Can Leicester City Redeem Themselves in the 2026/27 Season?
The Foxes’ Story So Far
Leicester City Women, until being acquired by King Power in 2020, were an independent club who saw a record of four successive league promotions following their founding in 2004.
They were first promoted to the WSL during the 2020/2021 season, and remained there until their relegation in the recent 2025/2026 season. While never finishing particularly impressively on the table across these years, the team earned their spot in the increasingly dynamic league by showing resilience amidst dips in success, and giving home to both budding young talents and players with lengthy WSL experience.
However, with only two wins in twenty-two matches, and the lowest ball possession in the league at 37% in the recent season, it became clear that tactically, the team was not up to WSL standards. There was an unsuccessful attempt at a mid-season reform, bringing in the likes of Alisha Lehmann from Como, Tottenham Hotspurs’ veteran Ashley Neville, and Manchester United’s Rachel Williams. Still, the side struggled immensely in both defence and offence, conceding far more than they scored.
Though relegation was predicted by many given performances across the recent season, it came as a disappointing blow nonetheless, notably given the expansion of the WSL which provided them a chance of redemption through an extra play-off against the now-promoted Charlton Athletic. Despite efforts during a resulting penalty-shootout, the women followed in the men's side's footsteps and descended the league pyramid.
Departures
Following on from this result, Leicester City have sold the most players of any WSL/WSL2 club during the summer transfer window, with ten sold and four leaving following the end of their contract.
Decorated German goalkeeper Janina Leitzig made up one of Manchester United’s two (as of the end of August) squad additions, while Everton gained three Foxes through forward trio Hannah Cain, Jutta Rantala, and Noemie Mouchon.
Shannon O’Brien, who was a consistent top goal-scorer for the club since promotion to the WSL in 2020, now joins WSL side Crystal Palace. Mouchon and O’Brian were behind a sweeping majority of Leicester City’s goal attempts in the recent season.
Despite only spending half a season at Leicester City, Ashleigh Neville and Rachel Williams both departed the club. Neville brought immense quality with her diverse fullback capabilities, wrangling the most tackles, and the second most defensive contributions in the WSL this season; she goes to Charlton Athletic, while 38-year-old Rachel Williams leaves for WSL2’s Burnley.
Other notable departures include talented 18-year-old right-back Nelly Las who was bought by Chelsea, and Australian international Emily Van Egmond who also leaves for Charlton Athletic.
Renewals and Signings
Four players renewed their contracts this summer: goalkeeper Olivia Clark, defender Celeste Boureille, academy-produced forward Denny Draper, and Leicester-loyal captain Sam Tierney.
Meanwhile, the club has welcomed eight new squad members so far. Notable arrivals include Manchester City academy product and Young Lioness Poppy Pritchard, Tottenham academy product Araya Dennis who recently announced her loan spell at LCFCW, and West Ham’s Irish duo Jessie Stapleton and Jess Ziu.
In contrast to what seemed to be the club previously having an eye for experienced players, this window shows a focus on young talent, with seven of the eight being 20 to 25 years old. Additionally, with only three defenders, three strikers, and two midfielders, it seems squad depth is at the forefront of the club’s concerns.
Looking Towards the Future
A significant squad shift came as no shock to fans, who felt newly-appointed Rick Passmore did not utilise the strengths of the team he inherited. A story of unease with head coaches had followed Leicester City for some time prior, and though players suggested the 2025/2026 season brought a much more positive environment to the team, with the results they achieved, a complete overhaul of strategy and players feels a reasonable response.
Furthermore, the number of player sales means income to the club that can be reinvested elsewhere—which is integral when a primary concern during a situation like this is whether funding will be cut. Coming as a relief to fans, the Foxes remain stationed at King Power Stadium.
With both the WSL and the WSL2 becoming increasingly competitive between signings and investment, Leicester City have their work cut out for them if they are to see a promotion at the end of the season.
So far in pre-season friendlies they have won against Rugby Borough, tied with Manchester United, and lost to Everton and Liverpool. Despite this, there feels a sense of optimism surrounding the club’s considerable internal movement since relegation. Sam Tierney spoke positively to BBC Sport earlier this month, stating that:
"You can see there's been a reflection period, there's been a review and you can see the direction we want to go in. We can feel that. We've changed.”
She also spoke of the squad shift, emphasising the importance of having “drive and desire to commit” in a situation like this, which she believes the new signings have brought:
“We want to be a different Leicester and it's time to change the narrative on who we are and how we're seen."