Leicester City Might Have Found Their Replacement for James Justin After Training Ahead of Newcastle – Opinion
Leicester City Poised for an Exciting January Transfer Window Under Ruud van Nistelrooy's Leadership
Ruud van Nistelrooy has been linked to several Manchester United players and talents from his former club PSV as he looks to strengthen his starting XI.
Leicester City is also reportedly targeting midfielder Ezechiel Banzuzi, a 19-year-old from their sister club OH Leuven, who has attracted interest from various European clubs.
While signing an attacking midfielder is a priority, van Nistelrooy has acknowledged the need to bolster the defense.
Leicester is exploring options for a center-back to compete with Jannik Vestergaard, Conor Coady, Wout Faes, and Caleb Okoli, while a full-back could also be on the radar.
James Justin’s performances this season have been underwhelming, prompting speculation about a potential replacement in the January transfer window.
The 26-year-old defender has struggled to replicate his previous form, particularly during Leicester’s losses to Brentford (4-1) and Manchester United.
Despite excelling in the Championship, Justin’s defensive weaknesses have been exposed in the Premier League.
With Ricardo Pereira sidelined due to injury, Leicester lacks senior competition for Justin, though one emerging talent could potentially save the club millions.
Young right-back Jayden Joseph has caught attention after training with Leicester’s first team ahead of their match against Newcastle.
In a press conference, van Nistelrooy highlighted the presence of Joseph and midfielder Henry Cartwright, stating, “There’s young JJ (Jayden Joseph), there’s Henry (Cartwright).
I have a good picture of what is needed in the window.”
Joseph, a 19-year-old Leicester academy product, has made eight appearances in Premier League 2 this season, recording one assist.
The versatile 2005-born defender has shown his ability to play as a wing-back or further forward, as demonstrated in his EFL Trophy outing against Northampton, despite the team’s 3-0 loss.
Leicester fans are optimistic about Joseph’s potential, viewing him as a possible long-term replacement for Justin.
If nurtured under van Nistelrooy’s guidance, Joseph could evolve into a breakout star by 2025.
His development offers hope for a defensive upgrade without significant investment, strengthening Leicester’s backline for the future.
