare’s Time at Leicester
Soumare, a former Paris Saint-Germain youth player, has struggled to secure a regular spot in Leicester’s starting XI. His first full Premier League season saw him waiting until mid-September for his debut.
He ended the 2021/22 season with just 12 starts from 19 league appearances, an underwhelming contribution given the expectations.
While teammates like Youri Tielemans and James Maddison have since moved on to other clubs, Soumare’s prospects at Leicester have dwindled.
His second season was similarly disappointing, culminating in Leicester’s relegation to the Championship. Soumare appeared in 26 games that season, but his performances did little to improve his standing with the club.
The move to Sevilla at the end of the last summer window was met with relief by Leicester fans, who had grown frustrated with Soumare’s lackluster performances. However, his spell in La Liga was also underwhelming. Despite making 28 top-flight appearances, Soumare managed only one goal contribution.
This further diminished his appeal, leaving Cooper and the Leicester management with the task of finding a permanent solution for the midfielder.
Soumare’s Wage Concerns
Another significant issue for Leicester is Soumare’s high salary. According to Capology, Soumare is set to earn £80,000 per week if he remains at the King Power Stadium next season, making him the third-highest earner at the club.
Only Jamie Vardy and Harry Winks, who earn £100,000 and £90,000 per week respectively, have higher wages.
Vardy and Winks are expected to stay prominent in the first team under Cooper, justifying their substantial salaries.
In contrast, Matias Soule, a promising talent linked with Leicester, earns a modest £9,000 per week at Juventus.
Reports suggest that Soule might be heading to Roma instead, leaving Leicester to rely on players like Stephy Mavididi, who is already on the squad.
For Soumare, there may not be a place in the squad for the upcoming season. Leicester’s priority will be to offload their high earner and move past the costly investment in Soumare. The aim is to clear space for new signings and avoid the financial strain of an expensive flop.
As Leicester gears up for a challenging Premier League season, the focus will be on achieving a successful transition while managing the squad’s finances effectively.
