One of Leicester City’s summer recruits might be rethinking his decision to join the club, as Steve Cooper continues to overlook him.
Leicester City were active in the 2024 summer transfer window, securing nine new signings. Some of these additions have hit the ground running, while others are still finding their feet.
Among the success stories, Jordan Ayew has stood out, earning high praise from a club legend.
“Jordan Ayew is so key for Steve Cooper’s side,” the former player noted, highlighting Ayew’s £8m move from Crystal Palace as a crucial piece of business.
Another success has been Facundo Buonanotte, who arrived on a season-long loan from Brighton. His performances have been so impressive that he recently broke into the top-10 wonderkid power rankings.
Other signings, such as Bilal El Khannouss, have experienced a more mixed start. Yet one player stands out for the wrong reasons, having failed to make a single appearance under Cooper: Michael Golding.
Golding’s Dilemma
Michael Golding, an 18-year-old central midfielder, swapped Chelsea for Leicester in early July, hoping to accelerate his development. The move seemed logical, given the fierce competition for places at Stamford Bridge.
At the time, Golding spoke confidently about his decision:
“I’m really looking forward to making leaps and bounds in my career here at Leicester and working hard to help the team as much as I can.
“Obviously, the history of the Club speaks for itself; there are great players here, and I’m looking to soak up as much information as I can from the senior players, to learn from the staff, and hopefully have a great season.”
However, his enthusiasm may have waned. Despite featuring in four U21 matches, Golding has yet to make his senior debut. If youth football was his aim, he could have remained at Chelsea, where he was already excelling at that level.
Waiting for a Break
Golding’s natural position is central midfield, but he has often played as a number 10 for Leicester’s U21s. If Cooper envisions him in that attacking midfield role for the senior side, the teenager faces a tough challenge.
Buonanotte, who has been outstanding this season, currently occupies the number 10 spot. The Argentine’s form makes him undroppable, further limiting Golding’s chances.
What’s puzzling is Cooper’s reluctance to even offer Golding a cameo. The young midfielder didn’t feature in the Carabao Cup tie against lower-league opposition and was left on the bench against Walsall.
More frustratingly, he wasn’t even included in the squad for clashes with Manchester United and Tranmere Rovers.
Winter Window Looming
Golding’s lack of opportunities raises questions about his future. The January transfer window could provide an escape route if his situation doesn’t improve. His initial comments made it clear he joined Leicester to push his career forward, not stagnate.
As the winter window approaches, the teenager may already be contemplating his next move. Without senior minutes, the promise of progression that drew him to Leicester could soon feel like an empty one.
For now, though, the ball remains in Cooper’s court. Whether he sees Golding as part of Leicester’s immediate plans or not, the young midfielder’s patience may soon wear thin.