Leicester City’s winter transfer window was nothing short of a disappointment.
Ruud van Nistelrooy had been hoping to bring in at least four new faces to bolster his squad, yet when the window shut, Woyo Coulibaly was the only arrival.
This leaves Leicester in a vulnerable position, particularly in defence and on the flanks, making their fight to escape the relegation zone even more difficult.
The Foxes are currently two points from safety, with a daunting set of fixtures ahead.
Defensive frailties have been their Achilles’ heel this season, as they have managed just one clean sheet—a narrow 1-0 victory over Bournemouth back in October.
With that in mind, a decision made last summer is now standing out as a major mistake, one that has largely gone unnoticed.
Loaning Out Harry Souttar and Ben Nelson Was a Costly Mistake
It has become increasingly clear that Leicester made an ill-judged move in loaning out Harry Souttar and Ben Nelson, both of whom have been playing in the Championship.
Souttar joined Sheffield United at the start of the season and was quickly recognised as one of the division’s top defenders before a season-ending injury cut his campaign short.
Nelson, meanwhile, was excelling at Oxford United before a quad injury required surgery.
Oxford fans even drew comparisons between Nelson and John Stones, with many suggesting he ranks among the best players to wear the club’s colours in recent years.
Currently recovering at Seagrave, Nelson is expected to return to Oxford in the latter part of the season.
Had they remained at the King Power Stadium, both players could have played significant roles in Leicester’s campaign. Instead, the decision to let them leave in favour of Wout Faes, Conor Coady, Jannik Vestergaard, and Caleb Okoli is looking increasingly misguided.
There is a strong argument that Nelson and Souttar would have been better options than the quartet currently filling Leicester’s defensive ranks.
Ben Nelson’s Key Role in Leicester’s Future
Nelson is widely regarded as one of Leicester’s brightest young prospects and is expected to be a crucial figure in the club’s future.
Enzo Maresca was a big admirer of Nelson, frequently selecting him over the more experienced Conor Coady during last season’s promotion-winning campaign.
The young defender, who has represented England at youth level, is expected to be part of van Nistelrooy’s first-team plans next season, whether Leicester are in the Premier League or the Championship.
At just 20 years old, Nelson’s future looks incredibly promising.
