Enzo Maresca is considering a player transfer

A week into the transfer window, Leicester City has only completed one move involving senior players.

Daniel Iversen, who had gone from first-choice to fourth-choice goalkeeper following the arrival of Enzo Maresca, joined Stoke on loan at the end of last week and made his debut in the FA Cup against Brighton. However, he may not be the first goalkeeper to depart from the King Power Stadium this month.

Danny Ward has also fallen down the pecking order under Maresca and, like Iversen, has yet to play a minute for City under the new boss. Wales manager Rob Page has pushed him to get out and play football to be in shape for the country’s Euro 2024 play-offs in March, and ties to Sheffield United and Cardiff have emerged. But it may not be as simple as handing him up to anyone expresses an interest in him.

If Ward leaves, City will be left with only two senior goalkeepers: Mads Hermansen and Jakub Stolarczyk. Alex Smithies, who was not on the roster for the first half of the season, was reported injured in the summer and has not been seen since.

Is it enough to have two senior goalkeepers for the second half of the season? Given Ward’s lack of playing time this season, the answer appears to be yes. However, there have been moments when he has been required to sit on the bench.

Hermansen was hurt in the second game of the season, and he missed the weekend’s game against Millwall due to slight illness, despite traveling. Ward would have been needed if Stolarczyk had been injured or sent off in either of those games.

If required, City may choose one of their development squad goalkeepers to slot in as a third choice, but they lack the same degree of experience. Maresca isn’t revealing City’s plans, saying it’s a case of crossing the bridge when it comes.

When asked if he would let Ward go and stick with two senior goalkeepers, Maresca replied, “We’ll see.” We make our decision as soon as we receive anything for Wardy. But I’m not thinking about whether we’re alright with Mads and Jak or whether we need Wardy right now. We’ll make a decision the instant we receive anything, if we receive anything at all.”

Former City boss Smith bids for Gronbaek

Albert Gronbaek of Bodo/Glimt was one of the prominent names City had been connected with ahead of the January transfer window. The 22-year-old, who can play as an attacking midfielder or out wide, had a fantastic 2023 season in both domestic leagues in Norway and the Europa Conference League.

City, Galatasaray, Napoli, and MLS club Charlotte FC were all linked with Gronbaek back in November. And the American club has now made their move.According to the Athletic, they have made a bid of $9.5 million (£7.5 million) for Gronbaek, which if accepted would be a record sale for Bodo/Glimt.

If Gronbaek does make the move, he will be playing for former City manager Dean Smith, who was hired by Charlotte a few weeks ago ahead of the 2024 MLS season. There are other City ties as well, with former assistant manager Steve Walsh serving as a special advisor and title-winning left-back Christian Fuchs working as a coach.

Maresca’s rotation for the FA Cup fixture at Millwall at the weekend resulted in six graduates from City’s youth appearing: Jakub Stolarczyk, Ben Nelson, Hamza Choudhury, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Wanya Marcal, and Tawanda Maswanhise. Four of the six, including newcomer Maswanhise, began their careers with the club at the under-nine level.

This brings the total number of academy players employed this season to seven, with Kasey McAteer also featured, and it’s expected to rise to eight before the end of the season, with Maresca a huge fan of Will Alves.

The quantity of local boys involved suggests that City’s run of having at least one academy player in every senior matchday team is unlikely to stop very soon. The streak now stands at 257 games, having begun more than five years ago.