Two of Leicester City’s summer signings —Jordan Ayew and Bobby De Cordova-Reid—are over 30. The last time the Foxes signed multiple players over 30 was nine years ago, in the summer window leading up to the legendary 2015-16 Premier League season.
Leicester have traditionally bought young players to develop and sell for a big profit when the bigger clubs come knocking. This has been a good strategy for the Foxes, but this summer transfer window has seen a slight deviation from that strategy. Leicester have partly stuck to their core principles, signing young talents such as Bilal El Khannouss and Caleb Okoli. However, Steve Cooper has also brought in Ayew, 32, and Cordova-Reid, 31, with the former costing the club a reported £8 million.
Leicester City need players who can make an instant impact
A couple of seasons ago, the Foxes were an established Premier League club, regularly challenging for a spot in Europe. Leicester could afford to give young signings time to settle. That’s not the case anymore. Leicester will be tussling in a close relegation battle this season as a promoted club from the EFL Championship. They need players who can make an instant impact.
Cooper has brought in Ayew and Cordova-Reid for precisely that reason – to make an instant impact. The two have plenty of Premier League experience, having recorded a combined 409 top-flight appearances. Leicester gets this wealth of experience for £8 million – not a bad bit of business when looked at from this viewpoint.
Jordan Ayew and Bobby De Cordova-Reid bring a wealth of Premier League experience
Ayew and Cordova-Reid’s experience allows youngsters like Abdul Fatawu and El Khannouss a little more time to adjust to the Premier League. Both are technical, with Ayew, an expert at holding the ball and drawing fouls from the opposition. They offer good squad depth while being competent starting options as well.
Considering Leicester’s financial restrictions this summer, signing two Premier League veterans at a relatively decent fee could be smart business. They won’t have a long impact at the King Power Stadium, but the Foxes know that. Leicester’s primary focus this season is avoiding relegation and will hope that Ayew and Cordova-Reid’s experience comes in handy.