GOOD NEWS: Leicester City’s £5 million transfer appears to be a stroke of genius.
Purchasing Mads Hermansen for under £5 million has proven to be an incredible masterstroke by Enzo Maresca and the Leicester City recruitment team.
Leicester’s footballing style has completely changed from last season to this one. They wasted a lot of chances, allowed roughly two goals per game, and were a rather lifeless and uninspiring team to watch in their final season in the Premier League.
When compared to Ellis Simms, who moved to Coventry for a comparable amount, Hermansen has had a far greater influence.
The same cannot be said about Leicester’s 2023/24 squad. They are creating and finishing more huge opportunities, and they are dominating the ball in every game. They have an interesting bunch of players with a good combination of experience and young. A return to the top 20 of the English football pyramid appears to be on the cards.
Much of this can be attributed to the new boss, Maresca. He’s created a playstyle that’s both successful and appealing to the eye. The club has a distinct identity and plan, and recruitment has been superb.
There is one new player in particular who stands out from the others.
Season’s first signing?
Leicester have arguably purchased the finest goalkeeper in the league for under £5 million. That is an astounding move given the amount of money swirling about the Championship.
The Danish shot-stopper, 23, joined from Brondby in the summer after impressing in his country’s top division in 2022/23.
Brondby were not the most solid defensive club throughout the season. Bringing in a young goalkeeper from a middle-of-the-road Danish team was a gamble, but it has paid off handsomely. He’s the second most expensive Championship goalie in history, but who can argue with his current worth?
When compared to Ellis Simms, who moved to Coventry for a comparable amount, Hermansen has had a far greater influence.
Why is Mads Hermansen so good?
Maresca arrived at the King Power Stadium with a clear game strategy in mind. It required playing out from the back, which would be difficult with Leicester’s previous pair of keepers.