Monday 27 June 2011

2010/11 Analysed: Player-by-Player (Part Two)

Permenant Squad
13. Conrad Logan
As the Foxes' longest-serving player, Logan has an odd affection afforded to him by Leicester City's fans. However, his inability to secure a first team place - and subsequent numerous loan deals, this year to Bristol Rovers - has seen him consistently at the bottom of the goalkeepers' pecking-order at the Walkers Stadium. Expect more of the same next season, and a cameo appearance if we're very lucky.

14. Martyn Waghorn
A favourite amongst the Foxes' faithful, Waghorn was purchased for £3 million as a failing Paulo Sousa tried to win over those same supporters. That failed for the Portuguese manager and, so far, for the bright young striker. Waghorn failed to make an impact in 2010/11, only serving as a bit=part player under Sven Goran Eriksson. It seems his time as a star in royal blue is fading.

15. Bruno Berner
It seemed that Berner was set for another cracking season as a reliable and skilful left back. But the arrivals of Greg Cunningham, Patrick van Aanholt and Ben Mee put paid to his first team place. On more than one occasion it seemed he was on his way to pastures new but, ever the professional, he opted to stay at the Walkers Stadium and fight for his place. Hopefully he will continue to do so in 2011/12.

17. Dany N'Guessan
Considering his bright start under Nigel Pearson it seems strange that N'Guessan has scored only three times in his 31 appearances for Leicester City. Still only 23, the Frenchman has been absent for the entire season as he shipped-out on loan first to Scunthorpe before moving to Southampton in January. With Eriksson apparantly unimpressed, it is likely that N'Guessan will spend 2011/12 similarly on loan.

18. Tom Kennedy
The move for the left back was made early last summer and, despite being available from the start of the season, Kennedy made just one single appearance in a Leicester City shirt. Successful loan spells at Rochdale - his former club - and Peterborough United followed and it looks almost certain that Kennedy will be leaving the Walkers Stadium, possibly for London Road, this summer.

19. Richie Wellens
An ever-present in the first team, Wellens was once again the beating heart of the Leicester City midfield. Deservedly, Wellens won the club's Player of the Year award in May, beating-off stiff competition from the likes of Andy King with whom he has made the Foxes' midfield on of the best in the league. Wellens is set to make 2011/12 another cracking season.

22. Yuki Abe
Moving to a new country, a new city and a new club must have been a daunting prospect for the popular Japanese midfielder, but Abe has made the transition and put in consistently solid performances throughout the season. Making 40 appearances through the season, he has the consistency but needs to prove he has the talent to compete with any new midfield signings next season.

23. Franck Moussa
Making the step-up from League Two, Moussa's potential was clear as he was signed by Sousa in August. In his eight Foxes appearances Moussa did demonstrate flashes of his talent and socred in the 3-1 league victory over Scunthorpe United. He moved to Doncaster Rovers as an emergency loanee in January and made a modest success of himself, making twelve appearances and netting twice.

25. Jack Hobbs
Hobbs did not make an appearance in royal blue throughout the season, his loan deal to Hull City agreed in the summer as he followed Nigel Pearson to the KC Stadium. His future remains unclear: remain at the KC Stadium to play a small role as part of the Tigers' play-off ambitions, or return to the Walkers Stadium and play a key role in Sven Goran Eriksson's renaissance? The choice is his.

26. Tom Parkes
Yet to make a first team appearance, Parkes consolidated his recent Football League experience with Yeovil Town and Burton Albion and will be looking for a regular first team berth on loan again next season.

29. Liam Moore
The England under-17s starlet will be hoping to make his mark on the first team next year, having been handed a squad number for the first time in 2010. The defender is unlikely to take to the field in the Foxes's first XI but could make appearances on loan in the lower leagues.

31. Jeffrey Schlupp
The young German/Ghanaian striker is the hottest talent in the Foxes' academy at present. Like Tom Parkes and Liam Moore, Schlupp was given his first Leicester City squad number in 2010 and he was rewarded with an astonishing six goals in just nine appearances (two goals in every three games - better than any England international) during a loan spell at Brentford. Expect Schlupp to emerge into the Leicester City first team next season. He is certainly one to watch.

33. Leon Crncic
The Serbian forward was signed-up by Paulo Sousa after impressing on trial during the summer. But for appearances in pre-season friendlies, Crncic has nothing to show for his three-year contract. Absent from the first team and failing to make a loan deal, his future remains somewhat clouded.

34. Sol Bamba
Signed in January, the friendly Ivorian defender with an odd Scottish/French accent became a Leicester City hero after he scored three goals in his first two appearances - the first with his first touch of the ball in English football against Manchester City in the FA Cup. Signed by former Ivory Coast manager Eriksson, under whom he played at the 2010 World Cup, Bamba is set to play a key role at the heart of the Foxes defence next season.

37. Darius Vassell
Another man who Eriksson coached at international level, Vassell signed as the Swede's first aquisition at the Walkers Stadium. Becoming a first team regular, the English striker contributed two goals throughout the season and will hope to build on that tally next term. His position, however, remains unclear as Eriksson looks to strengthen his promotion-chasing squad.

40. Adam Smith
The likable young goalkeeper made the step up to the bench as he stood-in as third choice goalkeeper, with Conrad Logan on loan and either Chris Weale or Ricardo not selected. Smith could once again see himself warming the bench next season but will most likely be seen gaining experience in a lower league.

Yann Kermorgant
The Frenchman every Leicester City fan wants to forget remains on the club's books and remains a Foxes' player. He returned to France soon after his penalty miss put the Foxes out of the 2009/10 play-offs and made 26 appearances for AC Arles Avignon, scoring three goals. It seems highly unlikely that he will figure in Sven Goran Eriksson's plans.

Cian Bolger
The 19-year-old remains without a squad number at his parent club, but was allowed out on loan and made six appearances for Bristol Rovers in 2011 - scoring an own goal and being sent-off in consecutive games.

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