Leicester City

Leicester City boss Steve Cooper speaking to BBC Radio Leicester's Owynn Palmer-Atkin after their defeat by Lens on Saturday: "Tough day. It was the challenge we needed and type of game we needed, playing against a good team that plays in Europe.

"But, in terms of performance, nothing good about our in-possession game. The game demanded a much more intense in-possession game. We wanted to play quick and they didn’t allow that but we need to play quicker and find spaces quicker and that fell short.

"We defended more in the first half than was the plan, but we did do OK defensively. There are some half decent things to take from that. There was just some really weak things in the start of the second half and some attributes to that I didn’t like at all.

"The only good thing from the game is that it will be an even tougher game next week and, with that in mind, we have to improve massively and I have challenged everybody to look at today for a refence point and to go - 'I’m glad that happened because we got it out of the way for what the season brings'.

"We know where we are with the squad and we just have to keep going. We're crying out for fresh blood, the players are too.

"We are desperate for it in some areas of the pitch and this was another example of that."

On if he has seen the required level yet for the Premier League?: "Time will tell on that.

"All I do know is things are not where we want them to be and we know why. Some areas we haven't reached the potential yet and we know why and we need to make the squad stronger.

"That is what you need when you step up if you want to give yourself the chance to succeed in the league."

Listen to the full episode of When You're Smiling on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's pre-season friendly between RC Lens and Leicester City.

Here are some of your comments:

Jason: Clueless. I’m a season ticket holder and dreading the first game of the season as it appears we have no striker, and even if we did, we have little creativity.

Filberts: It seems this season has the makings of being a nightmare in so many ways, especially in comparison to last season. Last season, albeit in the Championship, was a delight. We we worried losing 11 games! This season, the worry? Winning one game! Keep the faith.

Steve: The poor displays continue. Two shots in 90 minutes is just awful, and at present I can't see goals coming from anywhere. Lens were dominant in every aspect. Stronger, better organised, technically superior, and way more desire. Steve Cooper had no plan A or B, a week before the season starts? Woeful.

Andrew: Not looking good, no goals again. Not much threat, the signings are uninspiring. We look like fodder for the rest of the Premier League teams.

Vinny: I’m hoping that these friendlies are being used by Cooper to establish who shouldn’t be anywhere near the starting XI, otherwise we’re in for quite a battering when we play Spurs in a weeks time. I hope the rumours of Zaha are true. We look toothless up front.

Dave: Extremely poor. No passion. No plan. No evidence of a coherent style of play. My only hope is it is a strategy to confuse the opposition in the first few games.

Leicester are keen on Roma's 26-year-old English striker Tammy Abraham but face competition from AC Milan, Everton and Bournemouth. (Calciomercato - in Italian), external

Leicester City have made a £23.2m bid for 24-year-old Panathinaikos and Greece striker Fotis Ioannidis as they continue talks to try to bring in Ivory Coast winger Wilfried Zaha, 31, from Galatasaray. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast offers post-match analysis after a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Lens to finish pre-season.

Former Foxes winger Matt Piper offers his assessment, plus hear from boss Steve Cooper.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester wrapped up their pre-season campaign with a heavy defeat in France to Ligue 1 side Lens.

How concerned are you about the performance, Foxes fans?

Or are Steve Cooper's side ready for the new season?

Let us know your thoughts here, external - and return on Monday to read the submissions

Premier League clubs are hard at work preparing for the 2024-25 season, and the promoted teams are no exception.

Here's who the Premier League newcomers are playing in pre-season friendlies on Saturday.

All times BST

Image source, Getty Images

Teenage midfielder Will Alves has signed a new four-year contract with Leicester City.

Alves, 19, has made two substitute appearances for the first team in cup competitions and, having been around Leicester's Championship-winning squad last season, is eager for more senior action in 2024-25.

"Being in and around it last year was unbelievable for me just to be around the celebrations and seeing what the lads did last season," he told club media.

"Learning from all the different players here is great for me, I couldn't be in a better position. Being able to play with the players that I have been watching and being a Leicester fan and having this opportunity, it's unbelievable.

"I just want to keep going, keep working hard throughout these next few years and hopefully get more chances soon with the first team. I want to be playing as much first-team football as possible, trying to get some minutes.

"That's the main thing for me, trying to play men's football, that's where I'll learn best."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Leicester City and current Cambridge United defender Michael Morrison expects an improved Foxes performance in their pre-season friendly in France against Ligue 1 side Lens on Saturday.

Leicester slumped to a 1-0 defeat by Augsburg after their training camp in Germany, but Morrison believes the circumstances around the two games are very different.

"When you're in a training camp, sometimes when you're in the lead up to games you probably aren't as fresh as you'd like to be," he told BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast.

"They may have had a session in the morning before, certainly the day before won't be a normal 'minus one matchday' session and there might be a bit of fatigue in your legs.

"I expect this one to be where Steve Cooper shows his hand a bit more in terms of what team he will play next week and then it will be down to the players. You know you have a foot in the door and it's all about grabbing that shirt now."

"I'm expecting a better performance. You can't look at results too much but it's always nice to go into the season with a win."

Leicester open their Premier League season on Monday, 19 August at home to Tottenham.

"You want to see a cohesive performance [in the friendly] and if you're the manager, you're more concerned with the performance than the result," Morrison added.

"That might dictate that you change the team around at some point because you're thinking 'we've got Tottenham and we might do this in the 60th minute or this in the 70th minute' so it's a bit of a dummy run for what you're planning on doing.

"We're not really sure what Leicester we are going to see and that can be a positive because you're the unknown. They need to use that as best as they can."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Leicester City are nearing a loan deal for 19-year-old Argentina and Brighton midfielder Facundo Buonanotte. (Mail), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Right now, brinkmanship is the name of the game. There have been times when some clubs sorted their transfer business early in the window and everyone wondered why so few others followed their lead. Put simply, it isn't in the selling clubs' financial interest, and it usually isn't in the moving player's financial interest either, to go early.

A selling club wants a bidding war to up the price and they don't mind a bit of panic buying when the window is creaking ever nearer the sill. If you still haven't signed that star player who you think, hope or maybe even actually believe, will make all the difference, clubs can get twitchy and make rash costly decisions.

I have watched it happen from within. Good intentions and a willingness to stick to a pre-arranged budget, suddenly evaporates when clubs are bounced into making these calls. There is also a bit of pride in there too. "We aren't losing out on our first choice to that lot!" is a common refrain, especially when it's to one of your close rivals.

As for the moving player, or more specifically his agent, last-minute brinkmanship is the dream scenario. Playing two or three suitors off against each other (and you don't even have to tell the truth of what you are being offered elsewhere) means you can exaggerate as much as you like to up the ante.

So that is why the deals go to the wire, and why they are so lucrative. It is also why I never have too much sympathy for a player, when a huge deal falls through at the last moment. Greed can push it too far in the end and it can all come crashing down, which is why they call it brinkmanship! If you dance on the edge of a volcano you might just fall in.

Leicester City have made an enquiry with Ajax over the availability of 26-year-old Netherlands forward Steven Bergwijn. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Owynn Palmer-Atkin
BBC Radio Leicester reporter

The Premier League season is fast approaching and there is still lots of work for Steve Cooper to do before Tottenham arrive at King Power Stadium on 19 August.

It is very clear that the Foxes are lacking creativity from a recognised "number 10". It is an area of the squad that Cooper has told us that he wants to recruit.

The problem comes from the switch in formation. Last season under Enzo Maresca, the Foxes operated out of a 3-2-4-1 system, that utilised two "sixes" and two "eights". This created a box midfield, one capable of overloading any area of the pitch instantly but also omits one of the most difficult players to find, the lone "10" behind the striker.

Under Cooper, this is going to change. Back is the 4-2-3-1 formation that relies heavily on the "10" to take the ball and be the creative heartbeat in attacking phases of play.

How Leicester City would love to be able to call on James Maddison right now.

Following the 1-0 defeat by Augsburg in their penultimate pre-season game, it underlined the critical nature of being able to bring in the right profile of player to give some much needed spark.

The final issue is that these players do not come cheap.

On the latest episode of BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast, fan group Union FS discussed the growing success of the singing section at King Power Stadium, which has been running for two seasons:

"It's come on a long way. You can really tell that there's been an improvement in each season.

"At the end of last season, it was quite telling with the amount of time Enzo [Maresca] and the players spent with the section during the trophy lap of honour. That was quite telling of how much of an impact it's had on the pitch.

"It's not just off the pitch, it's how it translates to the players and the fact we've had appreciation from them shows how the section has gone and how it's been received.

"Other fans have probably seen that and maybe made them appreciate it more and want to get involved more. If the players clearly appreciate this then that's how we can help them.

"That was the aim of the singing section when we set it up, to increase the support for the players on the pitch and moments like that are just nice.

"It's been a much more enjoyable way of watching and it can hopefully carry on next season."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City defender Conor Coady has been discussing his experience so far at King Power Stadium with summer signing Bobby De Cordova-Reid.

The former England international joined the Foxes after a long spell with Wolves, who he captained in both the Premier League and Europa League.

Speaking on the Foxes' club website,, external Coady feels Leicester City is "a little bit different" to any of his previous clubs. "It's something that I experienced last year with the boys, the club and the owner," he said.

"It's things like how much the club is together, the family feel at the club and what it's like on matchdays when your partner comes down onto the pitch afterwards.

"It is all of those different things and it is an incredible feeling," he assured De Cordova-Reid, who joined as a free agent after leaving Fulham. "So when we can get it going, it will be top drawer - it really will."

De Cordova-Reid agreed with his team-mate, adding: "I definitely think that is going to have a massive part to play.

"Obviously it is going to be a tough season in the Premier League, so we are going to have to hit the ground running. So to have that togetherness and everyone feeling like they are together, it obviously helps."

Coady replied: "Honestly, having you here really helps us. We are buzzing you are here - I'm buzzing you are here - when I saw you were signing, I thought: 'Yeah, I would love a bit of that'. So, let's have a good season."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Leicester City winger Matt Piper has been discussing the difficulties that the Foxes might be having in their search for a new number 10.

Earlier in pre-season, boss Steve Cooper told BBC Radio Leicester: "I don't mind saying that we do need to add there. We are playing players in the number 10 that wouldn't naturally play there all the time, so that's certainly an area of the pitch we are looking at."

Piper explained why it might be "taking a bit of time" for the club to find the right fit, telling the latest When You're Smiling podcast: "I'm hoping it happens this week.

"Cooper has already sent a little message to the club to let them know that for the 4-2-3-1 system, it doesn't work unless you have the type of player that can take it on his back foot and be clever, creative and intelligent on the ball.

"Currently, the players we are using in there - as the manager has said himself - are not natural number 10s. Guys that haven't played there on a consistent basis seem to run around aimlessly and never get the ball.

"For example, if you look up and see they aren't in the right position, you will think twice about giving it to them because if they lose it, the gaffer will blame you."

The former City player added: "Finding a number 10 is very difficult and that is why they generally go for the most money.

"Cooper had an unbelievable number 10 in Morgan Gibbs-White at Nottingham Forest. That is the sort of player they will be looking for. Forest paid £40m for him, a player that wasn't getting much game time at Wolves, so that shows you these players demand a high price.

"I think that might be why it's taking a bit of time to try to find the right fit."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Leicester City are leading the race to sign 21-year-old Chelsea and Ivory Coast forward David Datro Fofana on loan. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Former Leicester caretaker manager and goalkeeping coach Mike Stowell believes Leicester need to improve after losing consecutive pre-season matches.

Speaking to BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast Stowell said: "They're going to need to be a lot stronger, Spurs are considerably better than these outfits out here - we're only just over a week away.

"I'm not too concerned about results, it's performances - and I'm not sure that was good enough at this stage of the season."

Leicester start the season at home to Tottenham on Monday 19th August.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's friendly game between Augsburg and Leicester

Here are some of your comments:

Peter: I listened to the match on BBC Radio Leicester and I felt we were lacking enthusiasm and drive. We are still trying to get to know each other on the pitch and it's taking too long. I'm worried that we won't be ready for the start of the season.

Luke: What is happening? First we win three matches, including against a Europa League team, and now we’re losing matches. We need to get a striker and a central attacking midfielder.

Ray: Augsburg scored (as expected) after 10 minutes. I thought this would be a great test of both Steve Cooper and the team in pulling back the deficit as we will undoubtedly have to this season. So what happened? Absolutely nothing. No creativity, no goal threat, just powder puff attacks. Unless we sign a proven striker (not Jordan Ayew), we will be relegated.

Jim: Pre-season has been underwhelming so far…. and then some! Additions are needed. We are desperate for a creative player who can make incisive passes and a front man who can hold-up/ link play and score a minimum 12-15 this season. Cooper needs to quickly organise and set up patterns of play. Lots of work to do.

Nick: We need a striker and soon!

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester City suffered a narrow 1-0 pre-season defeat to Bundesliga opposition Augsburg.

What did you learn from this game, Leicester fans?

Let us know your thoughts on the match here, external

The Premier League season is fast approaching and clubs are continuing their pre-season preparations.

Here's a look at where teams are in action on a busy Saturday.

Jack Rafferty
Leicester City presenter at BBC Radio Leicester

Image source, Leicester City via Getty Images

The outpouring of emotion at the news of Craig Shakespeare's death is a real testament to how much he is loved and respected around Leicester City.

As manager, he led the team on its greatest ever night as they beat Sevilla to reach the Champions League quarter-finals in 2017.

As assistant manager, he was an integral part of the side that lifted the Premier League trophy - the single greatest achievement in sporting history.

But it was the man away from the coaching achievements that made him so likeable.

If you had to think of one lasting image of Shakey, it would be with a ball under each arm, laughing with one of the players as they made their way back in to prepare for battle.

He was a fierce competitor, but one that was able to do it with a smile on his face.

Shakespeare is a much-loved member of the Leicester City family. The Blue Army will be forever grateful to him for that Champions League night.

May he rest in peace.

A special episode of BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast shares tributes to former Leicester City manager Craig Shakespeare, who has died aged 60.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds