How do you see the Youri Tielemans saga playing out this summer?
I think Tielemans gets his move, and all signs point towards it being to Arsenal. As with many clubs this season, it seems to be a matter of offloading one (probably Lucas Torreira) to make way. From our point of view, I hope that it happens sooner rather than later. As time goes on our bargaining position becomes weaker, and the possibility of any semblance of a squad ‘refresh’ is looking less likely. On a side note, I have been impressed with Bouba Soumare in pre-season and I believe that he can thrive in Youri’s role, dictating tempo and progressing the ball from midfield. He shouldn’t be written off after a difficult first season.
Matt Jedruch
I have to be honest, this saga (and transfer sagas in general) bore me greatly. If he doesn't want to be here, then he can go. He's been fantastic for us, and for £32 million has been one of our most important ever signings, winning us the FA Cup with that memorable goal at Wembley. For that alone, he will forever be remembered here.
He's still only 25, so it would be great to see him sign a new contract to protect himself and the investment that the club made, but if he were to leave for free in a year then I think we've had our money's worth from him.
I personally think a move to Arsenal would be a sideways one, plus his displays last season hardly warrant a move to a Champions League side. I'm not convinced he has the pace to play at that level unless he has a serious workhorse next to him in midfield.
That said, he undoubtedly improves our team and it's always important to keep your best players and build on that. It would send a strong message to the rest of the squad and the league that we aren't going to be bullied in the transfer market. Thankfully, the emergence of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall last season would definitely soften the blow if Youri were to leave, and we have a largely good track record of replacing departed players.
Jordan Halford
It seems bizarre to me that one of Arsenal or Manchester United haven’t just slapped down the £30m or so it would surely take for us to sell him. Both have had issues in central midfield for years and here’s a proven Premier League operator, in his prime, available for less than Andy Carroll cost Liverpool over 10 years ago (always a fair benchmark, I’m sure you’ll agree).
Eventually, I think one of them will shell out. It’ll be disappointing to see him in another club’s colours, but I’d like to see us take this opportunity to tilt the balance more in favour of physicality, which I feel has been lacking in the side for a while now - if we can get someone like Ibrahim Sangare from PSV as a direct replacement, it would soften the blow.
Dave Bevan
I think we’ll sell towards the end of the window. There have been rumours that he may sign a new contract, but I’d be gobsmacked if that happened. If no offers of £30m arise, then retaining him would give us more chance of success this season, while allowing plenty of time to earmark a replacement next summer.
Tielemans was one who didn’t perform to his usual standards last term, but we all know how good he can be when in form. While I’m trying not to make excuses, I do think burnout has been a factor. He’s played 175 matches for club and country since the start of 2019/20; fellow midfielders James Maddison and Wilfred Ndidi have had considerably less game time over the same period. When you compare the number of career appearances the trio have made in total, Tielemans (460) is way ahead by a considerable margin despite being the youngest of the 25-year-olds (Maddison 287, Ndidi 380). With just three Nations League matches played over the summer, a much-needed break will have surely benefited him.
Dante Clarke
I still expect Youri to depart before the end of the window. Taking everything that’s been said into account, it seems pretty clear that Arsenal is his preferred destination, but the Gunners need to sell before they can buy (sounds familiar).
That said, should Man United — or any other club — come up with a bid of £25m+, I’d imagine we’d be open to discuss it. I’d love him to stay but can’t see at least one side not coming in with a reasonable offer.
Charlie Carmichael
I seem to be notoriously terrible at reading this sort of thing, but it's got to the point now where I think he'll still be in Leicester come the end of the window. I'm not so confident on him signing a new deal, though.
However, I'm not entirely sure how to read Brendan Rodgers' decision to send him with the ‘second’ string side to Derby. I have to admit, my first thought was that Brendan had resigned himself to losing him soon.
Ryan Hubbard
It feels like everyone expected there to be far more demand than there actually is. Both us and him are a bit stuck; you can't sell to someone who hasn't bid, and you can't force a move to nowhere. Eventually I assume he will leave, but the big question is whether he uses the tactical nuke and refuses to play before then, which would seem a bit out of character and a big gamble with the World Cup in a few months. Until then, we may as well keep playing him.
What I find odd is that, normally, selling clubs in this situation spend the money in advance. Aston Villa last summer are a good example. Trying to replace a star player after he leaves is like shopping when you're hungry: I have visions of us slumped on the couch on September 1 surrounded by crisp packets and biscuit tins, filled with sugary regret as we introduce the midfield version of Jannik Vestergaard.
James Knight