Which of Enzo’s Exiles is the Leicester City manager wrong about?
You can’t stage a revolution without breaking a few eggs. Enzo Maresca’s Leicester overhaul is no different, with a swathe of international ‘stars’ failing to even make the bench at Huddersfield last weekend.
We ask our writers if any of those big name exiles deserve rescuing from Jon Rudkin’s overflowing to-do pile.
Andrew Smith
Remember Leeds United’s goal against us in that vital relegation scrap back in April? A Jack Harrison cross to the far post for unmarked Luis Sinisterra to head in. I say unmarked, but there was a blue shirted statue in the vicinity, going by the name of Timothy Castagne. Close enough to challenge, nudge, or block, but our Belgian hero just couldn’t see the point. Good luck at Juve (or Fulham) Timothy. Just don’t let anyone see that Leeds goal.
Boubakary Soumare is one of those European football midfield generals (see: Inler, Iborra), who want 30 minutes notice that they’re about to receive the ball and another 30 minutes while they decide what to do with it. Whoever thought he’d thrive in the Premier League really should be fired. If there’s an elite Walking Football club with £20m to spend, we have just the man for you.
And so to LCFC’s biodiversity initiative. Our effort to collect goalkeepers with widely varying characteristics from all over the world. Five at the last count – that’s AFTER Chituru Odunze decided to play his soccer in the US of A. I feel a tad sorry for Daniel Iversen but he and Mike Stowell didn’t keep his skillset up to date. I suppose they were too busy. As for Danny Ward…if a buyer can be found: SELL!
After that it gets a bit harder. I’d love Dennis Praet to finally join Torino, though miraculously he seems to have escaped Enzo Exile for now. He has to be one of the six who belatedly signed up to Enzo’s LCFC – welcome Dennis, it’s a pleasure to finally have you on board. Now practice your finishing please.
If Praet’s resurrection is a surprise, the apparent Jannik Vestergaard (in)/Harry Souttar (out) verdict is one of the greatest mysteries of recent LCFC times. The pair have almost identical attributes and weaknesses, except Our ‘Arry is better in the air, better with the ball at his feet and a proven leader. Someone go and get Harry’s ‘For Sale’ sign and stick it on Jannik’s back while he isn’t looking.
And so to Patson Daka. Spartak Moscow. The backheel v Forest. There’s something to build on. But we need more of it, more often. We only have three strikers so I’m happy to see him reprogrammed and rehabilitated. If Enzo feels ready to take on the task.
Iain Wright
Last season was that much of a disaster that, as we went into June, to be quite honest it really wouldn't have bothered me if everyone was sold and we had 25 new players! They say time is a great healer, and without doubt three wins helps with that.
That said, I do think it's harsh on Victor Kristiansen that he looks to be in the departure lounge. Enzo's system is kryponite for full backs, as he doesn't play with any, but what if the Enzo bounce suddenly goes sideways? Is it really a good idea to bin-off a player that, just a few months ago, was getting rave reviews in the Champions League? Are full backs really that unfashionable?
Ultimately, I suppose we're going all-in and backing the manager, which is fair enough. But, in my view, it is a shame, especially if we sell for less than we paid. He could be the one that got away.
Helen Thompson
I’m going to start this answer with an assumption that anybody I list has a conversation (or has already had it) with Maresca to say that they’re committed to Leicester City and want to stay. Because it’s been incredibly refreshing having a team who look hungry to play for us and want to be here. If Enzo’s choices so far reflect his interpretation of the exiles’ commitments, then I’m with him, get them out the door, we don’t need any negativity around. That said, it is hard to stomach the exclusion of Souttar, whether it’s his decision or otherwise.
Stoke fans are baffled by it and it doesn’t seem linked to his ability to play with his feet, if they’re to be believed. So, then, what? Perhaps he just regrets the move entirely given how the last eight months have panned out. It’s a shame, he was an exciting acquisition, exactly the kind of centre back you felt we needed. Except seemingly all of our managers since have decided he isn’t.
Likewise, Kristiansen arrived in January alongside Souttar and has had a bumpy turn so far. But you don’t get the impression that he wants out - on the contrary he was the only squad member who upon relegation actually put his intentions in black and white. You feel he could do a solid job in the left-back role that Callum Doyle has kept warm so far. Him one side with James Justin the other is an exciting prospect. He’s got the right level of commitment and passion and age is on his side. Definitely worth keeping unless we get a ridiculous bid in.
Selfishly, I wish Castagne was one of the players who’d gone to Maresca and stated he wants to stay but he clearly hasn’t. If he had, he’d be worth keeping on the push to get back. But he’s looked more than frustrated for a while now so hopefully we can ship him out and get some cash back in the process.
Matt Jedruch
Souttar.
He is the only exiled member who ticks each box:
1. Suits Maresca's system.
2. (Presumably) wants to stay at the club.
3. Should have relatively low wages compared to others on the list (Castagne, Soumare, Daka, I'm looking at you).
4. Has played consistently well when called upon.
5. Plays a position where we need additional cover.
6. Bit of an assumption... but probably wouldn't moan if he doesn't play every week.
Ryan Hubbard
To be truthful, it's hard to come up with a reason to keep any of them.
Iversen would be one of those who you could make a case for keeping; but if he's going to be your third choice keeper anyway, we might as well get him off the books. Castagne and Kristiansen are two others: talented players for sure, but ones who we could claw some money back on when we have plenty of other options in their position. Daka is now also some way down the pecking order, but could at least provide an option if we don't get another striker in or the Seagrave injury curse works it's magic on Vardy and Kelechi.
But if we get decent enough offers for any of them, I'd have no qualms waving goodbye and seeing the money reinvested. Preferably not on loan players, either. If we do go straight back up, we don't want to be doing a Forest and spending the entire summer in the transfer market just trying to replace a squad of players who have all returned to their parent clubs.
It'd also be nice to see us look for permanent replacements rather than loans. If we do bounce straight back up, the last thing we will want is to spend the entire summer doing a Forest and having to sign another busload of players.
Chris Iliffe
I would definitely get rid of Ward, Castagne, Soumare and Daka. I’d be trying to keep hold of Iversen, Souttar and Kristiansen but I think we’ll see them all go as well. It’s a shame as I’ve got a soft spot for each of them.
Iversen is a superb shot stopper who would be our #1 under any other manager. We would’ve been relegated much sooner had it not been for his saves in the final month. We probably would have stayed up had Brendan picked him ahead of Danny ‘if in doubt do a star-jump and don’t look at the ball’ Ward.
Yet the way we are now set up means he’s just not the right fit for Enzo’s style. There always has to be a few casualties of a system change and Iversen is unfortunately one of them. He’ll have a decent career and I’m sure he’ll be at another Championship team playing a blinder against us later in the season.
It’s the same for Souttar. I was baffled why Dean Smith wasn’t selecting him towards the end of last season. My heart says he’s a brilliant centre back to have in this division, someone of the big strong Matt Elliott and Gerry Taggart ilk of yesteryear, but my head is probably now with Enzo.
Like Iversen he just hasn’t got the ability on the ball that building from the back requires. That’s why panic Jannik is in the team. Love him or hate him (probably the latter - Ed), he can pick a better pass and get things going on an attacking front. The less said about the defending side the better. A loan deal for Souttar seems the best outcome for each party and helps to clear a space in the squad for another player.
Kristiansen is the main one who I’d like us to keep. I can never forget his passion in his first few starts. In a team disconnected from their own fans, he lifted up his Targaryen-style locks up and waved his arms up and down to get us all going. Finally, a Leicester player trying to get the fans on side. He took a while to settle - and I can’t blame him after trying to integrate in to a team on a rapid decline last season - but there’s a good, solid and skilful player in there and one who will fight for the badge. He’s the perfect understudy to Doyle in the left back spot.
Becky Taylor
Honestly, I think we should get rid of the lot of them if Enzo isn't having them. I'm fully onboard with what he's trying to do and willing to trust his judgement.
If I was in charge I'd like us to keep Souttar, Daka and probably Kristiansen.
Souttar is a proven Championship defender, that makes his absence so confusing for me. Many of our players haven't played in this division, but he knows it and he seems like a genuinely nice guy. I understand he's not as good on the ball as the likes of Doyle, but any time I've seen him play I've thought he looks steady.
Kristiansen is another I just assumed would be here. This system doesn't play a LB but I'd back him to play in the LCB role and he is almost the only player who came out stating he wanted to help get us back up after relegation.
All strikers are in an impossible position trying to follow Jamie Vardy at Leicester City, especially quick ones like Daka. After basically becoming famous in Zambia after purchasing some Zambia shirts from their FA (story for another time), I may just have more of a positive view on Daka than others but I'm adamant there's a player in there. In this league he'd surely score loads given a chance and gives us something different.
Side note: I absolutely do not back Rudkin and Co to get rid of enough of those exiles.
Adam Hodges
With just over two weeks left of the transfer window, it's more a question of who we don't want to still be a Leicester player come September instead of who we want to remain.
However, there are three players I would still keep hold of:
Iversen: the Seagrave Curse struck again with Hermansen being out injured for the outing at Huddersfield and out of the two keepers named on the bench I would keep the Dane. Last season Iverson showed he can be a shot stopper and should fill the berth of third choice goalie for the season. The decision to give Danny Ward the number 1 squad number still makes me chuckle.
Souttar: The Aussie Scot is currently spending time in Enzo's Outback but I wouldn't get rid of him just yet. His ability to head the ball can be used at both ends of the pitch and he can learn from Vestergaard (thought I would never say such a thing) to control the ball at his feet.
Kristiansen: The second of the January signings that I would keep. Has shown glimpses down the left to get the ball moving up the pitch. Would be nice to see how he links up with Mavididi. The other full back in contention Timothy Castagne should have his unwillingness to remain a Fox rewarded with a P45.
If you’re keeping track, the final results are in (counting only those firmly committed to keeping them):
Souttar: 6 votes to stay
Kristiansen: 5
Daka: 3
Iversen: 2
Castagne: 0
Soumare: 0
Ward: lol
And one bonus nomination for Dennis Praet to be sent to join the exiles.
