The one-time Premier League title-winners will be the most confident of the trio that achieved promotion from the second tier to the promised land of the top flight. They also won the title in the level below with an outstanding 31 wins.
The mastermind in the dug-out behind this success is gone now, however, with Enzo Maresca leaving for the allure of Chelsea after promotion was sealed, as Cooper now has a point to prove at the King Power Stadium, after leaving Nottingham Forest on sour terms in the Premier League.
Whether the Welshman is a success or not could rest on the incomings that Leicester are able to attract this summer, not wanting to rip apart the synergy of the squad from last season, but just adding in sprinkles of quality that can help make the East Midlands side an established top-flight team again.
Here is what next campaign’s dream Leicester team could look like, therefore, with a face that has played under Cooper previously lined up to join the Foxes, amongst other notable deals.
GK – Mads Hermansen
Mads Hermansen will seek to follow in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Kasper Schmeichel, who has moved up to the Premier League with Leicester, with the 37-year-old now an immortalised great at the King Power, having spent much of his early footballing career in the EFL.
The current Foxes shot-stopper was solid for the title-winners last season and will be trusted in-between the sticks going up a league, amassing 13 clean-sheets in 44 second-tier matches.
Mads Hermansen will seek to follow in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Kasper Schmeichel, who has moved up to the Premier League with Leicester, with the 37-year-old now an immortalised great at the King Power, having spent much of his early footballing career in the EFL.
The current Foxes shot-stopper was solid for the title-winners last season and will be trusted in-between the sticks going up a league, amassing 13 clean-sheets in 44 second-tier matches.
RB – Ricardo Pereira
Despite concerns that Ricardo Pereira’s head might be turned during Leicester’s relegation, the Portuguese defender remained in the East Midlands, even while playing in the lower division, and shone.
Pereira, a right-back with three goals and three assists, is anxious to resume his Premier League career after 102 games.
CB – Joe Rodon
The Foxes’ initial move into the transfer market may bring Cooper back together with Joe Rodon, a former Swansea City player who is currently in high demand following a successful loan spell with Leeds United.
He will be eager to put himself to the test in the Premier League, and with Leicester in need of more centre-back recruitment, the Welshman could be the finest option available.
Rodon dominated the Championship last season, with an average of 66 precise passes per match and 4.7 duels won.
CB – Jannick Vestergaard
Rodon might create a formidable partnership with Jannick Vestergaard next season, as the big Dane hopes to reestablish his reputation in the top division with his employers, having made zero league appearances during the 2022-23 season.
Despite playing in a lower level, the 31-year-old outperformed Rodon’s average of 4.6 successful duels per match.
Cooper will try to be equally powerful in the Premier League, where Leicester intend to close down business in some games in order to pick up critical points.
LB – Wout Faes
Wout Faes could be permanently moved to left-back next season to accommodate Rodon’s arrival, with the Belgium international occasionally thriving as a makeshift full-back in the Championship.
The 26-year-old made six appearances for the club, three of which came in crucial games near the conclusion of the season, helping them win the second-tier title.
He excelled in this role during Leicester’s 3-0 victory over Preston North End, with 113 touches and a goal attempt that hit the crossbar.
CM – Harry Winks
The former Tottenham Hotspur central midfielder was crucial in the middle of the park for the promotion-winning side last season, and he felt revived and rejuvenated at the King Power Stadium when his stint in North London ended.
With 128 Premier League games under his belt, the calm 28-year-old’s value to the cause might be amplified if Leicester fall to the bottom of the standings. He missed only one Championship game this season.
CM – Sean Longstaff
Leicester may struggle to retain Wilfred Ndidi, who is rumoured to be on the verge of leaving when his contract expires.
Leicester may pursue Newcastle United’s Sean Longstaff to address a midfield need, as he has previously been linked with the £15 million-rated star.
Despite the infused wealth of Saudi Arabia, Longstaff has remained in and around the Magpies first-team for longer than expected.
CM – Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Cooper will be hoping that Ndidi is the only central midfield casualty for his new side, since Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has long been linked with a move away from the King Power.
Last season, the former Liverpool target scored 27 goals in 49 games across all competitions. Fans at the King Power are looking forward to seeing how he performs in the Premier League if he stays.
RW – Abdul Fatawu
Leicester City are expected to make Abdul Fatawu’s loan deal permanent during the current transfer window.
In the Championship, Fatawu played on the right wing for the Foxes. His best performance came against Southampton in April, where he scored a hat-trick to defeat Russell Martin’s team 5-0.
ST – Tammy Abraham
As much as Jamie Vardy is still blowing off the cobwebs with each season that passes for Leicester, the Foxes will need some striker reinforcements this summer if they wish to terrorise Premier League defences without relying on their combative veteran.
Leicester City have been connected with a move for AS Roma’s Tammy Abraham, who is a prolific goalscorer in Serie A, having scored 17 goals in his debut season.
The striker, valued at £26 million, might be a valuable addition if Cooper can help him regain his form after an injury-filled 2023/24 season.
LW – Stephy Mavididi
Finally, Stephy Mavididi, who, together with Vardy and Fatawu, wrecked havoc on Championship defences on his path to the title, appears to be the most likely candidate to fill the left wing slot for Cooper’s Premier League team.
The former Arsenal youth player contributed significantly to Leicester’s promotion campaign, scoring 13 goals and providing six assists in all competitions.
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