Leicester City's 4 winners and 3 losers so far including best in the league

Following a long international break, domestic football returns this week and Leicester City will be desperate to get the ball rolling in their pursuit of promotion from League One.

Russell Martin's men have managed only two league wins in seven games this term and find themselves 14th. The new-look City side is taking its time to reach the heights expected of it, although there is plenty of football to be played.

16 new players have arrived at the club since last season finished, with a large chunk of the squad that was relegated from the Championship leaving.

City are still favourites to win League One this season, despite sitting seven points behind league leaders Plymouth Argyle - who have played two more games. This Saturday's game against Peterborough United is the first of four games against the current bottom six and presents a huge opportunity to put points on the board.

With football returning to LE2 this week, we take a look at who the winners and losers are so far from City's opening weeks of the campaign.

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After starting the season completely out of the squad at Notts County, Page has made the most of his opportunity since being handed a start at Ipswich Town. The talented midfielder nearly left the club on deadline day, only for owner Khun Top to decide against accepting Manchester United's offer. His presence has made a difference.

Page has played in all three roles in Martin's midfield, emerging as a key man in the City boss' system. The 18-year-old has showcased his ability to link up play, turn defence into attack, take the ball on the half-turn and carry it into the final third.

His performance at Stockport County was exceptional, registering three assists. There's been hype around the teenager for some time, but this season is the first time he's done it consistently for the first-team.

The Italian was one of the players who seemed certain to depart following relegation from the Championship. Okoli joined City when they were in the Premier League and was called up to the Italy national team squad. He now plays in League One.

And despite playing in the Premier League previously, he is down the pecking order of Martin's central defenders. Harry Souttar and Warren O'Hora appear to be the first choice, with Ilari Kangasniemi signing in the summer. Okoli seems to have players ahead of him, and it's probably justified.

Okoli is a physical force at the back and is athletically superior to his positional peers, but his ball-playing ability is a concern.

This season has already seen Alves produce performances that Leicester fans have been desperate to see for some time. The winger was once labelled the club's most exciting academy prospect and this season, despite being only 21, he has looked levels above.

Alves has scored only one goal and assisted another, but he's been robbed of more assists throughout the season. He sits third for successful dribbles per 90 in the entire league (Harry Howell is top) and third for highest average rating behind Sammy Braybrooke and Page.

Whenever he's had the ball, he's looked dangerous and always sparks excitement among supporters and within the press box. If he can maintain this level, he will be one of League One's best wingers.

The right-back returned from his loan spell at Tranmere Rovers and has made the position his own after impressing in pre-season. Joseph's start to the season was rewarded with a new contract, which in itself is a major boost for City.

He's excellent defensively, with his pace and decent strength. The full-back has made the most tackles per 90 for City and sits third for accurate passes per 90. Surprisingly, he has proved to be a threat in the final third, having the second-highest expected goals on target behind Liam Cullen.

His goal at Notts County was well-struck and he's come close to adding to his tally since. He's doing enough to keep Bade Aluko out of the team, with Aluko another excellent defender in Martin's squad.

Burns hasn't performed at the level expected of him since signing from Ipswich Town. He's yet to cement the right wing spot as his own and has struggled to make any difference when introduced off the bench. However, the caveat is that he's at a new club and some players take longer than others to adapt.

In his last season in League One (2022/23), he scored eight and assisted 11 to help Ipswich earn promotion. City are desperate for him to get up to speed, and spending this international break with Wales might have helped him.

A tough one for sure. The summer signing had looked like he was going to be a starter under Martin, with signs encouraging ones during pre-season. But an injury forced him to miss the first two league games of the season before another setback at MK Dons has forced him to miss the last month.

Chaplin brings something different to what City currently have in attacking midfield and, when he does return to full fitness, will be a huge boost. But so far, he's managed just 36 minutes in the league.

He has done exactly what is expected of a striker dropping down a division. Riis signed on deadline day from Championship side Bristol City and has brought a calmness in front of goal. His double at Stockport was exceptional and his link-up play with teammates has been very good.

If Leicester want to win League One, they'll need Riis to reach double figures. At this level, he should be too much for defenders to handle, and Martin will be pinning plenty of hope on the Dane.

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