Emile Heskey shared his favourite memories in a Leicester City shirt, whilst offering his views on the appointment of Steve Cooper and summer transfer window recruitment, in an exclusive interview with VAVEL.
The England international went on to make 153 appearances for The Foxes, where he won two League Cup titles and a Football League First Division Play Off Final.
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On his favourite Leicester memory
Whilst donning the shirt of his boyhood club, the striker hit the back of the net on 36 occasions, as he won three trophies and a runner-up medal across his five year spell in the East Midlands.
His first taste of major silverware came in 1997, with Leicester dispatching Middlesbrough in a League Cup Final Replay at Hillsborough, after extra time. The initial game at the Old Wembley ended in a 1-1 stalemate, with Heskey scoring a last-gap equaliser in the 118th minute to send the tie to a replay, which saw Leicester run out as narrow victors.
Despite experiencing heartbreak in the same competition in 1999, the boys in blue returned to Wembley just one year later, beating Tranmere Rovers in the last ever League Cup Final at the original Wembley Stadium. Despite not finding himself on the scoresheet, Emile Heskey started the match and had a huge role to play up front.
“I had a great time at Leicester City Football Club. The League Cup wins were my favourite memories. We lifted the cup twice and scoring in the final against Boro in 1997 was a great feeling. Then to win the cup again in 2000 against Tranmere was also a superb memory. You look at the size of Leicester and to win two League Cups were great for me and the club.”
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On The Foxes appointing Steve Cooper
Enzo Maresca left the King Power Stadium to join Chelsea after just one year in charge, where he guided Leicester to promotion straight back to the Premier League as EFL Championship winners.
The task of filling the void left by Pep Guardiola's former assistant coach was gigantic, however the hierarchy at the club, which consists of the likes of Chairman Khun Aiyawatt 'Top' Srivaddhanaprabha and Director of Football Jon Rudkin, moved to appoint Steve Cooper, who's last managerial job saw him sacked by local rivals Nottingham Forest in December 2023, after leading them to promotion to the Premier League and surviving the following season.
The 44-year old, whose CV entails gigs as an Academy Manager and Academy Coach at Liverpool, as well as managerial roles in the England youth setup (U16 and U17), has a great eye for future talent.
Whilst in his role within the FA, Cooper guided the England U17 team to a European Championship final, where they were defeated by Spain, although it was followed up by winning the U17 FIFA World Cup, beating the same opponents 5-2.
His experiences in the Premier League, which was a brief 18-month stint at the City Ground with Nottingham Forest, saw him defy the odds and escape the doom of relegation to England's second division. He finished above the likes of his new club, Southampton, who he will face this season, Leeds United and Everton.
Emile Heskey was excited ahead of the new era, although was under no illusions that it will be difficult having lost Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall alongside their manager and his coaching team.
“Steve Cooper has done great work with younger players and this is an exciting appointment to progress the young talent at the Club. He has Premier League experience and a good Coach, so look forward to seeing what he can do for Leicester City. It’s going to be a tough season, losing Dewsbury-Hall is a massive blow, but if we can recruit well, then the team can give a good account of themselves.”
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On recruitment to remain competitive
Last summer, The Foxes made a whole host of incredible singings, who each played their part to firing Leicester back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Around a year ago, they completed successful deals to sign Stephy Mavididi from French side Montpellier, whilst Issahaku 'Abdul' Fatawu, who registered six goals and thirteen assists across forty league appearances last season, has already been brought back to the club permanently. Both had incredible campaigns, but will need to raise their standards even higher for the challenge they are about to be faced with.
That challenge was made no easier by the fact that they lost captain and engine man Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Wilfried Ndidi. The 25-year old midfielder joined up with former Head Coach Enzo Maresca at Chelsea in a deal worth £30m. Not only will his midfield attributes be sorely missed, his goals contribution is irreplaceable - the City academy graduate hit the back of the net on twelve ovations in the league last season. Ndidi left on a free.
Steve Cooper is not helped by the ageing squad which he has inherited. Although the average age of the team was reduced significantly last summer, there are still positions which Emile Heskey highlighted that could do with some work.
That starts up front, where legendary striker Jamie Vardy will be turning 38 in January of the 2024/25 season. Despite scoring eighteen goals last term, which saw him rewarded with a new deal, the Premier League is a whole different kettle of fish. There will be plenty of eyebrows raised when the question is asked of the former England international to lead the line again.
Although he is showing no signs of slowing down, his physical state is rapidly deteriorating, and it would be a tough ask to make him start up front for another full season of action. Coupled with the fact that they have also lost Kelechi Iheanacho, Leicester could really do with a number nine this summer.
“I would say midfield and attack are key areas to recruit well as Vardy isn’t getting any younger. I’m not sure how much Steve Cooper has to spend, but I hope we can recruit good young talent, who can get the crowd going and have a lot of energy to give the best they can for the club. It will be tough, but fans know this and I hope we can compete well.”
Emile Heskey believes his boyhood side should be targeting options in midfield and attack, and the board evidently feel the same way. They have been closely linked with former Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite and Sheffield United youngster Daniel Jebbison, whilst midfielders on their list include highly-rated Benfica man Florentino Luis.
They are also set to complete the signing of promising Italian defender Caleb Okoli in the coming days.
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On scoring his first goal for his boyhood club
Emile Heskey scored his first ever Leicester City goal in September 1995, aged just seventeen, playing against Norwich City in the old Division One.
The moment, which he will cherish for a lifetime and beyond, sparked the beginning of his marvellous career, which saw Heskey go on to play for the likes of Liverpool and Aston Villa, after he came through the ranks with the side from the city where he was born.
“You can’t beat scoring and to get my first goal was a big achievement at such a young age. Once this went in, you get more confident and then more goals flowed."
