MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 7: Ruud van Nistelrooy, Manager of Leicester City applauds the fans after the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on February 7, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Leicester City have brought in 10 new players over the past two transfer windows, yet one signing is really struggling to earn playing time.
After returning to the Premier League, the Foxes added nine fresh faces in the summer of 2024. While Oliver Skipp’s time at Leicester has been a nightmare despite his status as their most expensive signing, Bilal El Khannouss has thrived—impressing even in their recent defeat to Manchester United. Similarly, Caleb Okoli shone during the FA Cup loss and, after a brief period out of favor, may have done enough to win back his spot under manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.
However, one player brought to the Midlands by Steve Cooper has yet to receive any opportunities. Michael Golding, an 18-year-old midfielder who joined from Chelsea on July 7, 2024, for a fee reported by the BBC to be around £4 million, was very optimistic about his move. He expressed his excitement about advancing his career at Leicester, absorbing the club’s storied history, and learning from Steve Cooper—whose work with young players is well recognized.
Despite his high hopes, neither van Nistelrooy nor Cooper have given Golding any senior minutes so far. To date, he has made just five Premier League 2 appearances and has featured twice in the EFL Trophy, where he managed to score one goal and provide one assist. Moreover, his U21 game time has dwindled, as he hasn’t been included in the Foxes’ last five matchday squads in Premier League 2.
Although Golding is primarily a central midfielder, he has been shifted into a more advanced number 10 role since joining Leicester and could offer something off the bench for van Nistelrooy. With the club, currently battling relegation, lacking quality midfield options, fans likely wouldn’t mind if Golding were included in matchday squads ahead of players like Skipp and Harry Winks.
Van Nistelrooy recently explained why he felt Jeremy Monga deserved a place in the Leicester squad against Manchester United. If the manager is willing to give a 15-year-old that opportunity, then surely Golding should also be granted a chance to prove himself.
