Football Season Guide

Stayed full 10 points above the bottom place last season. Still finished only 10th. Had the 2nd worst attack, scored 21 goals in 22 matches. This was expected after the 3 main CFs got hurt in the summer and missed the entire season. Forced to play without a natural striker in many games. In the winter signed 2 new forwards and this helped. Iceland CF Hlín Eiríksdóttir didn’t exactly excite. Showed promise when it was needed most though, 2 vital late-season wins vs teams near them came with her scoring. Going forward she’s expected to be the main hope up front. Parted ways with some good players this summer. Lena Petermann, spent last season unavailable, will be missed. Even more will be missed the hard-working Japanese duo Takarada and Momiki. Both were among the most active players on the pitch in many games. Not agreeing with the sale of so many vital players coach Miquel fell out with the Board. This resulted in her sacking just a week before the season starts. Not a great start to a campaign. Some players are reported to be upset by the way the HC was treated too. Remain light on options in defence too. Only 3 typical CBs are on the roster. New RB Payne could start as a CB if needed so she could be a 4th option. The fact that due to the 2026/27 expansion to 14 teams there will be no real relegation this season seems to have convinced Leicester to try and develop some of their own young players. Promoted 6 Academy players, all 18 or younger, to the senior team right before the start of the campaign. Some of them could be seeing regular minutes if they impress. Winger Simone Sherwood (18) should be among the players used often. She scored 10 goals for the U21s last season.