5th: Leicester City
The Foxes always look like they’re finally getting back into the Champions League but run out of gas at the end every year. Sadly, I see more of the same this year. One thing that certainly doesn’t help is losing Wesley Fofana in a preseason friendly just weeks before the new campaign kicks off. They went to work quickly replacing him with Southampton defender Jannik Vestergaard. The towering 6′ 6″ center back will fill in nicely for Fofana as he was a bright spot in a poor Southampton side last year.
Kelechi Iheanacho caught fire in the second half of last year’s campaign scoring all 12 of his Premier League goals after February 1st. Between him, Jamie Vardy, and new forward signing Patson Daka from RB Salzburg, I see a lot of goals this season.
The Foxes also strengthened the heart of their midfield with the signing of Boubakary Soumare from Ligue 1 winning side LOSC Lille. Soumare was a key part of Lille’s title winning season at only 22 playing in 32 of their games.
Harvey Barnes returns from injury for the start of this year which is another huge boost for the Foxes. Barnes was in contention for the England squad before going down with a major injury last season. If James Maddison stays despite interest from clubs like Arsenal then Barnes and Maddison will be a dangerous duo behind these Leicester forwards.
With these new signings and not losing any important players from their squad yet this window, Leicester are in for another top 6 finish.