- EXCLUSIVE with Graeme Bailey
Odsonne Edouard has not had a fun time on loan at Leicester City from Crystal Palace so far this season.
The Frenchman joined the Foxes on loan for the 2024/25 campaign on transfer deadline day last summer – after a 2023/24 season in which he made 17 Premier League starts.
Crystal Palace handed Edouard a new contract before his departure – in a move designed to preserve his value.
Unfortunately, the man from Kourou has only played 26 minutes of Premier League football for Leicester City at the time of writing.
Now, sources have informed We Are Palace what the Foxes are thinking about Odsonne Edouard – with a return to Crystal Palace possible in January.
Ruud van Nistelrooy to take a look at Odsonne Edouard
We Are Palace understand Leicester City are exploring the option of sending the 26-year-old back to Selhurst Park in the January transfer window.
The man who brought Edouard to the King Power Stadium – Steve Cooper – has since been sacked as the Foxes sit 16th in the Premier League, with Ruud van Nistelrooy now at the helm.
We Are Palace have been told that the Dutchman wants to have a good look at his squad across the next week, after suffering a 4-1 defeat against Brentford in his opening game.
That could open the door for Edouard to receive a first Premier League start for Leicester City – although the Foxes are yet to make a definitive decision as Van Nistelrooy gets his feet under the table.
Crucially, Leicester City are unable to sign another Premier League player on loan in January – as things stand – with their two domestic loan spots already occupied by Edouard and Facundo Buonanotte, who is on loan from Brighton.
Therefore, if Edouard’s situation does not change between now and January, it feels likely that he will be sent back to Crystal Palace with the Foxes giving another player the chance to shine on loan instead.
Another Crystal Palace loanee is struggling in Naouirou Ahamada
Not only has Edouard’s move to the Midlands proven to be a waste of time, but the decision to send Naouirou Ahamada on loan to Rennes is also proving unfruitful.
The Frenchman is yet to play a single second of football in Ligue 1 so far this season, and has been left out of the squad entirely on five occasions.
At this moment in time, the future is very uncertain for both Edouard and Ahamada – to say the very least.
