Ruud van Nistelrooy has the daunting task of keeping Leicester City in the Premier League beyond the 2024/25 season.
The Dutchman was installed as Steve Cooper’s replacement last month and has so far taken charge of two games.
Leicester City picked up four points from said outings, beating West Ham United 3-1 and mounting a comeback from 2-0 down to draw with Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend.
A tough away meeting with Newcastle United is next up, while clashes with Liverpool and Manchester City are on the cards later this month.
So, while there is currently a five-point gap between the Foxes and the relegation zone, that could easily have shrunk to zero come the end of December.
With the threat of a swift return to the Championship still looming, Ruud van Nistelrooy should be eager to strengthen his squad in the 2025 January transfer window.
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Ruud van Nistelrooy must address big Leicester City problems in January
Leicester fans mooted a return for Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall after the now-Chelsea man was tipped for a return.
The main issue the Foxes faithful seemed to have with the former star returning was that the central midfield position is not a priority currently.
Defensive frailties need to be addressed, with the Midlands side having conceded the third-most goals in the top-flight going into the weekend.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 12 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 19 | 21 | -2 | 20 |
| 13 |  Man UtdManchester United | 15 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 19 | 18 | 1 | 19 |
| 14 |  West HamWest Ham | 15 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 20 | 28 | -8 | 18 |
| 15 |  EvertonEverton | 14 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 14 | 21 | -7 | 14 |
| 16 |  LeicesterLeicester | 15 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 21 | 30 | -9 | 14 |
| 17 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 15 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 20 | -6 | 13 |
| 18 |  IpswichIpswich | 15 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 27 | -13 | 9 |
| 19 |  WolvesWolves | 15 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 23 | 38 | -15 | 9 |
| 20 |  SouthamptonSouthampton | 15 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 11 | 31 | -20 | 5 |
Further forward, meanwhile, Abdul Fatawu is out for the rest of the season, leaving the club short of options on the wings.
Odsonne Edouard has struggled at Leicester since his loan move from Crystal Palace as well, with the Foxes currently short of quality centre-forward options to compete with an ageing Jamie Vardy.
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Richarlison transfer would solve two Leicester City problems
One man who could solve two of the club’s biggest problems with his arrival is Richarlisnon.
The 27-year-old joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2022 but according to journalist Ben Jacobs, he is now ‘willing to leave’ North London.
Jacobs said: “The situation with Richarlison, the player was absolutely adamant last summer that he wanted to fight for his place at Spurs and we were all pleased to see him happy, most of us wanted it to work at Spurs, and Richarlison to be that £60m player and thrive.
“But now, I’m told the player has changed his mind in the last few months and he’s willing to leave Spurs in 2025.”
The Brazilian joined Spurs for a £60m fee, according to BBC Sport, but it’s hard to see him fetching anywhere close to that sum right now.
His form may have dropped off somewhat in 2024/25, in part due to injury issues, but the fact he is very comfortable playing as a striker or on the left wing means Richarlisnon would be excellent cover for both Vardy and the injured Fatawu.