By Kwame Bediako
Leicester City’s shocking relegation to League One has dealt a major blow to Ghana international veterans Jordan Ayew and Abdul‑Fatawu Issahaku, leaving their club futures uncertain and raising questions about their World Cup‑year stability.
The Foxes, already down from the Premier League following last season’s relegation, slipped into the third tier after a 2–2 draw with Hull City on the 44th matchday, a result that ended their slim survival hopes.
Collapse seals the drop
Leicester needed a win at home to keep their Championship status alive, but despite a spirited second‑half comeback, they could not find a decisive goal against Hull at the King Power Stadium. The 2–2 result confirmed their plunge to League One, with the remaining fixtures against Millwall and Blackburn now mere formalities. The club’s slide through two divisions in quick succession is one of the steepest modern falls in English football.
Ayew and Fatawu in the spotlight
For Jordan Ayew, 35, and young winger Abdul‑Fatawu Issahaku, the drop casts a harsh spotlight on their careers. Both players are expected to “reassess” their positions at Leicester during the summer transfer window, with the pair needing to weigh staying at a club in the third tier or seeking a move that keeps them in stronger competitive environments. For Issahaku in particular, a level‑down move could hamper his chances of rising in the Ghana national team pecking order, where he is seen as a key young asset.
World Cup 2026 implications
The 2026 FIFA World Cup looms large, and both Ayew and Fatawu will be keen to end the season strongly to secure places in Carlos Queiroz’s final Black Stars squad. Ayew has already served as a senior leader and captain in recent qualifiers, while Fatawu has been touted as a rising wide threat, but League One football could complicate their cases versus rivals still playing in the Premier League or top European leagues.
What’s next for the duo
Leicester’s relegation adds another layer of pressure: the club may need to trim wages and sell key players to rebuild, which could force both men to seek new clubs. Whether that leads to a higher‑level move or a prolonged stay in the English third tier, their performances over the closing weeks of the season will be crucial in convincing Queiroz that they remain essential pieces for Ghana’s World Cup mission.
