Leicester City owners give Sven 'no limit' on transfer kitty
Sven-Goran Eriksson says he has been given no limit on what he can spend this summer to build a squad capable of getting Leicester City into the Premier League next season.
The City boss said he had the full backing of the club's Thai Owners, King Power, but said he would not be spending silly money on potential transfer targets.
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Sven-Goran Eriksson
City chairman Vichai Raksriaksorn and vice-chairman Top Raksriaksorn say they want promotion next season and Eriksson, who has one season left on his contract, knows he must deliver.
However, he said he would use his common sense in the transfer market to get the right players at the right price.
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"There is no limit at all – they want Premier League and that is it," said the City boss.
"They are very clear. The target they have the plans they have are the same.
"I hope they back me every time, as long as I don't go over the top. It is common sense.
"If we were a Premier League club we would have much more money and you can't get very good Premier League players to come to the Championship, so we have to look everywhere for targets."
Eriksson has already started to put in phone calls in search of his new recruits and has contacted Chelsea over the availability of loan duo Patrick Van Aanholt and Jeff Bruma, and will contact Manchester City over Ben Mee.
He is also weighing up whether to make offers to free agent Diomansy Kamara and to Everton for Yakubu.
Eriksson is also set to contact Benfica to check the availability of Miguel Vitor, and top of his list is a bid to get Kyle Naughton permanently from Tottenham Hotspur. However, the right-back's impressive performances during his season-long loan at the Walkers Stadium has alerted Premier League clubs.
Despite the focus being on immediate promotion, Eriksson said he also wants to sign players for development.
"As a club we have to think long-term as well," he added. "Long-term for this club is Premier League and staying there.
"We need players who are ready now and ones for the future. If you want players now who can make the squad stronger, they must be proven players.
"Then we have our own players like Jeff Schlupp. It will be very interesting to see him in pre-season. He is a long term investment of the club."
City defender Sol Bamba is reportedly being courted by at least three Premier League clubs.
Aston Villa, Everton and Birmingham City are said to view the 26-year-old centre-back as the ideal man to provide defensive cover.
City will not comment on speculation surrounding their players.
Bamba has been a huge hit since joining City from Hibernian in a £250,000 deal in January.
Comments
by Peter, Yorkshire
Friday, May 13 2011, 5:44PM
“Fantastic news.
Shrewd owners and a shrewd manager imply shrewd purchases in due course.
It is becoming a buyer's market in football just as it is elsewhere, but those within the Premiership sponsors bubble will still be able to outbid us and attract the type of player we need to get us there.
If I were Sven, I would not wait very long for the Loanees.
If they will not or cannot commit early we have to go out and replace them, whilst the worthwhile players are out there and available.”
by foxfaninflorida, Lakeland. Fla
Friday, May 13 2011, 1:58AM
“Nice one Andrew...we were probably the best footballing side, but so were the Dutch Dream Team of the Cruyff era..but thet LOST to the Germans.
It's consistency that gets you promotion, NOT neccesarily playing the best football,
I may not be in the country now, but was a season ticket holder and have seen several games LIVE this season...
so I suggest you do what you do best, carry on being a nasty individual...as you clearly know NOTHING about soccer!”
by david, Alicante
Thursday, May 12 2011, 8:33PM
“Hey Foxinspain!
I live in Quesada! just down the road from you.
Good to know the mighty foxes are everywhere!!!
BLUE ARMY!!!”
by david, Alicante
Thursday, May 12 2011, 8:22PM
“Hello all Foxes fans!
Just thought i,d pop my head over the castle wall! ( after my telling off from the LM for showing any kind of feeling for MY CLUB!) I hope that Miss Whiplash was not too offended!
Anyway, back to subeject.
Personaly i think that trasfer budget is great news for our club. But my 1st reaction was___Don,t tell every football club in England, that you,ve got a bottomless pit of money!!!
Keep it quiet and just do the business!!
BLUE ARMY!!!!!!”
by andrew, nfp
Thursday, May 12 2011, 7:08PM
“"Yes, we all wanted the play-offs, but patience is the order of the day & all bets are ON for next season.
Yes, by his own admission he made mistakes."
you are in the usa . we were at the stadium( season ticket holder ) . we were 7th , in form , other teams quoting we were the best side in the league . FACT . BUT PATIENCE WASN'T THE ORDER OF THE DAY .we should have stormed on ,and made the playoffs . you stick to funny shaped balls as you know nothing about soccer .”
by foxfaninflorida, Lakeland. FL
Thursday, May 12 2011, 5:36PM
“I think some of the anti-Sven rhetoric is a bit harsh. He took over when we were rock bottom, so looking at the season overall, he was sucessful.
Yes, we all wanted the play-offs, but patience is the order of the day & all bets are ON for next season.
Yes, by his own admission he made mistakes. But he did take over a side with a losing mentality and even the best managers need time to change bad habits around.
Yes, by his own admission the loan scenario has backfired somewhat and though he may loan a couple of players next season, his main objective will be to buy permanently.
JFG.SK3 I agree with you to a point, but I think it is wrong to say the loanees aren't good enough for the Premiership. More like they aren't ready yet, but clubs in the Championship are willing to let them cut their teeth at this level. They are young guys learning their trade, (from top six Prem clubs) and need the experience. That's why a lot of other clubs are doing exactly what Sven did, including our Nigel up on Humberside.
I think Sven's mistake is that he signed too many loan players and the agreements with their clubs regarding minimum appearances, forced him to play certain individuals, when he would have preferred to select others.
The guy hasn't even had a full season yet though..so let's put the knives away for the time being at least!”
by Craig, Leicester
Thursday, May 12 2011, 5:03PM
“Sven has not done a great job so far, yes he has attracted some big names to join Leicester on loan etc. But under Nigel Pearson they were in the playoffs! Sven will need to spend wisely and not waste money on players such as Yakubu, whose wages would just eat up the transfer funds. A very disappointing season for Leicester City!”
by Dell Elliott, loughborough
Thursday, May 12 2011, 4:40PM
“No money to spend,disaster.Money to spend,disaster.What to do,what to do.Yippee!Money to spend is better than no money to spend.”
by is sven, stupid ?
Thursday, May 12 2011, 4:39PM
“jfg sk3 , you are spot on . loan players were not the core for the teams promoted . the young players on loan were ok , but not experienced enough ,their minds not 100% lcfc , we need leicester players next season , 100% lcfc , not loan players hoping for a game with THEIR own team someday .
david , i bet you are ok with marlon king too eh ? sven is not what you think he is .
"no limit to spending"
what a absolutely stupid UNPROFFESSIONAL comment to come out with .we will now pay top dollar. THERE IS A LIMIT TOO, THEY ONLY HAVE SO MUCH MONEY .”
by patrick, Germany
Thursday, May 12 2011, 1:18PM
“Cannot agree Jumpers ( not mocking or abusing). The Premier is so competitive that top clubs cannot develop young players with first team games so the go out on loan. Naughton a young cast-off ? I think not. (Spurs supporters were calling for him on Skysport today. Nor were Davies, Cleverley etc etc castoffs.
We need experienced defenders to support younger players (remember Brown) and coolheads in front of goal.
I personally do not rate Vassell but he is in cotract, and sure Sven makes errors and is short on lower class experience.
We were at least 4 players short of a good squad this season. Lets support him unless he fails to see this and to act.”