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Strength in Numbers

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Does Nigel Pearson need to sign another centre-back?

Zoumana Bakayogo became Leicester City’s first summer after the former Tranmere Rovers left-back agreed a two-year deal with the Foxes earlier this week. This transfer suggests that Nigel Pearson believes Zoumana will provide good competition for current starter Paul Konchesky. It also indicates that the manager is quite happy with his current cohort of players with the start of the season just over a week away.

Fans may be concerned about an apparent shortage of centre-backs at the King Power Stadium ahead of the new campaign. Since the return of Michael Keane to his parent club Manchester United, the only senior centre-backs at the club alongside captain Wes Morgan are Sean St. Ledger and Zak Whitbread, who featured sparingly last season. Academy player George Taft has been utilised during preseason and Liam Moore showed promise across the backline last year, although Moore mostly filled in for the injured Ritchie De Laet during the Belgian’s spell on the side line. Unless Pearson is hoping to fully develop Liam Moore as a centre-back alongside Morgan this season, he may consider signing another defender before too long – especially if the manager’s preseason trialling of the 3-5-2 formation is being considered.

The summer transfer window remains open until 11pm on Tuesday 2 September, so Foxes fans should not be too concerned at this stage. Any big-name signings are unlikely due to Financial Fair Play restrictions, and the signing of Bakayogo may be a demonstration of Nigel Pearson’s interest of developing lower league players, but watch this space for any developments. Despite Michael Keane’s age, he actually leaves some big shoes to fill at the King Power Stadium.

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