Ryan Bennett (Getty Images)
According to Leicestershire Live, the future of on-loan Wolves defender Ryan Bennett at Leicester City remains uncertain.
The 30-year-old joined the Foxes in January from Wolves, where he had fallen down the pecking order. Wolves’ boss Nuno Espirito Santo preferred Conor Coady, Willy Boly, and Max Kilman ahead of Bennett. Midfielders Romain Saiss and Leander Dendoncker were also regularly used at the back, ahead of the Englishman.
Bennett was brought in by Brendan Rodgers as backup for youngster Filip Benkovic, who moved to Bristol City on loan. However, he has not yet featured in a single game for the Foxes.
Bennett’s current loan spell allows him to stay with Foxes until this summer. However, there is a slight problem. At the moment, the clause in his loan deal obliges City to sign the defender permanently if he makes a set number of appearances (h/t Leicestershire Live).
This need not be a big concern for the Foxes, as he has not played for them yet. Irrespective of that, Leicester would be better off offloading the defender when the season ends, as he clearly looks surplus to requirements.
Leicester already have a rock-solid centre-back pairing in Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu. The defensive duo has been one of the main reasons for the Foxes’ impressive display in the league this season.
Their consistency has seen Leicester maintain the third-best defensive record in the league this season. The two have played a vital role in the heart of Foxes’ defence, with them conceding just 28 goals from 29 league outings. Only league leaders Liverpool (21) and Sheffield United (25) have better defensive records.
Leicester also have Premier League winner Wes Morgan besides them. Due to this, Bennett has rarely had a chance to break into the starting line-up. Moreover, Morgan is likely to pen down a new one-year deal with the Foxes. This would limit Bennett’s chances, should he sign permanently.
Bennett has hardly been able to get a look-in into the starting XI. Moreover, he is already into his thirties. Considering this, it would be wise of Leicester to send him back to Wolves at the end of this season.
With Leicester having two established centre-backs in Evans and Soyuncu, the defence looks sorted for Rodgers at the moment. They also have backup in Morgan and Benkovic. Hence, it would be better for the Foxes to let Bennett go back when his loan spell ends.
