Leicester City need to improve their backline a great deal if they are to avoid relegation this year.
The Foxes have shipped 12 goals in their last four Premier League matches, seeing them slip into the bottom three.
No side have conceded more than Leicester City in the top flight this term and that’s reflected in their results.
Though not amazing, the club’s attacking threat is decent and the likes of Jamie Vardy and Jordan Ayew may be enough to produce the goals required of a team battling for survival.
However, centre-back and right-back are a real problem for Ruud van Nistelrooy and should be addressed in January.
Van Nistlerooy has been told to drop James Justin amid his continued disappointing showings but Leicester have limited options at right-back now.
However, the Foxes could now snap up an experienced Premier League defender for a reduced fee this month.
- READ MORE: Leicester City player surely set for January exit after what Ruud van Nistelrooy did recently
Leicester City should snap up Vladimir Coufal from West Ham
With the Premier League season now at its midway point, there are a lot of players in the final six months of their contracts.
One such player is West Ham United’s Vladimir Coufal, whom The Athletic reported in December could depart in January if both parties fail to reach an agreement over a contract extension.
Coufal is now 32 years of age and given the short nature of his deal, he would likely be available for pretty cheap this month.
The alternative option is West Ham lose him for free in the summer if he fails to pen a new deal but that doesn’t seem to be something they are keen on.
As a result, Leicester should look to make a move for him as he would, despite his age, be a big upgrade on James Justin.
What Leicester City fans need to know about Vladimir Coufal
Coufal made the move to East London in October 2020 from Slavia Prague.
He has since made 169 appearances for West Ham, providing a very solid 20 assists from the right-back position.
Coufal earns £35,000-a-week on his current deal, according to Capology – a salary Leicester should, on paper, be able to match.
The Czech Republic international has made 12 Premier League appearances this season but has only completed 90 minutes on one occasion – perhaps suggesting his importance at the London Stadium is dwindling and potentially opening the door for Leicester to swoop.