Football icon Alan Smith has been discussing his former club Leicester City. The former England international expressed his wish for Leicester to return to the Premier League at the first attempt of asking. He said: “I hope Leicester can bounce back. Leicester has always been that yo-yo club historically. In recent years the club has achieved some incredible things, winning the title and FA Cup, but when I played for them, they were always up and down. Hopefully they can return to the Premier League next season.” As part of a wide-ranging interview, Smith also praised Jamie Vardy for rejecting a move to Saudi Arabia, assessed the capture of Connor Coady and Harry Winks and discussed Harvey Barnes’ future.
• Alan Smith believes Leeds cites Elland Road advantage when discussing which relegated clubs have the best chance to return to Premier League: I would say that Leeds have got a slight advantage over Leicester and Southampton because Elland Road is such an intimidating atmosphere – nobody will want to go there, which is something you can’t say about the other two relegated clubs.
• I hope Leicester can bounce straight back to Premier League: I hope Leicester can bounce back. Leicester has always been that yo-yo club historically. In recent years the club has achieved some incredible things, winning the title and FA Cup, but when I played for them, they were always up and down. Hopefully they can return to the Premier League next season.
• Alan Smith assess Coady and Winks signings: Harry Winks and Connor Coady are two solid pros, and you certainly need players like that in The Championship. Coady is a natural leader in the dressing room who will demand high standards and he’ll want to get back on the horse. I think he had a frustrating time at at Everton. He couldn’t nail down a regular place. He will be hungry to show what he’s all about as a player, similarly with Harry Winks. At Tottenham, he was always just a squad player, but he is a talented boy. I think these are two solid signings.
• Barnes a great signing for someone: Harvey Barnes is a good player. I think he’s really dangerous when he’s on song. He’s quick and carries the ball really well. He can finish well when he comes inside from the left-hand side. Newcastle have been linked with him and you could see that. He will be a big loss for Leicester but somebody like that won’t want to stay in The Championship. I think whoever signs him will be getting a good player.
Leicester City When you look at the clubs that were relegated from the Premier League, of the three of them, who do you think has the best chance of returning at the first attempt? I would like to say Leicester as they are my old team, but they’ve lost a few good players.
Maddison’s gone and it looks like Harvey Barnes will go. I was reading that the new manager, Maresca, wants to switch to more of a possession-based game, where Leicester have always been a counter-attacking side with Vardy looking to get onto things. Vardy is 36 now. Can he keep going in the rough and tumble of The Championship? Leeds have just appointed Daniel Farke.
He knows The Championship well from his time with Norwich, but he is another new manager, and we’re not sure how well and how quickly he will settle into the hot seat at Leeds. I would say that Leeds have got a slight advantage over Leicester and Southampton because Elland Road is such an intimidating atmosphere – nobody will want to go there, which is something you can’t say about the other two relegated clubs. If Daniel Farke can get things together and Leeds can get off to a fast start, that momentum can carry you through the first few months of the season. He’s joined the club quite late, so he’s going to have act quickly in regard to making signings and selling players.
I hope Leicester can bounce back. Leicester has always been that yo-yo club historically. In recent years the club has achieved some incredible things, winning the title and FA Cup, but when I played for them, they were always up and down. Hopefully they can return to the Premier League next season.
Leicester City talisman Jamie Vardy has been linked with a big money move to Saudi Arabia, although it looks like he will snub that interest and remain with the club. How important is it for the club to hold onto Vardy? When you’re Vardy’s age it’s hard to come in to the team every four or five weeks as a sub, which is what happened with him at times last season. I saw some matches last season where he didn’t finish his chances that he previously would have taken easily. I think last season he was stop-start and that had an impact on his performances. It’s refreshing that he’s turned down a move to Saudi Arabia if that’s true. There’s not many players turning down those offers at 36. If that’s true, it’s nice in a way.
Let’s hope he can have one more good season. Physically, The Championship is really trying. There are a lot of games to play. Vardy might have to be used a bit more sparingly. I think he will certainly enjoy getting a few more chances in The Championship compared to what he would get in the Premier League. I think Vardy can have an impact. Patson Daka and Kelechi Iheanacho were bought for quite a few quid and neither have really staked a claim to be automatic starters. I think the club still needs Vardy.
The club have signed Harry Winks and Connor Coady, two experienced players. What do you think of that business? Harry Winks and Connor Coady are two solid pros, and you certainly need players like that in The Championship. Coady is a natural leader in the dressing room who will demand high standards and he’ll want to get back on the horse. I think he had a frustrating time at at Everton. He couldn’t nail down a regular place. He will be hungry to show what he’s all about as a player, similarly with Harry Winks. At Tottenham, he was always just a squad player, but he is a talented boy. I think these are two solid signings.
When you think about Leicester over the years, they had a great record signing players like Kante and Mahrez. The recruitment wasn’t brilliant last year, so hopefully they’ve chosen two good ones in Coady and Winks. One player that is attracting an awful lot of interest is Harvey Barnes. How much of a good player will his perspective club be getting when he moves on? Harvey Barnes is a good player. I think he’s really dangerous when he’s on song. He’s quick and carries the ball really well. He can finish well when he comes inside from the left-hand side. Newcastle have been linked with him and you could see that. He will be a big loss for Leicester but somebody like that won’t want to stay in The Championship. I think whoever signs him will be getting a good player.
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