Steve Cooper will now surely regret one transfer decision he made at Leicester City this past summer.
Steve Cooper was given the unenviable task of replacing Enzo Maresca in the Leicester City dugout over the summer.
The now Chelsea boss dominated the Championship with the Foxes and fans were no doubt excited to see how the Italian would fare in the Premier League.
When Cooper arrived at the King Power Stadium, he had to prepare his squad for a potential relegation battle while trying to replace previously key players such as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Kelechi Iheanacho.
The Midlands outfit made nine signings in the most recent summer window, some of which have performed a lot better than others.
Leicester fans heaped praise on Facundo Buonanotte after the Argentine’s showing in their win over Bournemouth prior to the international break.
The Brighton and Hove Albion loanee has been the club’s standout performer in 2024/25 and is currently their joint-top scorer.
Steve Cooper Leicester transfer mistake now clear
One of the main areas Leicester needed to strengthen during the 2024 summer transfer window was up front.
With Iheanacho leaving on a free, Jamie Vardy turning 38 this season and Patson Daka previously struggling for goals in the Premier League, more firepower was required.
In the end, Cooper opted to ‘improve’ his forward line by signing Jordan Ayew from Crystal Palace before returning to Selhurst Park to secure a late loan move for Odsonne Edouard.
Both of these deals have proven less than great so far, with it clear Cooper made a mistake with his striking targets.
Leicester paid £8 million to sign Ayew from Palace, a pretty hefty sum given his age and recent displays.
After making seven Premier League appearances and scoring zero, it is apparent Ayew has disappointed since his Leicester arrival.
Steve Cooper needs Odsonne Edouard to step up for Leicester City
At present, no Leicester player has found the net on more than two occasions in the top flight in 2024/25.
Ayew has underperformed despite being a regular feature, with Cooper now needing Edouard to step up in the Premier League.
Edouard failed to take his chance against Walsall in the Carabao Cup late last month but there is still time for him to come good in the league.
The Leicester manager has offered the striker only one start in the Premier League so far this term, with the loanee notching just 24 minutes of action in the club’s last three outings.
Given his centre-forward’s struggles to score goals though, Cooper should now look to hand Edouard a more consistent run in the side in the hope he will become their new talisman.