Harry Souttar is one of the Leicester City stars anticipating a move away in the summer transfer window after shaking off his long-term injury setbacks
Harry Souttar has already showed what he can do at the World Cup(Image: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
The biggest upset of the World Cup so far came in Vancouver over the weekend with Australia beating dark-horses Turkey 2-0 in Group D. At the centre of the resolute Socceroos defence was Leicester City’s Harry Souttar.
Souttar captained Australia to victory and was colossal in Tony Popovic’s men keeping Turkey’s 30 shots out. The Foxes defender has gone from fearing for his place at the World Cup to showing what he can do on the big stage.
After three seasons of injury heartbreak, including an Achilles tendon rupture that ruined his loan spell at Sheffield United, the 27-year-old returned to the Foxes squad for the final five games of last season. After being on the bench for the Swansea, Portsmouth and Hull City games, Souttar was back on the grass for the draw against Millwall.
The giant defender scored upon his return alongside a superb defensive performance against one of the Championship’s play-off chasers. He then started the 1-0 win at Blackburn, helping City record their third clean sheet since September.
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“It was obviously amazing to be back playing [but] it was a strange one because obviously the club was already relegated so there was a bit of a strange feeling going into the games,” he told Football360.
“Selfishly, personally for me, it was obviously all about the World Cup. Those two games came at a good time and I can’t describe the feeling to be back on the pitch after that long. It was really good.”
Brought by Brendan Rodgers for £15million in January 2023, Leicester are set to be faced with serious interest for the defender throughout the summer. When he arrived at the King Power Stadium, he did so after a fine World Cup campaign and this year could be the same.
Harry Souttar helped Australia beat Turkey over the weekend(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
In the 2-0 win over Turkey, no player made more defensive contributions than Souttar. The centre-back made 13 clearances (eight of them with his head), made two tackles, two blocks and won three of his four duels and aerial duels.
At the last World Cup, Souttar impressed as Australia reached the round of 16. After beating Tunisia and Denmark 1-0 in the group stage, they were edged out by eventual winners Argentina. Not long later, he signed for City.
This tournament, his performances will only help his case to leave Leicester. When fit and at his best, Souttar is a Championship player but his track record of injuries mean there are concerns.
However, as is the case with Abdul Fatawu, City will be hoping for more fine individual performances like the one against Turkey. The club are anticipating an exodus now the transfer window is open, movement is expected.
Josh Holland’s verdict: If there’s a world where Souttar stays at Leicester and plays close to 40 games in League One, there won’t be many better centre-backs in the third tier. However, his quality is there for all to see and he should be playing in the Championship.
There is some substance in the argument that had Souttar been fit last season, City would have been better in defending their goal. The calamity of Wout Faes, Jannik Vestergaard and Caleb Okoli mean his presence would have made a difference.
His performance against Turkey was a delight to see and it should, just like in 2022 with Leicester, help his case in convincing clubs to bite the bullet with him. When he moved to City, he cost £15m, they won’t get anywhere near that this summer but he is one player that offers the potential of value.
That would be the perfect outcome for both club and player. A successful World Cup, with them having a great chance of getting out of the group, can be the catalyst for the defender to restart his club career and find a new home after a tough period.
If Leicester can construct a deal for a club who have entered the fray on the back of his performances for Australia, just like the Foxes did in 2023, then it’s perfect for everyone.
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