by Photo: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC/Getty Images
The position predicted by the Guardian authors: 7. (NB: This is not necessarily Sophie Downey’s prediction, but the average of our writers’ tips)
Placement last season: 10th place
The plan
Leicester City had hoped to start this season with a little more stability than previous seasons, but the club took a while to process the fallout from Willie Kirk’s sacking in April for an inappropriate relationship with a player. The Foxes finished their third WSL season in 10th place despite positive signs on the field throughout the campaign, and there is no doubt that the turmoil behind the scenes affected their form.
It has been a summer of fresh starts for King Power with the signing of Amandine Miquel. Under the new French coach, the hope is that they can build on last year’s positive results, with the core of the squad remaining the same. Fresh faces have been added, with Miquel opting to rely on younger players, while Jamaican international Chantelle Swaby brings more international experience.
The Foxes embarked on their first pre-season tour to Australia, where they took part in the Perth International Cup. They played two strong games, losing to Manchester City on penalties before a comfortable 5-2 victory over West Ham. “It was good to have a lot of time to get to know the players,” says Miquel. “Any time you’re away with the team for that long is good because you have a lot of free time to have informal chats with the players and staff. I feel like it’s brought the team closer together.”
As for the WSL, a difficult start to the season could be difficult, with a difficult trip to Liverpool and a home game against Arsenal afterwards. Miquel is aware of the challenge ahead and refuses to say where she wants her team to finish. “I’m not giving anyone a concrete number!” she says. “I’m not going to risk it. Not too high, because I signed a three-year contract – let’s imagine I finish fourth, that would be terrible, because then what could I do better? For me it’s important to never fall back from season to season.”
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The Manager
Ask any Leicester player what they think of their new manager and “funny” is one of the first words that springs to mind. There’s no doubt that Amandine Miquel’s sense of humour is palpable when you sit down with her, but that shouldn’t obscure her desire to succeed. After stints at Bergerac Périgord and Chamois Niortais, she took the helm at Stade de Reims, where she spent seven years and led the team to promotion to the Première League. At Reims, a lack of resources meant she was more than just a manager. “I’m very excited because in the last eight seasons I’ve had almost four jobs and I’ve still got results,” she says. “Now I think if I just focus on the pitch, I can get even better results. Or maybe not, and that means I’m not a manager – this is the moment of truth.”
Picture off the pitch
King Power admitted Leicester City WFC into the men’s club in 2020, allowing the women to become a full-time team, and the owners have made their support clear. Belvoir Drive is a state-of-the-art training facility that is now home to the women, having previously been used by the men, and the club has worked to ensure players have the resources they need to reach their potential. Their player budget is still smaller than some others in the league, but they have a strong recruitment system that has seen them make several exciting new signings.
Rising star
Ruby Mace’s arrival at the King Power appears to be a sensible move for both the club and the player. The 21-year-old midfielder is widely regarded as one of England’s brightest young talents. She made her career at Arsenal but soon secured a contract at Manchester City, where she saw limited playing time. A loan to Leicester in 2023 gave her a feel for the Foxes and she opted to return permanently despite offers from elsewhere. Given regular playing time, the England U23 star has the potential to develop into one of the best No.6 players in the game due to a combination of combative demeanor and strong technical ability.
Celebrities
There is no doubt that the Foxes squad is full of talent, from Janina Leitzig in goal to the two Japanese players Saori Takarada and Yuka Momiki, who joined in January. The player that caught everyone’s eye, however, was Finnish international Jutta Rantala. The 24-year-old arrived from Vittsjö last summer and made an immediate impression in the WSL, fitting right into Leicester’s midfield and adding momentum to their attacking play. Six goals and five assists was a remarkable achievement for a player in her first season in a league that is usually difficult to get used to, and it is why she has been nominated for the WSL Player of the Year award.
This summer’s business
Amandine Miquel has opted to sign younger, emerging talents over the summer to add depth to the pitch. Belgian defender Sari Kees has joined fellow countrywoman Janice Cayman, while the arrival of Chantelle Swaby to England was a notable signing. As mentioned, Ruby Mace returns, as does young full-back Asmita Ale, who was signed permanently from Tottenham after spending the second half of last season with the King Power. Miquel has also brought two of her players from France – strikers Noémie Mouchon and Shana Chossenotte have played important roles at Reims in recent seasons.
Where do they play?
Leicester City have played most of their home games at the King Power since gaining promotion in 2021. On the rare occasions when there is an overlap with the men’s fixture list, they have an alternate venue at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium, which is less than ideal. The club has consistently tried to grow their fanbase in the city of Leicester and be active in the community, but attendances need to improve as the team continues to grow.
