Leicester City head coach Rick Passmoor says he thinks the club’s transfer window went “really, really well” – with additions to the squad including Rachel Williams, Alisha Lehmann, Emma Jansson, Ash Neville and a loan deal for Sarah Mayling.
However, with Jansson picking up a hamstring injury, that meant Passmoor and the club had to consider whether they required potential further signings late on.
“Obviously the spanner was Emma Jansson and the injury,” Passmoor said in a press conference on Thursday, “so therefore it was the 11th hour – was there anything out there that’s got to be suitable to add to the squad?
“But then when you look at them, the players returning and getting closer to match fitness, we’ve got a lot more depth there, so therefore it wasn’t a necessity. If somebody came along that would add to our squad, we would have done.
“But I think getting the signings over the line early will really help, and therefore all of them have settled in really well around the environment on the training pitch.”
Rick Passmoor: Nelly Las and Simone Sherwood are part of our long-term plans
Two young players went out on loan from Leicester City – Nelly Las joining Ipswich Town and Simone Sherwood joining Sheffield United.
And Passmoor confirmed they both have significant futures at the club.
“History tells you that I’m very much into growing our own and producing our own. The WSL is getting more and more competitive. We’re looking at average ages and debuts early 20 now. There’s very few now that will come in at 17 or 18, or you’ll bring them in if and when need be that’s suitable for them.
“At the moment where we are for both of the players, they are part of our medium- and long-term plans and part of that is for them to get minutes on the pitch on a regular basis. So therefore sending them out on loan will not only aid the clubs they’ve gone to, but aid their own personal development.
“So when they return to here, they’re in a a far stronger place to push and push forward.
“But remember, we’ve got to look after these people and these players at the moment and throwing them at the wrong time can make them go backwards.
“What we’re going to ensure is that we’re working together and ensuring that the players, Nelly and Simone, have the best possible route to the first team.”
