Leicester City potential clouded by transfer struggle begins to peek through

Pre-season is supposed to be a time for optimism. The previous campaign is in the past and the slate is clean. There are a world of possibilities for the coming year. At this stage, with no competitive matches played, there is nothing that should be dampening spirits.

But at Leicester City, for the first couple of weeks of pre-season, that optimism wasn’t there. The transfer situation at the club, with no signings made despite manager Brendan Rodgers emphasising the need for five or six recruits to freshen up the squad, had left fans in a malaise. Even Rodgers himself had a look of concern as he explained the realities of City’s transfer business.

That he then went on to say there would need to be “different expectations” for the new season did not help the mood. There won’t have been many fans excitedly counting down the days to Brentford. Some may even have questioned their season-ticket purchases.

But in the space of a week, the mood in the fanbase has lifted considerably. It is not just that City have won three games in four days, but the manner in which they did so, scoring nine goals, conceding just two, and playing with a confidence and control that could have led to bigger margins of victory.

There has been a fluidity and intent to City’s attack. They look like they are playing to a game plan they have faith in, but that also gives them the freedom to be creative.

The players at the top end of the pitch look fit, hungry, and in form. At Preston, City won 2-1, but it would not have been unfair on the Championship side had they walked away with four or five goals.

The likes of James Maddison, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Harvey Barnes look like they will be hitting the season proper at full pelt. City have even