Will Smallbone tipped to 'absolutely fly' after Leicester City move | OneFootball

Will Smallbone has been tipped to excel in League One with Leicester City after signing a three-year contract, becoming Russell Martin's 15th addition. The 26-year-old reunites with Martin after helping Southampton back to the Premier League in 2024.

"He's a great box-to-box player at this level who has an eye for either scoring a goal or setting one up. I would imagine he'll be looking to up his numbers now playing at League One level," he told LeicestershireLive.

"Smallbone was given his first chance under Ralph Hasenhuttl just before Covid hit and he started to become a somewhat regular fixture in the squad that year. At the end of that season, he suffered an ACL injury, coincidentally against Leicester, and when he came back Saints decided it was best for him to go out on loan for the 2022/23 season."

Smallbone played 50 games in that promotion season, scoring seven and assisting four. He netted in the play-off semi-final win over West Brom and set up the winner against Leeds at Wembley.

The midfielder started in the Premier League before drifting in and out after Martin was sacked. Under Will Still he slipped down the pecking order and joined Millwall on loan.

"He's a tidy player, good on the ball and decent in both boxes. He knows how Martin wants to play and should absolutely fly at League One level."

"I fancy him to get a fair few goals and assists at League One level."

Source: LeicesterMercury.co.uk

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”