Under the leadership of the Italian manager, Leicester City experienced the departure of numerous essential players from the King Power Stadium, including notable names such as Jonny Evans, Caglar Soyuncu, Timothy Castagne, James Maddison, and Youri Tielemans.
At the same time, the previous Premier League titleholders welcomed a number of fresh talents to bolster their efforts to reclaim a position in the top tier. Notable additions include Harry Winks, Stephy Mavididi, Mads Hermansen, Callum Doyle, and Abdul Fatawu.
Under the guidance of their new manager, Leicester City has undergone a significant transformation on the field and is presently poised to secure 110 points in the Championship this season. This achievement could potentially surpass Reading’s longstanding record of 105 points from the 2005/06 campaign.
In addition, Maresca’s team currently leads England’s second tier, holding a seven-point advantage over second-place Ipswich Town. A crucial match against the Tractor Boys is scheduled for Monday, further solidifying Leicester City’s position.
While the team seems well-prepared for a return to the Premier League, there are lingering concerns from their previous season in the top tier. According to a report from Quotidiano Sportivo, via Sport Witness, Bologna has expressed dissatisfaction with Victor Kristiansen, who joined them on loan from Leicester City in August.
Kristiansen, who made a £17 million move to Leicester City in January 2023, remains the record transfer for a player leaving the Danish Superliga. Despite the high transfer fee, Bologna is reportedly unimpressed with the Danish fullback’s performance this season. Kristiansen, in an interview, expressed delight at the loan move to Italy, citing his preference for an offensive role over being deployed as a center-back by Maresca.
Quotidiano Sportivo now reports that the £17 million player may return to the King Power Stadium, as Bologna’s coach Thiago Motta is not planning to activate the £12.9 million option-to-buy clause by the end of the season.
The article’s author suggests that despite Kristiansen making 18 appearances and playing over 1,000 minutes for Bologna, a permanent future with Leicester City under Maresca seems unlikely. The player’s reluctance to play as a fullback acting as a central defender aligns with Maresca’s tactical preferences, indicating that a permanent transfer may be on the horizon for Kristiansen in the summer.
