Hull City defeated the Foxes 1-0 at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, handing them their first loss of the season. Liam Delap’s goal in the 15th minute gave the Tigers the victory.
Prior to that, though, Enzo Maresca’s team had won their first four league contests, and they now enter the international break in third position overall, tied on points with Ipswich Town for second place and one point back of league-leading Preston North End.
Harry Winks, Conor Coady, Mads Hermansen, Stephy Mavididi, Tom Cannon, Callum Doyle, Cesare Casadei, Yunus Akgun, and Abdul Fatawu have all joined Maresca’s squad this summer, while James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, and Youri have all left the club after being relegated.
Smithies, a goalkeeper, joined the Foxes from Cardiff City last summer but has yet to play for the team.
Smithies is presently sidelined due to injury, but given the fierce competition for spots from Hermansen, Jakub Stolarczyk, Danny Ward, and Daniel Iversen, it appears unlikely that he will play a significant amount of minutes upon his return. It would also be unexpected if he were to obtain a contract extension when his current term ends.
Jannik Vestergaard
With his sole outings coming in cup games, defender Vestergaard did not play for Leicester in the Premier League last season under Brendan Rodgers or Dean Smith.
The 31-year-old, who has started each of the team’s first five Championship games, is back in favor under Maresca and mates with Wout Faes at the center of the defense.
Wilfred Ndidi
Ndidi, a midfielder for Leicester City, resisted interest from Bayern Munich and Nottingham Forest this summer.
Ndidi has been a regular of the team since joining from Genk in January 2017. In seven appearances across all competitions so far this season, he has scored two goals and contributed one assist.
Hamza Choudhury
This summer, Southampton was said to be interested in signing midfielder Choudhury from the King Power Stadium, but a transfer never happened.
Choudhury, who spent the previous season on loan at Watford, has made five appearances for Maresca’s team this year in all competitions, however all of his league minutes have come as a substitute
Dennis Praet
Praet moved to Leicester from Sampdoria in August 2019, but he has had trouble securing a consistent starting position.
The midfielder has made three appearances across all competitions this season and contributed one assist, however he is now out with a back injury and is anticipated to be sidelined for three months.
Marc Albrighton
One of the Foxes’ players with the longest tenure is the winger Albrighton, who joined from Aston Villa in May 2014.
The 33-year-old, who was a part of the team that won the Premier League and FA Cup for the club, spent the second half of the previous campaign on loan at West Bromwich Albion after seeing little action in the top division.
Albrighton has made four appearances across all leagues this season, and even though he may not be a regular, his knowledge will help Maresca in the locker room.
Kelechi Iheanacho
With Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace showing interest in Iheanacho this summer, Leicester will have been thrilled to keep him.
Iheanacho has been Maresca’s first-choice striker so far this season, but whether he stays with the Foxes through the end of his contract may be contingent on their ability to gain promotion.
Jamie Vardy
Striker Vardy has enjoyed an illustrious spell with the Foxes since his move from then non-league Fleetwood Town in May 2012, winning the Championship title in 2014, the Premier League title in 2016 and the FA Cup in 2021.
If Vardy’s contract is not extended beyond the end of the season, helping the club back to the top flight will be the perfect way for the 36-year-old to end his time at the King Power Stadium.
