Leicester City latest: Maresca revelation, big McAteer decision, Iheanacho transfer update

Whilst Birmingham City have been the talk of the international break thanks to their appointment of Wayne Rooney, it is another Midlands club who have been dominating the Championship

After being relegated from the Premier League, Leicester City has shown their depth by winning 30 of a possible 33 points in the second division of English football.

Their lone loss came in a 1-0 loss to Hull City back in September, but they have since won all of their games and thoroughly embarrassed other teams.

This coming Saturday marks the Foxes’ return to action as they travel to South Wales to play an in-form Swansea City team. In the interim, let’s catch up on all the latest from the King Power Stadium.

After taking over as Leicester’s manager for a few months, many fans were unsure of what to anticipate from the new manager.

The Italian had not exactly had a glittering managerial career; Parma was the lone club where he had managed first team matters.

Despite having worked under Pep Guardiola for a lot of years, he is obviously well-regarded as a coach, and he is thriving at Leicester right now, even if his team is perhaps too talented to be in the Championship.

And although though it was a few months ago, Maresca has shared with us what he said to his new team in his first preseason message.

According to LeicestershireLive, Maresca stated, “I remember perfectly because I repeat it: do what we have to do and don’t worry if there are any mistakes.”

“I made this back in the beginning.

Our mistakes are inevitable since they are a necessary component of learning.

“It is certain that we will make blunders in the upcoming games.

However, it is our belief, and we will stick with it.

For Leicester this season, winger Kasey McAteer has been a bright spot—possibly unexpectedly.

The youthful player, who played a big role in City’s winning start to the season after spending part of the previous campaign on loan in League Two with AFC Wimbledon, scored four goals in seven Championship outings before hamstring injury.

Furthermore, it appears that McAteer will make a significant choice while he is sidelined, as Dan McDonnell of The Irish Independent reports that he is on the verge of pledging his future to the Republic of Ireland on an international level.

If Stephen Kenny chooses to play him, the 21-year-old, who has never received a youth cap for England, will have a genuine opportunity to make an impression on the world stage.

Kelechi Iheanacho has stayed with Leicester despite summer interest from other teams, and he has four goals this season in the Championship.

The Nigerian’s future at City is still uncertain, though, as his contract is set to expire in the summer of 2024.

Additionally, it has been reported from Italy this week that Inter Milan is eager to move quickly to sign the striker and bring him to San Siro for nothing.

It remains to be seen if Inter actually makes a move; if Iheanacho does not sign a new deal before then, Inter can move forward with their plans starting in January 2024. This could be an intriguing move for the former Manchester City player.