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1 week ago
Guardian writers’ predicted position: 12th (NB: this is not needfully Sophie Downey’s prediction but nan mean of our writers’ tips)
Last season’s position: 10th
Prospects
Leicester’s alternatively muted pre-season sewage turned upside down pinch nan announcement that nan nine had parted ways pinch nan head Amandine Miquel 11 days earlier nan commencement of their campaign.
On nan look of it, nan determination appears to beryllium harsh connected a head who will consciousness she was building thing aft a rollercoaster of a first year. As wounded aft wounded rolled successful during nan first 4 months of past season, Miquel trim an progressively baffled fig astatine her side’s changeless tally of bad luck and her deficiency of centre-forward options. Jutta Rantala, Lena Petermann and Noémie Mouchon sustained season-ending injuries; Shana Chossenotte was troubled by recurrent wounded issues; and Deanne Rose and Hannah Cain continued their betterment from semipermanent problems. The protect midfielder Saori Takarada and Ruby Mace were among those fixed a try-out successful nan No 9 domiciled arsenic Miquel tried to find a solution.
An awesome 1-1 tie astatine location to Chelsea successful December proved a turning point. A beardown decorativeness meant Leicester recorded their highest WSL points tally, securing 10th place. They were a squad built connected coagulated protect play, speedy transitions and a beardown spot successful young players – a hallmark of Miquel’s style – and nan foundations looked to person been laid for nan coming campaign.
There has been subordinate turnover this summertime and recruitment has been a challenge. Seven players person left, starring to a nonaccomplishment of experience. Petermann, Takarada and CJ Bott returned location and nan departures of nan ever-present Sophie Howard to FC Como and Yuka Momiki to Everton will person been a blow.
Only 3 players person travel done nan door. The 18-year-old goalkeeper Katie Keane is 1 of nan Republic of Ireland’s brightest young talents and made nan move from Shamrock Rovers. The knowledgeable midfielder Celeste Boureille arrived from Montpellier and Heather Payne besides signed.
Leicester’s problems could equine quickly fixed their reliable start. They look Manchester United and Chelsea successful nan first 3 games, a situation that has go much difficult successful caller days.
The manager
The rumour mill is circling astir who Miquel’s replacement could be, pinch Matt Beard a beardown contender aft his daze departure from Burnley. As it stands nan squad are manager-less astatine a clip erstwhile respective cardinal rivals are recruiting significantly. Whoever comes successful will person their activity trim retired and will request to get a young squad up to scratch very quickly to debar a washout.
Off-field picture
The assignment of Lee Billiard arsenic head of women’s and girls’ shot was regarded arsenic a coup aft his four-year spell astatine Aston Villa arsenic Leicester look to build for occurrence connected nan transportation and commercially. Now without a head and adjunct head – Amaury Messuwe besides departed – he will beryllium engaged arsenic nan play approaches, pinch nan squad besides needing to beryllium bolstered. Will nan determination to region Miquel beryllium to beryllium nan making aliases breaking of his tenure astatine nan club?
Star signing
In a comparatively quiet summertime to date, Payne has been nan signing that has caught nan eye. The Republic of Ireland world arrived aft 2 years astatine Everton and getting complete caller wounded struggles. A versatile wide player, nan 25-year-old has nan attacking attributes to thrive arsenic a winger but tin arsenic beryllium utilized arsenic a full-back aliases wing-back. With much than 50 caps, she adds to Leicester’s increasing world contingent and played a important domiciled successful Ireland’s inaugural World Cup quality successful 2023.
Stepping up:
The 17-year-old Nelly Las has had a twelvemonth to retrieve for nine and state and signed a caller statement this summer. Her modulation from Leicester’s academy, which she joined astatine nan property of nine, to nan elder setup has appeared seamless. She made her debut successful nan League Cup successful October 2024 and has since been a regular successful nan matchday squad. A move full-back, Las tin play connected either flank and was besides utilised further guardant by Miquel. She was a halfway personnel of nan England squad that vanished 4th astatine nan Under-17 Women’s World Cup past autumn earlier helping nan Under-19s suffice for adjacent year’s U20 World Cup.
It was a bully summertime for…
Olivia Clark and Cain made history this summertime arsenic portion of nan Wales squad that competed astatine Euro 2025. Clark, a goalkeeper, played successful 2 of Cymru’s 3 matches. Cain, a forward, was a starter successful their opener against nan Netherlands earlier coming disconnected nan chair against France and England. She announced herself connected nan European shape pinch a finely taken extremity against nan Lionesses. Although Wales mislaid each 3 group games, it was a memorable summertime for Rhian Wilkinson’s side, a first sensation of awesome tourney shot connected which to build for nan future.
Main inaugural to pull much fans
Leicester will proceed to play astatine nan King Power Stadium, pinch play summons and matchday packages provided. A play summons will not only get fans into each location crippled but besides supply privilege entree to distant games, exclusive events and unit launches and a 10% discount connected stadium circuit experiences. Children tin besides beryllium a mascot (seven-11 years) and get an invitation to nan inferior Christmas party. The nine put connected coach recreation to distant games.
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