Leicester City prepare to launch their 2026/27 League One campaign against Notts County with Harry Souttar taking the captain’s armband. Manager Russell Martin has bolstered squad leadership while making selection decisions between academy talents Joseph and Bade Aluko.
The Foxes enter the third tier as promotion frontrunners following their relegation in April. Martin’s side already secured a Carabao Cup victory over Northampton and now turn their focus to league action. Selection debate has centered on academy products JJ Joseph and Bade Aluko after both impressed in pre-season. Explaining his decision up front, Martin said: “It’s so close between him and Bade as well, they get on really well, two young guys coming through the academy – it’s really exciting for us to work with and hopefully exciting for the fans to see them on the pitch and doing what they’re doing.”
Joseph got the starting nod against Northampton due to his defensive work, though Aluko made a strong impression off the bench. Addressing the choice, Martin added: “I said to Bade that it’s really unlucky that he’s not starting the game, two of our really top performers over pre-season. At the minute it’s JJ but Bade came on and did great. They’ve been really exciting players and JJ deserves it.”
Leadership remains a central theme for the new manager. Harry Souttar will captain the side at Notts County, but Martin is actively building a wider group of experienced figures. “I think it’s really important that this club and the dressing room has leaders, I think we’ve added that to the group. It’s up to us to enable other leaders to come through, like Ben was captain in pre-season a lot, to try and add that to his game and to his on-pitch personality.”
Summer additions Wes Burns, Conor Chaplin, and goalkeeper Alex McCarthy bring crucial experience to the squad. Speaking about McCarthy’s role, Martin noted: “Players that have been there and done it, Alex McCarthy in his own way [too]. He’s not a shouter, but he will lead by example and he captained us a couple of times at Southampton as well.”
With eight summer signings already completed, Leicester continue to monitor loan targets before the transfer deadline. The quest for immediate promotion begins now.
