Smart Leicester City decision to ease transfer concerns not that simple

When there are no new signings to attract the spotlight, players who at least feel fresh tend to get extra attention in pre-season matches. And so it was perhaps not a surprise that Dennis Praet caught the eye against OH Leuven.

The Belgian midfielder, playing in his hometown, was wearing Leicester City blue for the first time in almost a year having spent last season on loan with Torino. And he was still as good as everybody remembered.

That should not be a surprise either. When he was fit to feature for Torino last term, their form was of a team competing for the Champions League places. When he was injured, Torino picked up points as infrequently as a relegated side.

That’s what Praet is, somebody who makes teams better. He’s a very good all-around midfielder and provided a reminder of that on Saturday with his strength and composure in possession, his quick, accurate movement of the ball, and his runs into the box. But more than that, he makes those around him better too, because he creates space or provides an option to link play.

When the manager has requested two new central midfielders but is struggling to bring players in, keeping Praet around feels like a smart move. But it’s not that simple.

Praet was forthright about his lack of game-time at the end of the 2020-21 season and Brendan Rodgers’ lack of an explanation for that, saying he was “treated unfairly”, and so it feels like bridges need to be rebuilt.

With the switch back to a 4-3-3 with two number eights in midfield, it does feel like Praet would be more suited to how City play now. Having previously struggled to reach the heights of Youri Tielemans in the deeper position and of James Maddison behind the striker, the all-around qualities needed for the