Leicester City have been forced into the transfer market for a central defender after Ben Nelson suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament against Genoa. The injury leaves manager Russell Martin with just three fit senior centre-backs ahead of the new season.
Disaster has struck Leicester City before the campaign even kicks off. Young defender Ben Nelson faces surgery and will miss almost the entire 2026/27 season after tearing his ACL in a pre-season loss against Genoa.
The injury leaves Russell Martin facing a defensive crisis with only three fit senior centre-backs in his squad. Martin admitted: “It probably means that we will be more active in that position in the transfer market than we would have been,”
Leicester spent recent weeks bolstering their frontline with Wes Burns, Liam Cullen, and Tommy Watson, while Admir Bristrić edges closer. But Nelson’s setback completely changes the script. Martin lamented: “It’s a huge blow for us [Nelson], I really thought he was going to be a huge player for us this season. So now we have to be prepared to replace that.”
The Foxes are now linked with Rangers defender John Souttar and Tottenham prospect Malachi Hardy. Still, Martin insists he will not panic buy just to fill the squad. He explained: “It has to be the right player. We’re not going to get someone because they’re left-footed if he’s not right. If we can get the right profile and he’s left-footed, beautiful. If not, then we’ll make do in the way that we have to.”
City initially planned to wait before addressing their backline, but the pre-season blow forces their hand immediately. Martin added: “I think we’re all comfortable with that. I think it was a position that we were going to have to be reactive in and now we’re going to have to be a bit more proactive.”
Without swift movement in the transfer market, Leicester risk starting the campaign completely short at the back.
