Steve Cooper’s first pre-season as Leicester City manager has been challenging, marked significantly by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s move to Chelsea, which has impacted the team’s plans for the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.
To fill the void left by Dewsbury-Hall, Leicester City aimed to bolster their attacking options, with Juventus forward Matias Soule being a prime target. However, Soule chose to join Serie A side Roma instead.
Despite securing Issahaku Fatawu and Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Cooper’s squad still seems thin on firepower upfront.
Adding to the concerns, veteran striker Jamie Vardy experienced an injury scare. Although he is expected to return before the pre-season concludes, Cooper must consider Vardy’s age.
At 37, Vardy may not consistently maintain his high performance level, necessitating the emergence of another striker.
This situation opens the door for Leicester City striker Patson Daka to redeem himself this season. Vardy’s injury issues and the club’s struggles in the transfer market might push Daka into a more prominent role in the Premier League.
Since joining Leicester in 2021, the Zambian international has fluctuated in and out of the starting lineup, unable to secure a regular spot.
Despite this, he has shown flashes of quality, contributing 16 goals in 53 Premier League appearances. Former manager Brendan Rodgers even described Daka as ‘very good.’
Concerns have surrounded Daka’s time at Leicester, particularly regarding his finishing ability.
Some may argue that his seven goals in 15 Championship starts last season are misleading, yet he demonstrated his potential after a slow start and not earning a start until December.
While Daka may not match Vardy’s prime performance, he could thrive if given sufficient game time.
Daka’s confidence could be crucial, considering his impressive goal-scoring record in the Austrian Bundesliga, where he netted 54 goals in 82 appearances.
If Cooper can nurture Daka’s talent effectively, the Zambian forward could emerge as a valuable asset, feeling like a new signing for Leicester if he reaches his peak.
Ultimately, Cooper faces the task of navigating the challenges of his first pre-season with Leicester City, dealing with key departures and injuries.
However, with the right management and opportunities, players like Patson Daka could step up and fill crucial roles in the team, potentially turning a difficult pre-season into a successful Premier League campaign.
