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Independent bloggers for Leicester till I die, giving you a non biased view of Leicester City FC news & rumours
Leicester simply cannot afford to commit the blunder of letting £25m star leave in January
by Siddharth Suresh
Why Leicester should resist any approach from other clubs for Iheanacho
According to The Athletic (h/t Birmingham Live), Aston Villa have Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho on their radar.
The 23-year old Iheanacho is being pursued by Dean Smith’s Villa ahead of the winter transfer window.
Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho. (Getty Images)Villa, who gained promotion to the Premier League this season had spent significantly in the summer to add more strength to their squad. Hence, the January transfer window should be a rather quiet affair for the Villans. However, Smith must bolster his squad by adding more depth to it, with the second half of the season soon to begin. The Birmingham side currently have two back up options in Jonathan Kodjia and Keinan Davis for their main striker and summer signing Wesley.
Kodjia is nearing his thirties, while Davis is out due to injury and hence, the search for a new forward must be one of Smith’s top priorities during the January transfer window.
With this in mind, the Lions are eyeing a possible loan move for Iheanacho, who recently impressed with an assist and a late winner in Leicester’s 2-1 win over Everton. It was the young striker’s first appearance of the season under manager Brendan Rodgers after consistently being overlooked due to main striker Jamie Vardy’s sensational form.
Vardy, on the other hand, is the league’s top-scorer with 13 goals, and it has been hard for the young Iheanacho to bag some game time given the Englishman’s eye-catching displays on the field.
Leicester under Rodgers are flying high this season, as they sit comfortably at second place, eight points behind leaders Liverpool. So far, the Foxes have won 10 out of 14 matches and Iheanacho was the man to thank last time, as he helped them continue their unbeaten run to six matches by scoring late against the Toffees.
The Nigerian has scored in every match he has played this season, even after being snubbed constantly by Rodgers. He has netted 3 times in as many matches across all competitions this season.
After joining the Manchester City academy in 2014, Iheanacho quickly rose up through the ranks and was handed his senior debut the very next year. The Super Eagles frontman spent two seasons with City before making his move to Leicester in 2017. During his time at Manchester, Iheanacho played 64 matches and scored 21 times, while also winning the Carabao Cup (2016).
Since joining the Foxes for £25m in 2017, the Nigerian has made most of his appearances from the bench due to first-choice striker Jamie Vardy’s consistent form.
To date, the youngster has 13 goals and 9 assists from 66 appearances for the Foxes. Iheanacho, who plays as a second striker at times, is also an under-17 World Cup winner with Nigeria (2013). He played a crucial role in their cup-winning campaign, scoring 6 and assisting 7 to grab the Golden Ball award.
He has so far featured in 23 matches for the Eagles senior side and has hit the target 7 times. Meanwhile, the Foxes, who are in top-form, have only Iheanacho as a back-up to main man Vardy. With clubs such as Villa interested in the youngster, Leicester would be left with no other forward if they allow the Nigerian a move away from the club.
Verdict
With not many options left for the finisher’s role, it would be really unwise of the Foxes to let go of their young striker. Moreover, having another finisher would offer Rodgers more options in the attack.
by Siddharth Suresh
Why Leicester should resist any approach from other clubs for Iheanacho
According to The Athletic (h/t Birmingham Live), Aston Villa have Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho on their radar.
The 23-year old Iheanacho is being pursued by Dean Smith’s Villa ahead of the winter transfer window.
Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho. (Getty Images)Villa, who gained promotion to the Premier League this season had spent significantly in the summer to add more strength to their squad. Hence, the January transfer window should be a rather quiet affair for the Villans. However, Smith must bolster his squad by adding more depth to it, with the second half of the season soon to begin. The Birmingham side currently have two back up options in Jonathan Kodjia and Keinan Davis for their main striker and summer signing Wesley.
Kodjia is nearing his thirties, while Davis is out due to injury and hence, the search for a new forward must be one of Smith’s top priorities during the January transfer window.
With this in mind, the Lions are eyeing a possible loan move for Iheanacho, who recently impressed with an assist and a late winner in Leicester’s 2-1 win over Everton. It was the young striker’s first appearance of the season under manager Brendan Rodgers after consistently being overlooked due to main striker Jamie Vardy’s sensational form.
Vardy, on the other hand, is the league’s top-scorer with 13 goals, and it has been hard for the young Iheanacho to bag some game time given the Englishman’s eye-catching displays on the field.
Leicester under Rodgers are flying high this season, as they sit comfortably at second place, eight points behind leaders Liverpool. So far, the Foxes have won 10 out of 14 matches and Iheanacho was the man to thank last time, as he helped them continue their unbeaten run to six matches by scoring late against the Toffees.
The Nigerian has scored in every match he has played this season, even after being snubbed constantly by Rodgers. He has netted 3 times in as many matches across all competitions this season.
After joining the Manchester City academy in 2014, Iheanacho quickly rose up through the ranks and was handed his senior debut the very next year. The Super Eagles frontman spent two seasons with City before making his move to Leicester in 2017. During his time at Manchester, Iheanacho played 64 matches and scored 21 times, while also winning the Carabao Cup (2016).
Since joining the Foxes for £25m in 2017, the Nigerian has made most of his appearances from the bench due to first-choice striker Jamie Vardy’s consistent form.
To date, the youngster has 13 goals and 9 assists from 66 appearances for the Foxes. Iheanacho, who plays as a second striker at times, is also an under-17 World Cup winner with Nigeria (2013). He played a crucial role in their cup-winning campaign, scoring 6 and assisting 7 to grab the Golden Ball award.
He has so far featured in 23 matches for the Eagles senior side and has hit the target 7 times. Meanwhile, the Foxes, who are in top-form, have only Iheanacho as a back-up to main man Vardy. With clubs such as Villa interested in the youngster, Leicester would be left with no other forward if they allow the Nigerian a move away from the club.
Verdict
With not many options left for the finisher’s role, it would be really unwise of the Foxes to let go of their young striker. Moreover, having another finisher would offer Rodgers more options in the attack.
Leicester’s future would be secure if they sign this shining 21-year-old starlet
by Indhrajit James
Why Eberechi Eze would be a good futuristic signing for Leicester City
Reports from West London Sport suggest that Leicester City are keeping close tabs on Championship starlet Eberechi Eze, who plies his trade with Queens Park Rangers.
Eze, 21, has been a vital member of Mark Warburton’s squad this season. He has started in all of QPR’s 19 games in the league. Having scored 7 goals and assisted 4 times for his team, Eze has caught the eyes of Premier League clubs.
The report also suggests that Eze was Tottenham’s top target under Mauricio Pochettino but his move seems less likely with the arrival of Jose Mourinho. The Foxes are on a spectacular run of form this season and are currently 2nd in the league standings. A hard-fought 2-1 victory over Everton saw them move ahead of Manchester City.
The Foxes have quite an array of talents in the midfield in James Maddison, Youri Tielemans, Wilfred Ndidi and many more. Maddison has been their playmaker all season and Ndidi has shielded the opponents in the middle of the park. With regard to this, it would be almost impossible for Eberechi Eze to make it to Brendan Rodgers’ starting line-up. But still, Eze can be a great addition to the squad. The starlet has been tearing it apart in the Championship despite QPR doing an average job.
At just 21, Eze looks ready to put his foot into the top-flight on the back of some impressive displays in the past two seasons. He is regarded as one of the brightest talents among the youngsters in England and would succeed at Leicester. Moving to the East Midlands, Eze can be used as a backup for Brendan Rodgers, whose midfielders have worked hard all season. And with summer signing Bartosz Kapustka on the sidelines for the majority of the season, Eze could fill in the slot with ease.
The London-born midfielder has taken his game to the next level this season. In the Championship this term, Eze has registered 2.2 shots, 1.8 key passes and 3.1 dribbles per game. He has also enjoyed an 87.8% passing accuracy rate, according to Whoscored. With another youngster, Rodgers would surely add depth to his squad and Eze can be seen as a player who can start for Leicester in various other competitions.
Verdict
The talented midfielder is sure to succeed in the Premier League with his potential and moving to Leicester would be a huge stride in his career. Under Rodgers, Eze can transform into a complete midfielder who can also score at a decent rate. Therefore, in securing his services, Leicester would have a prospect who can take them forward in the future. Rodgers must leap ahead to bring him to the King Power Stadium.
by Indhrajit James
Why Eberechi Eze would be a good futuristic signing for Leicester City
Reports from West London Sport suggest that Leicester City are keeping close tabs on Championship starlet Eberechi Eze, who plies his trade with Queens Park Rangers.
Eze, 21, has been a vital member of Mark Warburton’s squad this season. He has started in all of QPR’s 19 games in the league. Having scored 7 goals and assisted 4 times for his team, Eze has caught the eyes of Premier League clubs.
The report also suggests that Eze was Tottenham’s top target under Mauricio Pochettino but his move seems less likely with the arrival of Jose Mourinho. The Foxes are on a spectacular run of form this season and are currently 2nd in the league standings. A hard-fought 2-1 victory over Everton saw them move ahead of Manchester City.
The Foxes have quite an array of talents in the midfield in James Maddison, Youri Tielemans, Wilfred Ndidi and many more. Maddison has been their playmaker all season and Ndidi has shielded the opponents in the middle of the park. With regard to this, it would be almost impossible for Eberechi Eze to make it to Brendan Rodgers’ starting line-up. But still, Eze can be a great addition to the squad. The starlet has been tearing it apart in the Championship despite QPR doing an average job.
At just 21, Eze looks ready to put his foot into the top-flight on the back of some impressive displays in the past two seasons. He is regarded as one of the brightest talents among the youngsters in England and would succeed at Leicester. Moving to the East Midlands, Eze can be used as a backup for Brendan Rodgers, whose midfielders have worked hard all season. And with summer signing Bartosz Kapustka on the sidelines for the majority of the season, Eze could fill in the slot with ease.
The London-born midfielder has taken his game to the next level this season. In the Championship this term, Eze has registered 2.2 shots, 1.8 key passes and 3.1 dribbles per game. He has also enjoyed an 87.8% passing accuracy rate, according to Whoscored. With another youngster, Rodgers would surely add depth to his squad and Eze can be seen as a player who can start for Leicester in various other competitions.
Verdict
The talented midfielder is sure to succeed in the Premier League with his potential and moving to Leicester would be a huge stride in his career. Under Rodgers, Eze can transform into a complete midfielder who can also score at a decent rate. Therefore, in securing his services, Leicester would have a prospect who can take them forward in the future. Rodgers must leap ahead to bring him to the King Power Stadium.
7 goals, 4 assists – Leicester signing this in-form 26-year-old would get them a perfect backup
by Rohan Sengupta
Why Leicester City would be very smart to revive interest in Roger Assale
Back in April 2018, The Daily Mail had claimed that Leicester City were interested in signing Young Boys striker Roger Assale. But a deal didn’t materialise that summer and he has since stayed put at Young Boys.
Roger Assale, 26, joined Young Boys from TP Mazembe in 2017 and enjoyed a solid debut season that saw him score 12 goals and assist a further 11 times in 34 league outings. The Ivorian couldn’t match his debut season’s numbers last term, yet he managed 9 goals and 11 assists in 33 games.
The 26-year-old forward has been an integral part of the Young Boys team this campaign as well. So far, he has bagged 7 goals and 4 assists in 20 games across all competitions. With Assale scoring goals and impressing in the Super League, Leicester City would be wise to renew their interest in the forward.
Brendan Rodgers was appointed at Leicester in February and after presiding over a ninth-place finish last term, he has seen his team win 10 of their first 14 league matches this season. The 46-year-old Northern Irishman has led the Foxes to second place in the Premier League, with players like James Maddison, Jamie Vardy, Caglar Soyuncu, Ben Chilwell and Wilfred Ndidi impressing the most.
At 32, Vardy has shown no signs of ageing and is thriving under the tutelage of Rodgers. In fact, the former England international continues to improve with age and is one of the best strikers in Europe on current form. But as he is set to turn 33 in January, Rodgers must start planning for the future. Kelechi Iheanacho is an option but he has failed to live up to the expectations at the King Power Stadium.
That makes the signing of a new striker logical and the Foxes must go for Assale during the winter transfer window. Going by his performances in the Europa League this season, Assale has averaged 2.2 shots, 0.6 key passes and 1.8 dribbles per game. He has attempted 0.4 crosses and 0.8 long balls while achieving a 71% pass success rate. [Courtesy: WhoScored.com]
A proven goalscorer in the Super League, the Ivory Coast international would add more potency to Leicester’s attack, whilst being a long-term replacement for the ageing Vardy. At the age of 26, Assale looks ready to take the next big step in his career and a move to Leicester would be ideal for his development.
Verdict
Assale would be a fantastic addition to the Foxes squad and thus, Rodgers should do everything possible to land him at the club in January.
by Rohan Sengupta
Why Leicester City would be very smart to revive interest in Roger Assale
Back in April 2018, The Daily Mail had claimed that Leicester City were interested in signing Young Boys striker Roger Assale. But a deal didn’t materialise that summer and he has since stayed put at Young Boys.
Roger Assale, 26, joined Young Boys from TP Mazembe in 2017 and enjoyed a solid debut season that saw him score 12 goals and assist a further 11 times in 34 league outings. The Ivorian couldn’t match his debut season’s numbers last term, yet he managed 9 goals and 11 assists in 33 games.
The 26-year-old forward has been an integral part of the Young Boys team this campaign as well. So far, he has bagged 7 goals and 4 assists in 20 games across all competitions. With Assale scoring goals and impressing in the Super League, Leicester City would be wise to renew their interest in the forward.
Brendan Rodgers was appointed at Leicester in February and after presiding over a ninth-place finish last term, he has seen his team win 10 of their first 14 league matches this season. The 46-year-old Northern Irishman has led the Foxes to second place in the Premier League, with players like James Maddison, Jamie Vardy, Caglar Soyuncu, Ben Chilwell and Wilfred Ndidi impressing the most.
At 32, Vardy has shown no signs of ageing and is thriving under the tutelage of Rodgers. In fact, the former England international continues to improve with age and is one of the best strikers in Europe on current form. But as he is set to turn 33 in January, Rodgers must start planning for the future. Kelechi Iheanacho is an option but he has failed to live up to the expectations at the King Power Stadium.
That makes the signing of a new striker logical and the Foxes must go for Assale during the winter transfer window. Going by his performances in the Europa League this season, Assale has averaged 2.2 shots, 0.6 key passes and 1.8 dribbles per game. He has attempted 0.4 crosses and 0.8 long balls while achieving a 71% pass success rate. [Courtesy: WhoScored.com]
A proven goalscorer in the Super League, the Ivory Coast international would add more potency to Leicester’s attack, whilst being a long-term replacement for the ageing Vardy. At the age of 26, Assale looks ready to take the next big step in his career and a move to Leicester would be ideal for his development.
Verdict
Assale would be a fantastic addition to the Foxes squad and thus, Rodgers should do everything possible to land him at the club in January.
Leicester signing this in-form €15m star would get them a perfect Schmeichel successor
by Rohan Sengupta
Why Leicester City should make a move for Jose Sa in January
According to Greek website Sportime (h/t Leicester Mercury), Leicester City are interested in Olympiacos goalkeeper Jose Sa. The likes of Arsenal, Wolves and West Ham are also keen on the 26-year-old, who has a €15m release clause in his contract.
Jose Sa, 26, joined Olympiacos from Porto on a season-long loan deal last season and after he impressed with his performances, the Greek club signed him permanently in May. The shot-stopper, who has recently been selected for the Portugal national team, has been in excellent form for his club this season, playing 20 games and keeping 12 clean sheets. With the Portuguese goalkeeper impressing in Greece, Leicester City must go all out to sign him during the January transfer window.
Jose Sa of Olympiacos FC throws the ball during the UEFA Champions League group B match between Bayern Muenchen and Olympiacos FC at Allianz Arena. (Getty Images)Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has a fantastic squad packed with champions like Kasper Schmeichel, Jamie Vardy and others. The Foxes’ excellent start to the campaign has laid the foundations for a top-four finish and the title-winning experience of the squad’s senior members will help the club as they aim to break the elite once again.
Schmeichel has been in excellent form this season and was in goal for Leicester’s historic 9-0 win over Southampton. The Dane has kept five clean sheets in 12 Premier League games, conceding just eight goals. While he is in top form and is one of the pillars behind the Foxes’ strong start to the season, Schmeichel is not getting younger and will turn 34 in November.
Eldin Jankupovic, 35, and Danny Ward, 26, are two other goalkeepers in the Leicester squad but they aren’t close to displacing Schmeichel as Rodgers’ No.1. In fact, they haven’t had a taste of Premier League football this season, with Ward making two appearances in the Carabao Cup. Rodgers, thus, must start thinking for the future and should bring in Jose Sa as a potential long-term replacement for the ageing Schmeichel. Sa has been one of the major reasons for Olympiacos’ unbeaten start to the new season, helping his team by keeping 7 clean sheets in 10 league games. His performances between the sticks have been excellent.
At 26, the Portuguese has a long way to go before he enters the peak years of his career. He could initially come in at the King Power Stadium as a back-up option for Schmeichel before replacing the Dane as the club’s first choice.
Verdict
Sa is proving his quality in Olympiacos colours, playing Champions League football as well. However, the lure of Premier League could be tough for him to turn down and Leicester must use it to sign him in the New Year.
by Rohan Sengupta
Why Leicester City should make a move for Jose Sa in January
According to Greek website Sportime (h/t Leicester Mercury), Leicester City are interested in Olympiacos goalkeeper Jose Sa. The likes of Arsenal, Wolves and West Ham are also keen on the 26-year-old, who has a €15m release clause in his contract.
Jose Sa, 26, joined Olympiacos from Porto on a season-long loan deal last season and after he impressed with his performances, the Greek club signed him permanently in May. The shot-stopper, who has recently been selected for the Portugal national team, has been in excellent form for his club this season, playing 20 games and keeping 12 clean sheets. With the Portuguese goalkeeper impressing in Greece, Leicester City must go all out to sign him during the January transfer window.
Jose Sa of Olympiacos FC throws the ball during the UEFA Champions League group B match between Bayern Muenchen and Olympiacos FC at Allianz Arena. (Getty Images)Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has a fantastic squad packed with champions like Kasper Schmeichel, Jamie Vardy and others. The Foxes’ excellent start to the campaign has laid the foundations for a top-four finish and the title-winning experience of the squad’s senior members will help the club as they aim to break the elite once again.
Schmeichel has been in excellent form this season and was in goal for Leicester’s historic 9-0 win over Southampton. The Dane has kept five clean sheets in 12 Premier League games, conceding just eight goals. While he is in top form and is one of the pillars behind the Foxes’ strong start to the season, Schmeichel is not getting younger and will turn 34 in November.
Eldin Jankupovic, 35, and Danny Ward, 26, are two other goalkeepers in the Leicester squad but they aren’t close to displacing Schmeichel as Rodgers’ No.1. In fact, they haven’t had a taste of Premier League football this season, with Ward making two appearances in the Carabao Cup. Rodgers, thus, must start thinking for the future and should bring in Jose Sa as a potential long-term replacement for the ageing Schmeichel. Sa has been one of the major reasons for Olympiacos’ unbeaten start to the new season, helping his team by keeping 7 clean sheets in 10 league games. His performances between the sticks have been excellent.
At 26, the Portuguese has a long way to go before he enters the peak years of his career. He could initially come in at the King Power Stadium as a back-up option for Schmeichel before replacing the Dane as the club’s first choice.
Verdict
Sa is proving his quality in Olympiacos colours, playing Champions League football as well. However, the lure of Premier League could be tough for him to turn down and Leicester must use it to sign him in the New Year.
54 tackles, 36 interceptions – 3 reasons why this £15m star holds the key to Leicester’s success
by Siddharth Suresh
Three reasons why Ndidi holds the key to Leicester City’s success
According to a recent report by Leicestershire Live, Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has claimed that defensive midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is “absolutely key” to his side’s successes this season. The £15m Nigerian has been one of the key figures and has helped Rodgers’ Leicester attain the second position in the table with 26 points.
An unsung hero, Ndidi is one of the main reasons behind Leicester topping the charts with most tackles recorded per game (22.2) across the top-five leagues in Europe, as claimed by Whoscored. Unlike star striker Jamie Vardy and playmaker James Maddison, Ndidi is not somebody to walk away with all the limelight. And there is ample reason behind it. In Rodgers’ own words, however, he is the one doing all the ‘dirty work’, according to Leicestershire Live.
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers seen during a premier league match. (Getty Images)The Foxes have conceded a mere 8 goals this season – the lowest by any team playing in the Premier League. And Leicester owe it all to their 22-year-old Nigerian sensation. To be precise, let’s statistically evaluate as to why the Foxes midfielder is an inevitable element in Leicester’s excellent run of form this season.
Crucial player
Except for the game against Sheffield United, Ndidi has featured in every other match this season. The Nigerian has repaid his boss’ faith in him with consistent displays on the pitch.He has scored two goals till now – one of which came against Chelsea, where he was robbed off the ball by Mason Mount but responded superbly by scoring an equalizer.
Top performer
From a statistical point of view, the defensive midfielder has been their top performer of the season with an overall rating of 7.71. Only James Maddison has come close with 7.61. He is only third behind Manchester City stars Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez, both of whom have scores of 7.85 and 7.74 respectively.
Best defensive player
With 36 interceptions to his name, he is the best defensive player in the league at the moment. Bournemouth star Philip Billing trails him with 30 interceptions. His average of 5.4 successful tackles and 3.3 interceptions per match is an applaudable achievement for a midfielder of his age. Also, his on-field displays have been of immense help to the Leicester defenders, who should thank him for reducing their workload.
Verdict
Taking all this into account, it is not surprising for the Foxes manager to heap praise upon this gem of a defensive midfielder. By all means, Ndidi has displayed enormous maturity for someone of his age and will be key in Leicester’s run for a top-three finish this season.
by Siddharth Suresh
Three reasons why Ndidi holds the key to Leicester City’s success
According to a recent report by Leicestershire Live, Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has claimed that defensive midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is “absolutely key” to his side’s successes this season. The £15m Nigerian has been one of the key figures and has helped Rodgers’ Leicester attain the second position in the table with 26 points.
An unsung hero, Ndidi is one of the main reasons behind Leicester topping the charts with most tackles recorded per game (22.2) across the top-five leagues in Europe, as claimed by Whoscored. Unlike star striker Jamie Vardy and playmaker James Maddison, Ndidi is not somebody to walk away with all the limelight. And there is ample reason behind it. In Rodgers’ own words, however, he is the one doing all the ‘dirty work’, according to Leicestershire Live.
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers seen during a premier league match. (Getty Images)The Foxes have conceded a mere 8 goals this season – the lowest by any team playing in the Premier League. And Leicester owe it all to their 22-year-old Nigerian sensation. To be precise, let’s statistically evaluate as to why the Foxes midfielder is an inevitable element in Leicester’s excellent run of form this season.
Crucial player
Except for the game against Sheffield United, Ndidi has featured in every other match this season. The Nigerian has repaid his boss’ faith in him with consistent displays on the pitch.He has scored two goals till now – one of which came against Chelsea, where he was robbed off the ball by Mason Mount but responded superbly by scoring an equalizer.
Top performer
From a statistical point of view, the defensive midfielder has been their top performer of the season with an overall rating of 7.71. Only James Maddison has come close with 7.61. He is only third behind Manchester City stars Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez, both of whom have scores of 7.85 and 7.74 respectively.
Best defensive player
With 36 interceptions to his name, he is the best defensive player in the league at the moment. Bournemouth star Philip Billing trails him with 30 interceptions. His average of 5.4 successful tackles and 3.3 interceptions per match is an applaudable achievement for a midfielder of his age. Also, his on-field displays have been of immense help to the Leicester defenders, who should thank him for reducing their workload.
Verdict
Taking all this into account, it is not surprising for the Foxes manager to heap praise upon this gem of a defensive midfielder. By all means, Ndidi has displayed enormous maturity for someone of his age and will be key in Leicester’s run for a top-three finish this season.
Comparing Leicester and Liverpool stars – Stats show who has been the better centre-back
by Indhrajit James
Comparing Soyuncu and Van Dijk – PL’s best centre-backs right now
Defenders are as vital to a team as strikers are. Sir Alex Ferguson once rightly said, ‘Attacks wins you games, defence wins you titles’, and that is why centre-backs have developed to become more influential in the game of football. Most centre-backs have qualities of aggression and they fight like warriors for their team.
They are the ones who protect the team. Over the past decade, Premier League has witnessed many great centre-backs who have put in solid defensive displays. Sometimes, defenders are not recognized as much as the strikers in the world of football, but they seem to be a great deal.
Currently in the Premier League, there are many centre-backs who have made a massive difference for their respective teams. This season, we have two such centre-backs who have been more influential in their team’s successful run. Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk and Leicester City’s Caglar Soyuncu are doing wonders for their teams at the moment.
Van Dijk, UEFA Men’s player of 2019 and Goal 50 winner, has been the core of Liverpool’s transformation since arriving at the club. He was the most important player when Liverpool won the Champions League last season and has continued to grow stronger coming into this season. Meanwhile, Caglar Soyuncu has just come into the frame this season, playing as a centre-back for Leicester City. He has been a revelation under Brendan Rodgers this year after taking the place of Harry Maguire, who departed for Manchester United in the summer.
Now let’s analyze both the centre-backs’ stats and take a look at who has fared better.
Game time
Both Soyuncu and Van Dijk have been entrusted with the task of keeping the opponents quiet. According to whoscored both of them have featured in all 12 games in the league, amounting to 1080 minutes.
Goals and assists
As centre-backs, they may not have many goalscoring opportunities. While both have scored a goal each, Soyuncu has also assisted once for his team.
Pass Success
Comparing their pass success, Soyuncu’s is higher up the ranks where he has 87.8% accuracy to Van Dijk’s 86.5%.
Tackles
In defensive duties, Soyuncu has made successful tackles at an average of 2.3 per game and Van Dijk has made just 0.8 tackles per game.
Soyuncu seems to be more successful than Van Dijk while attempting successful tackles this season.
Aerial Duels and Interceptions
With an average of 5.5 aerial duels won, Van Dijk seems to have bettered Soyuncu’s 3.5. Van Dijk has an average of 1 interception per game, which is not too less than Soyuncu’s 1.5 per game.
Clearances
Soyuncu has an average of 5.5 clearances per game. Van Dijk is not far behind at 5.2 per game.
Verdict
With an overall average of 7.25, Soyuncu has made a better impact for the Foxes than Van Dijk’s 7.25 for the Reds. This has ensure that Leicester City have kept more clean sheets (5) than Liverpool (2).It is clear that Soyuncu looks better when compared to Van Dijk statistically, but the Liverpool man has bought laurels to his team and has been at the top of his game for the past few years. On the other hand, Soyuncu has just begun his career and has shown promises of reaching his potential in the future.
by Indhrajit James
Comparing Soyuncu and Van Dijk – PL’s best centre-backs right now
Defenders are as vital to a team as strikers are. Sir Alex Ferguson once rightly said, ‘Attacks wins you games, defence wins you titles’, and that is why centre-backs have developed to become more influential in the game of football. Most centre-backs have qualities of aggression and they fight like warriors for their team.
They are the ones who protect the team. Over the past decade, Premier League has witnessed many great centre-backs who have put in solid defensive displays. Sometimes, defenders are not recognized as much as the strikers in the world of football, but they seem to be a great deal.
Currently in the Premier League, there are many centre-backs who have made a massive difference for their respective teams. This season, we have two such centre-backs who have been more influential in their team’s successful run. Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk and Leicester City’s Caglar Soyuncu are doing wonders for their teams at the moment.
Van Dijk, UEFA Men’s player of 2019 and Goal 50 winner, has been the core of Liverpool’s transformation since arriving at the club. He was the most important player when Liverpool won the Champions League last season and has continued to grow stronger coming into this season. Meanwhile, Caglar Soyuncu has just come into the frame this season, playing as a centre-back for Leicester City. He has been a revelation under Brendan Rodgers this year after taking the place of Harry Maguire, who departed for Manchester United in the summer.
Now let’s analyze both the centre-backs’ stats and take a look at who has fared better.
Game time
Both Soyuncu and Van Dijk have been entrusted with the task of keeping the opponents quiet. According to whoscored both of them have featured in all 12 games in the league, amounting to 1080 minutes.
Goals and assists
As centre-backs, they may not have many goalscoring opportunities. While both have scored a goal each, Soyuncu has also assisted once for his team.
Pass Success
Comparing their pass success, Soyuncu’s is higher up the ranks where he has 87.8% accuracy to Van Dijk’s 86.5%.
Tackles
In defensive duties, Soyuncu has made successful tackles at an average of 2.3 per game and Van Dijk has made just 0.8 tackles per game.
Soyuncu seems to be more successful than Van Dijk while attempting successful tackles this season.
Aerial Duels and Interceptions
With an average of 5.5 aerial duels won, Van Dijk seems to have bettered Soyuncu’s 3.5. Van Dijk has an average of 1 interception per game, which is not too less than Soyuncu’s 1.5 per game.
Clearances
Soyuncu has an average of 5.5 clearances per game. Van Dijk is not far behind at 5.2 per game.
Verdict
With an overall average of 7.25, Soyuncu has made a better impact for the Foxes than Van Dijk’s 7.25 for the Reds. This has ensure that Leicester City have kept more clean sheets (5) than Liverpool (2).It is clear that Soyuncu looks better when compared to Van Dijk statistically, but the Liverpool man has bought laurels to his team and has been at the top of his game for the past few years. On the other hand, Soyuncu has just begun his career and has shown promises of reaching his potential in the future.
Leicester winning the race for this 15-year-old prodigy is surely a step in the right direction
by Sayan
Why Leicester City should try and pip others to Bruno Davidson
According to Football Insider (h/t Leicestershire Live), Leicester City are trying to steal a march on their rivals in the race to sign teenage prospect Bruno Davidson. Celtic were in pole position to win the race for the 15-year-old starlet, with the Hoops readying a three-year contract but the Foxes have now taken him on trial (Football Insider h/t Leicestershire Live).
Davidson, who has been on trial at the King Power Stadium for a week now, scored for the club’s U16 side in a 3-1 victory over West Ham at the weekend.
The 15-year-old shot to prominence with Hutchinson Vale, an Edinburgh-based non-league outfit in his homeland. His talent and potential have prompted several top clubs, including the likes of West Ham, Wolves, Southampton, Celtic and Leicester to circle around like sharks for his signature (h/t Leicestershire Live).
Bruno Davidson isn’t the only burgeoning young talent to be linked with a move to Leicester City in recent times, with the Foxes also keeping tabs on Nigerian teenager Akinkumni Amoo, who made eyeballs turn with his scintillating displays at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Brazil (All Nigeria Soccer h/t Leicestershire Live).
The pathway to the senior ranks from the development side has been open at the King Power Stadium in recent years, with the likes of Hamza Choudhury, Harvey Barnes and Ben Chilwell making their presence felt in the Premier League. Notwithstanding the fact that Davidson is still in the rudimentary stages of his formative years at 15, the Foxes would have a gem on their hands if he goes on to fulfil his promise in the years to come.
With so many clubs hot on the trail of the 15-year-old, Leicester must convince the youngster to join them.
Furthermore, it won’t be a surprise if Davidson favours a move to Leicester, given their excellent track record of promoting young talent in recent years. Having handed professional debuts to the likes of Raheem Sterling and Kieran Tierney over the course of his managerial spells at Liverpool and Celtic, Rodgers has shown a great deal of proficiency when it comes to handling youngsters.
With that in mind, Leicester City’s interest in the 15-year-old certainly strikes the right chords.
by Sayan
Why Leicester City should try and pip others to Bruno Davidson
According to Football Insider (h/t Leicestershire Live), Leicester City are trying to steal a march on their rivals in the race to sign teenage prospect Bruno Davidson. Celtic were in pole position to win the race for the 15-year-old starlet, with the Hoops readying a three-year contract but the Foxes have now taken him on trial (Football Insider h/t Leicestershire Live).
Davidson, who has been on trial at the King Power Stadium for a week now, scored for the club’s U16 side in a 3-1 victory over West Ham at the weekend.
The 15-year-old shot to prominence with Hutchinson Vale, an Edinburgh-based non-league outfit in his homeland. His talent and potential have prompted several top clubs, including the likes of West Ham, Wolves, Southampton, Celtic and Leicester to circle around like sharks for his signature (h/t Leicestershire Live).
Bruno Davidson isn’t the only burgeoning young talent to be linked with a move to Leicester City in recent times, with the Foxes also keeping tabs on Nigerian teenager Akinkumni Amoo, who made eyeballs turn with his scintillating displays at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Brazil (All Nigeria Soccer h/t Leicestershire Live).
The pathway to the senior ranks from the development side has been open at the King Power Stadium in recent years, with the likes of Hamza Choudhury, Harvey Barnes and Ben Chilwell making their presence felt in the Premier League. Notwithstanding the fact that Davidson is still in the rudimentary stages of his formative years at 15, the Foxes would have a gem on their hands if he goes on to fulfil his promise in the years to come.
With so many clubs hot on the trail of the 15-year-old, Leicester must convince the youngster to join them.
Furthermore, it won’t be a surprise if Davidson favours a move to Leicester, given their excellent track record of promoting young talent in recent years. Having handed professional debuts to the likes of Raheem Sterling and Kieran Tierney over the course of his managerial spells at Liverpool and Celtic, Rodgers has shown a great deal of proficiency when it comes to handling youngsters.
With that in mind, Leicester City’s interest in the 15-year-old certainly strikes the right chords.
Comparing Man City and Leicester magicians – Stats show who has been better
by Indhrajit James
Comparing De Bruyne and Maddison – PL’s best midfielders
Midfielders are considered as the engine of the team. They are the ones who set the tone of the game and emulate the manager’s game plan on the pitch.
They connect with the defence and the attack, and make passes that allow the forward line to move with confidence. Though midfielders do not score a lot, their defence-splitting passes create a lot of goalscoring opportunities. Any team with a strong midfield can go on to win a game with ease. The Premier League this season has seen some midfielders with magical feet, who have turned the game single-handedly.
Every champion team has that one midfielder who consistently delivers for the team. A team’s game plan is mostly built around a midfielder. Kevin De Bruyne and James Maddison are two players who have done the right thing for their respective teams. De Bruyne has been the most influential player in Manchester City and was responsible for their last two Premier League-winning campaign. This season, he has continued to perform at the highest level. On the other hand, James Maddison has been very effective under Brendan Rodgers for the Foxes. He is considered to be a threat while taking free-kicks. At 22, Maddison has strongly cemented his place in Leicester’s midfield.
Let’s analyze both the midfielders’ stats and see who has fared better.
Game time
According to Whoscored, both De Bruyne and Maddison have featured in 11 games this season. While De Bruyne has played for 877 minutes, Maddison has played for 965 minutes in the league this season.
Goals and assists
Maddison has scored 4 goals and De Bruyne has only 2 to his name. But when it comes to assisting, De Bruyne has done it 9 times for his team while Maddison has assisted only twice in the league. De Bruyne was the highest assist provider in the 2017/18 season with 16 to his name.
Shots and Pass success
Maddison’s shots on target are better when compared to the Belgian, who has 2.5 per game compared to Maddison’s 3 per game. Comparing their pass success, there is not much difference between the two. Maddison’s accuracy is at 83.3% and De Bruyne has 83.2% accuracy.
Key passes and Crosses
De Bruyne has been at the top of the assists charts for a long time. That is because he makes key passes at an average of 3.9 per game, while Maddison accounts to just 2.2 per game. With an average of 3.1 per game, De Bruyne has put in a lot of crosses for his team than Maddison’s 2.1 per game.
Apart from statistics, both have been an integral part of their team. Maddison has risen to the top at a higher rate, while De Bruyne is known for his game-changing displays.
Verdict
With an overall average of 7.85, De Bruyne has made a better impact for his team when compared to Maddison average of 7.67.
The Englishman, at the age of 22, can only get better from here and would surely reach the top if he can develop his game. He would have much more impact for any team that he plays.
by Indhrajit James
Comparing De Bruyne and Maddison – PL’s best midfielders
Midfielders are considered as the engine of the team. They are the ones who set the tone of the game and emulate the manager’s game plan on the pitch.
They connect with the defence and the attack, and make passes that allow the forward line to move with confidence. Though midfielders do not score a lot, their defence-splitting passes create a lot of goalscoring opportunities. Any team with a strong midfield can go on to win a game with ease. The Premier League this season has seen some midfielders with magical feet, who have turned the game single-handedly.
Every champion team has that one midfielder who consistently delivers for the team. A team’s game plan is mostly built around a midfielder. Kevin De Bruyne and James Maddison are two players who have done the right thing for their respective teams. De Bruyne has been the most influential player in Manchester City and was responsible for their last two Premier League-winning campaign. This season, he has continued to perform at the highest level. On the other hand, James Maddison has been very effective under Brendan Rodgers for the Foxes. He is considered to be a threat while taking free-kicks. At 22, Maddison has strongly cemented his place in Leicester’s midfield.
Let’s analyze both the midfielders’ stats and see who has fared better.
Game time
According to Whoscored, both De Bruyne and Maddison have featured in 11 games this season. While De Bruyne has played for 877 minutes, Maddison has played for 965 minutes in the league this season.
Goals and assists
Maddison has scored 4 goals and De Bruyne has only 2 to his name. But when it comes to assisting, De Bruyne has done it 9 times for his team while Maddison has assisted only twice in the league. De Bruyne was the highest assist provider in the 2017/18 season with 16 to his name.
Shots and Pass success
Maddison’s shots on target are better when compared to the Belgian, who has 2.5 per game compared to Maddison’s 3 per game. Comparing their pass success, there is not much difference between the two. Maddison’s accuracy is at 83.3% and De Bruyne has 83.2% accuracy.
Key passes and Crosses
De Bruyne has been at the top of the assists charts for a long time. That is because he makes key passes at an average of 3.9 per game, while Maddison accounts to just 2.2 per game. With an average of 3.1 per game, De Bruyne has put in a lot of crosses for his team than Maddison’s 2.1 per game.
Apart from statistics, both have been an integral part of their team. Maddison has risen to the top at a higher rate, while De Bruyne is known for his game-changing displays.
Verdict
With an overall average of 7.85, De Bruyne has made a better impact for his team when compared to Maddison average of 7.67.
The Englishman, at the age of 22, can only get better from here and would surely reach the top if he can develop his game. He would have much more impact for any team that he plays.
Leicester losing their outstanding 23-year-old star would impact their future negatively
by Indhrajit James
Why Leicester City cannot afford to lose Caglar Soyuncu
Sky Sports suggests that Manchester City are considering signing Turkish youngster Caglar Soyuncu from Leicester City.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is already paying the price for not bringing in reinforcements after the departure of Vincent Kompany. With Aymeric Laporte’s knee injury that has put him on the sidelines, City are shaken at the back. John Stones and Fernandinho are the ones taking charge of the defensive unit at the moment. Their combination has not worked out in a positive way and therefore, Guardiola is looking forward to bring in other options in the January transfer window. (h/t Sky Sports)
Meanwhile, Leicester City are riding high on the success of their central defenders Caglar Soyuncu and Jonny Evans. Not to be forgotten, Jamie Vardy has been excellently leading them from the front by banging in enough number of goals. The foxes are currently two places higher than Manchester City in the league and would look to end the season on a higher note. Talking about Leicester’s successful run, their defence has been vital, leaving other Premier League giants behind them. Caglar Soyuncu and Jonny Evans, their defensive duo, have been the standout players.
In the summer, when Leicester decided to sell Harry Maguire to Manchester United, they opted not to sign a replacement for him. It looked like this would trouble them going into the new season. Brendan Rodgers then had other ideas for Soyuncu. Playing him alongside the experienced Jonny Evans has proved to be game-changing. In the absence of Maguire, Soyuncu has truly seized his opportunity, therefore claiming the spot for himself. Despite being just 23, Soyuncu has gelled well along with his teammates and has put in match-winning performances. He has defended with determination and seems to be very commanding in the air.
Soyuncu started the season with a huge pressure as he was assigned to fill the void left by Harry Maguire. With a clear mind, Soyuncu has exceeded all expectations, except for one mistake he made against Manchester United, where Rashford lured him to commit a foul inside the box, which resulted in a penalty for the Red Devils. Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has put his trust in the Turkish international and losing him to Manchester City in January might put a huge dent in their plans.
Wes Morgan is Leicester’s 3rd choice centre-half and he has featured only 3 times this season, which shows a lack of depth in the squad. Ex-Manchester United man Jonny Evans, despite being in fine form, has very less to offer in the future due to his age (31). Soyuncu would be the right leader for their defensive unit in the future, as he could gain some experience from his partner.
Verdict
Therefore, Rodgers has to make sure he convinces Soyuncu against the offers that could be placed in front of him sooner or later. Rodgers could sure achieve greatness with Leicester in the future given Soyuncu continues at the heart of the defence.
by Indhrajit James
Why Leicester City cannot afford to lose Caglar Soyuncu
Sky Sports suggests that Manchester City are considering signing Turkish youngster Caglar Soyuncu from Leicester City.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is already paying the price for not bringing in reinforcements after the departure of Vincent Kompany. With Aymeric Laporte’s knee injury that has put him on the sidelines, City are shaken at the back. John Stones and Fernandinho are the ones taking charge of the defensive unit at the moment. Their combination has not worked out in a positive way and therefore, Guardiola is looking forward to bring in other options in the January transfer window. (h/t Sky Sports)
Meanwhile, Leicester City are riding high on the success of their central defenders Caglar Soyuncu and Jonny Evans. Not to be forgotten, Jamie Vardy has been excellently leading them from the front by banging in enough number of goals. The foxes are currently two places higher than Manchester City in the league and would look to end the season on a higher note. Talking about Leicester’s successful run, their defence has been vital, leaving other Premier League giants behind them. Caglar Soyuncu and Jonny Evans, their defensive duo, have been the standout players.
In the summer, when Leicester decided to sell Harry Maguire to Manchester United, they opted not to sign a replacement for him. It looked like this would trouble them going into the new season. Brendan Rodgers then had other ideas for Soyuncu. Playing him alongside the experienced Jonny Evans has proved to be game-changing. In the absence of Maguire, Soyuncu has truly seized his opportunity, therefore claiming the spot for himself. Despite being just 23, Soyuncu has gelled well along with his teammates and has put in match-winning performances. He has defended with determination and seems to be very commanding in the air.
Soyuncu started the season with a huge pressure as he was assigned to fill the void left by Harry Maguire. With a clear mind, Soyuncu has exceeded all expectations, except for one mistake he made against Manchester United, where Rashford lured him to commit a foul inside the box, which resulted in a penalty for the Red Devils. Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has put his trust in the Turkish international and losing him to Manchester City in January might put a huge dent in their plans.
Wes Morgan is Leicester’s 3rd choice centre-half and he has featured only 3 times this season, which shows a lack of depth in the squad. Ex-Manchester United man Jonny Evans, despite being in fine form, has very less to offer in the future due to his age (31). Soyuncu would be the right leader for their defensive unit in the future, as he could gain some experience from his partner.
Verdict
Therefore, Rodgers has to make sure he convinces Soyuncu against the offers that could be placed in front of him sooner or later. Rodgers could sure achieve greatness with Leicester in the future given Soyuncu continues at the heart of the defence.
Who will win the PL Golden Boot? Analysis shows Chelsea star might pip Leicester ace
by Indhrajit James
PL Golden Boot Prediction – Analysis shows Abraham could beat Vardy
The Premier League Golden Boot is one of the most coveted prizes every year. As this league is arguably the most popular in the world, winning the Golden Boot is not an easy task for the players.
The Premier League has had many high-profile names getting their hands on this precious award. After an impressive start to the season for a lot of players, hosts of them are in contention for the Golden Boot this season. Let’s have look at the top three goalscorers of the Premier League campaign so far and analyse their chances of winning this individual trophy.
Jamie Vardy
Though Leicester City finished 9th in the table last season, Vardy was at his best, scoring 18 goals. He has continued his fine form into this campaign, already scoring 11 times from a possible 12 games and assisting a couple of times. According to whoscored, Vardy has an average of 2.1 shots per game and has won 1.7 aerial duels. Out of the 11 goals, Vardy has scored 6 at home and the rest in away games.
Tammy Abraham
Tammy has been one of the picks of the season and has steadily developed into a dependable player for Chelsea. With 10 goals, Abraham sits in 2nd position, beating the likes of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane and many others. He has an impressive average of 3.2 shots per game and has won 3.1 aerial duels. He has scored 7 of his goals away from home and seems to be scoring at away games on a regular basis. He has contributed 37% of the team’s total goals. The 22-year-old is capable of reaching new heights if he plays regularly without any dip in form.
Sergio Aguero
Already a recipient of this award, Aguero’s name cannot be taken off from this list. His goal scoring prowess has been vital to Manchester City’s title-winning campaigns. He sits 3rd, with 9 goals to his name. The Argentine has a better average with 3.6 shots per game, when compared to the above two, and has played fewer minutes. This season, he has contributed only 28% of the team’s goals so far.
Verdict
Statistically speaking, Tammy Abraham seems to be in fine form and the 22-year-old could end up being the Golden Boot winner of this campaign.
by Indhrajit James
PL Golden Boot Prediction – Analysis shows Abraham could beat Vardy
The Premier League Golden Boot is one of the most coveted prizes every year. As this league is arguably the most popular in the world, winning the Golden Boot is not an easy task for the players.
The Premier League has had many high-profile names getting their hands on this precious award. After an impressive start to the season for a lot of players, hosts of them are in contention for the Golden Boot this season. Let’s have look at the top three goalscorers of the Premier League campaign so far and analyse their chances of winning this individual trophy.
Jamie Vardy
Though Leicester City finished 9th in the table last season, Vardy was at his best, scoring 18 goals. He has continued his fine form into this campaign, already scoring 11 times from a possible 12 games and assisting a couple of times. According to whoscored, Vardy has an average of 2.1 shots per game and has won 1.7 aerial duels. Out of the 11 goals, Vardy has scored 6 at home and the rest in away games.
Tammy Abraham
Tammy has been one of the picks of the season and has steadily developed into a dependable player for Chelsea. With 10 goals, Abraham sits in 2nd position, beating the likes of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane and many others. He has an impressive average of 3.2 shots per game and has won 3.1 aerial duels. He has scored 7 of his goals away from home and seems to be scoring at away games on a regular basis. He has contributed 37% of the team’s total goals. The 22-year-old is capable of reaching new heights if he plays regularly without any dip in form.
Sergio Aguero
Already a recipient of this award, Aguero’s name cannot be taken off from this list. His goal scoring prowess has been vital to Manchester City’s title-winning campaigns. He sits 3rd, with 9 goals to his name. The Argentine has a better average with 3.6 shots per game, when compared to the above two, and has played fewer minutes. This season, he has contributed only 28% of the team’s goals so far.
Verdict
Statistically speaking, Tammy Abraham seems to be in fine form and the 22-year-old could end up being the Golden Boot winner of this campaign.
Leicester beating off competition for this 17-year-old African prodigy would be a big coup
by Sayan
Why Leicester City winning the race for Akinkumni Amoo would be smartAccording to All Nigeria Soccer (h/t Leicestershire Live), Leicester City are among a host of European clubs lining up a January swoop for Nigerian starlet Akinkumni Amoo, who has caught the eye with his scintillating performances at the U-17 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Record title-holders Nigerian crashed out with a 3-1 defeat against The Netherlands in the round-of-16 but that wasn’t before Akinkumni Amoo put himself on the radar of some of the top clubs in Europe with his dazzling displays.
The 17-year old, who has already drawn comparisons with Lionel Messi for his left-footed nature, failed to find the net even once, but a tally of 3 assists in 4 games at the U-17 World Cup has apparently been enough to convince the Foxes of his talent and potential.
Akinkumni Amoo has caught the eye of several top European clubs with his performances at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil (Getty Images)However, Leicester City could have their work cut out in race in the sign the talented youngster, with several European heavyweights, including Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, PSG, Real Madrid, Ajax, AC Milan and Valencia, as well as Premier League rivals Man City and Arsenal, all vying for the teenager’s signature. (All Nigeria Soccer h/t Leicestershire Live)
Essentially a right-winger by trade, Akinkumni Amoo has also illustrated the versatility to play in a No.10 role behind the striker.
In James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Demarai Gray, Youri Tielemans, Hamza Choudhury, James Justin, Caglar Soyuncu and Ben Chilwell, Leicester City already boast of a plethora of young talents in their first-team, and there are several others who are trying to make the transition to the senior level from the U-23s.
To that end, Leicester City’s interest in Akinkumni Amoo certainly strikes the right chords and the Foxes could have a real gem on their hands in the years to come if the 17-year-old goes on to fulfil his potential at the King Power stadium.
Over the years, the FIFA U-17 World Cup has proven to be an excellent breeding ground for some top-quality young talent and a wonderful platform for prodigies to make strides towards establishing themselves as professionals in the beautiful game.
Amoo is yet to make a senior competitive appearance for any club (Getty Images)Nigeria, who have won the title a record five times, most recently in 2015 when Victor Osimhen claimed the Golden Boot, have produced Premier League stars like Nwankwo Kanu, Celestine Babayaro and John Obi Mikel from the same tournament in the previous years, and Amoo could be the next in the queue to make his mark in England.
Having handed professional debuts to Raheem Sterling and Kieran Tierney during his managerial days at Liverpool and Celtic respectively, Brendan Rodgers has a good track record when it comes to developing up and coming prospects in the first-team.
With so many top clubs in Europe tracking the Nigerian starlet, Leicester face the risk of being blown out of the water, however, Rodgers’ presence at the helm of affairs and proficiency in extracting the best out of young talents could play a big role in convincing Amoo to complete a move to the King Power stadium.
Notwithstanding the fact that several starlets emerging as hot prospects from the U-17 World Cup have faded into obscurity at the senior level over the years, Akinkumni Amoo looks like a really special talent with loads of potential, and he is certainly worth a punt for the Foxes, who have made it a priority to build a team around developing players.
Verdict
A quick and direct route to the first-team is exactly what all youngsters crave for and Leicester need to stress on that factor in their efforts to convince the Nigerian prodigy to ditch other clubs in favour of a move to the King Power stadium.
All in all, Leicester’s interest in Amoo clearly underpins their long-term ambitions moving forward and this looks like a move that could pay off handsomely in the years to come.
by Sayan
Why Leicester City winning the race for Akinkumni Amoo would be smartAccording to All Nigeria Soccer (h/t Leicestershire Live), Leicester City are among a host of European clubs lining up a January swoop for Nigerian starlet Akinkumni Amoo, who has caught the eye with his scintillating performances at the U-17 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Record title-holders Nigerian crashed out with a 3-1 defeat against The Netherlands in the round-of-16 but that wasn’t before Akinkumni Amoo put himself on the radar of some of the top clubs in Europe with his dazzling displays.
The 17-year old, who has already drawn comparisons with Lionel Messi for his left-footed nature, failed to find the net even once, but a tally of 3 assists in 4 games at the U-17 World Cup has apparently been enough to convince the Foxes of his talent and potential.
Akinkumni Amoo has caught the eye of several top European clubs with his performances at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil (Getty Images)However, Leicester City could have their work cut out in race in the sign the talented youngster, with several European heavyweights, including Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, PSG, Real Madrid, Ajax, AC Milan and Valencia, as well as Premier League rivals Man City and Arsenal, all vying for the teenager’s signature. (All Nigeria Soccer h/t Leicestershire Live)
Essentially a right-winger by trade, Akinkumni Amoo has also illustrated the versatility to play in a No.10 role behind the striker.
In James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Demarai Gray, Youri Tielemans, Hamza Choudhury, James Justin, Caglar Soyuncu and Ben Chilwell, Leicester City already boast of a plethora of young talents in their first-team, and there are several others who are trying to make the transition to the senior level from the U-23s.
To that end, Leicester City’s interest in Akinkumni Amoo certainly strikes the right chords and the Foxes could have a real gem on their hands in the years to come if the 17-year-old goes on to fulfil his potential at the King Power stadium.
Over the years, the FIFA U-17 World Cup has proven to be an excellent breeding ground for some top-quality young talent and a wonderful platform for prodigies to make strides towards establishing themselves as professionals in the beautiful game.
Amoo is yet to make a senior competitive appearance for any club (Getty Images)Nigeria, who have won the title a record five times, most recently in 2015 when Victor Osimhen claimed the Golden Boot, have produced Premier League stars like Nwankwo Kanu, Celestine Babayaro and John Obi Mikel from the same tournament in the previous years, and Amoo could be the next in the queue to make his mark in England.
Having handed professional debuts to Raheem Sterling and Kieran Tierney during his managerial days at Liverpool and Celtic respectively, Brendan Rodgers has a good track record when it comes to developing up and coming prospects in the first-team.
With so many top clubs in Europe tracking the Nigerian starlet, Leicester face the risk of being blown out of the water, however, Rodgers’ presence at the helm of affairs and proficiency in extracting the best out of young talents could play a big role in convincing Amoo to complete a move to the King Power stadium.
Notwithstanding the fact that several starlets emerging as hot prospects from the U-17 World Cup have faded into obscurity at the senior level over the years, Akinkumni Amoo looks like a really special talent with loads of potential, and he is certainly worth a punt for the Foxes, who have made it a priority to build a team around developing players.
Verdict
A quick and direct route to the first-team is exactly what all youngsters crave for and Leicester need to stress on that factor in their efforts to convince the Nigerian prodigy to ditch other clubs in favour of a move to the King Power stadium.
All in all, Leicester’s interest in Amoo clearly underpins their long-term ambitions moving forward and this looks like a move that could pay off handsomely in the years to come.
Leicester beating Tottenham to sign this £45m La Liga wall would make them unbreachable at the back
by Sayan
Why Leicester should beat West Ham and Spurs to sign Diego LlorenteAccording to the Mirror, Leicester City have been credited with an interest in Real Sociedad centre-back Diego Llorente, with Brendan Rodgers keen to add more to his squad when the transfer window reopens in January.
The 26-year-old, who made his move to Sociedad for a fee of £5million from Real Madrid a couple of years back, has also been monitored by Premier Leauge rivals West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur in recent times, the Mirror claims. As per the report, Llorente has a release clause of £45million but Sociedad are under no pressure to sell the highly-rated central defender, with his contract running until the summer of 2022.
Diego Llorente has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the La Liga at Real Sociedad (Getty Images)A youth exponent of Real Madrid, the Madrid-born centre-back largely featured for the ‘B’ and ‘C’ sides of the Los Blancos in the lower divisions, while also spending time on loan at Rayo Vallecano and Malaga in the La Liga.
However, Llorente has progressed by leaps and bounds ever since his permanent switch to Sociedad in 2017, establishing himself as one of the mainstays of the club’s backline and gaining international recognition with Spain. The 5-cap Spanish international has made a total of 66 appearances for La Real across all competitions, scoring 7 times in the process.
As per whoscored, Llorente averages 51. 8 passes per game with an accuracy of 87.6%, including 3.6 long balls, 1.4 tackles, 1.1 interceptions, 3.8 clearances and 2.8 aerial duels per game in the La Liga this term, figures which speak volumes of his technical abilities as a modern-day ball-playing central defender.
Llorente has also attracted interest from Tottenham and West Ham in recent times (Getty Images)The 26-year-old has also illustrated the versatility to play in a holding midfield role as a shield for the rearguard, and his burgeoning reputation as one of the best defenders in the Spanish top-flight has apparently put some of the Premier League clubs on red alert.
Meanwhile, Leicester City have laid down an early marker as one of the strong contenders for a Champions League spot, with the Foxes currently placed 3rd in the standings after accumulating 7 wins from their first 11 Premier League fixtures. Despite the sale of Harry Maguire to Man United in the summer, the Foxes currently boast of one of the best defensive records in the division, having conceded just 8 goals in 11 games.
Caglar Soyuncu, who had a rather quiet debut season at the King Power Stadium last term, has stepped up to establish himself as an undisputed starter alongside the experienced Jonny Evans at the heart of the defence, with veteran Wes Morgan settling for a bit-part role due to his advancing years.
Filip Benkovic, though, has found it hard to break into the playing eleven under Brendan Rodgers, who had shown an inclination to use the Croatian as a regular starter last season during his managerial spell at Celtic when the youngster was on loan at Parkhead.
To put things into perspective, Leicester City have arguably been one of the best defensive units in the Premier League so far this season but it won’t be a bad idea for the Foxes to complete a swoop for Diego Llorente given that they are yet to replace Maguire.
With Benkovic still very much an unproven entity in the Premier League, it is imperative to say that the Foxes could find themselves short of adequate cover at the back in case of an injury to either of the two first-choice centre-backs later on in the campaign.
VerdictThe touted fee of £45million definitely looks daunting on paper but Leicester have shown that they are not afraid to fork out large amounts of cash, as evident from the transfers of Ayoze Perez and Youri Tielemans in the summer.
The Foxes need more depth in their squad to compete on equal terms with the big-six and Llorente certainly has the quality to make a big difference.
With that in mind, Diego Llorente to Leicester City in January or next summer certainly makes a lot of sense for a number of reasons and this might well be a move that could pay off handsomely for Rodgers.
by Sayan
Why Leicester should beat West Ham and Spurs to sign Diego LlorenteAccording to the Mirror, Leicester City have been credited with an interest in Real Sociedad centre-back Diego Llorente, with Brendan Rodgers keen to add more to his squad when the transfer window reopens in January.
The 26-year-old, who made his move to Sociedad for a fee of £5million from Real Madrid a couple of years back, has also been monitored by Premier Leauge rivals West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur in recent times, the Mirror claims. As per the report, Llorente has a release clause of £45million but Sociedad are under no pressure to sell the highly-rated central defender, with his contract running until the summer of 2022.
Diego Llorente has established himself as one of the best centre-backs in the La Liga at Real Sociedad (Getty Images)A youth exponent of Real Madrid, the Madrid-born centre-back largely featured for the ‘B’ and ‘C’ sides of the Los Blancos in the lower divisions, while also spending time on loan at Rayo Vallecano and Malaga in the La Liga.
However, Llorente has progressed by leaps and bounds ever since his permanent switch to Sociedad in 2017, establishing himself as one of the mainstays of the club’s backline and gaining international recognition with Spain. The 5-cap Spanish international has made a total of 66 appearances for La Real across all competitions, scoring 7 times in the process.
As per whoscored, Llorente averages 51. 8 passes per game with an accuracy of 87.6%, including 3.6 long balls, 1.4 tackles, 1.1 interceptions, 3.8 clearances and 2.8 aerial duels per game in the La Liga this term, figures which speak volumes of his technical abilities as a modern-day ball-playing central defender.
Llorente has also attracted interest from Tottenham and West Ham in recent times (Getty Images)The 26-year-old has also illustrated the versatility to play in a holding midfield role as a shield for the rearguard, and his burgeoning reputation as one of the best defenders in the Spanish top-flight has apparently put some of the Premier League clubs on red alert.
Meanwhile, Leicester City have laid down an early marker as one of the strong contenders for a Champions League spot, with the Foxes currently placed 3rd in the standings after accumulating 7 wins from their first 11 Premier League fixtures. Despite the sale of Harry Maguire to Man United in the summer, the Foxes currently boast of one of the best defensive records in the division, having conceded just 8 goals in 11 games.
Caglar Soyuncu, who had a rather quiet debut season at the King Power Stadium last term, has stepped up to establish himself as an undisputed starter alongside the experienced Jonny Evans at the heart of the defence, with veteran Wes Morgan settling for a bit-part role due to his advancing years.
Filip Benkovic, though, has found it hard to break into the playing eleven under Brendan Rodgers, who had shown an inclination to use the Croatian as a regular starter last season during his managerial spell at Celtic when the youngster was on loan at Parkhead.
To put things into perspective, Leicester City have arguably been one of the best defensive units in the Premier League so far this season but it won’t be a bad idea for the Foxes to complete a swoop for Diego Llorente given that they are yet to replace Maguire.
With Benkovic still very much an unproven entity in the Premier League, it is imperative to say that the Foxes could find themselves short of adequate cover at the back in case of an injury to either of the two first-choice centre-backs later on in the campaign.
VerdictThe touted fee of £45million definitely looks daunting on paper but Leicester have shown that they are not afraid to fork out large amounts of cash, as evident from the transfers of Ayoze Perez and Youri Tielemans in the summer.
The Foxes need more depth in their squad to compete on equal terms with the big-six and Llorente certainly has the quality to make a big difference.
With that in mind, Diego Llorente to Leicester City in January or next summer certainly makes a lot of sense for a number of reasons and this might well be a move that could pay off handsomely for Rodgers.
Leicester signing this prolific €20m star would make them much more lethal going forward
by Indhrajit James
Why signing Emmanuel Dennis could be a perfect fit for Leicester CityAccording to Get Football News France (h/t Leicestershire Live),
Leicester are linked with a move for Club Brugge winger Emmanuel Dennis, who rose to fame by scoring two goals against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The €20m-rated winger is a highly regarded player and joined club Brugge from Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk in 2017. In the Belgian Pro League, Dennis has scored three times in 9 games and for a player of his stature, he has been displaying eye-catching performances.
Leicester have Jamie Vardy, who has shown no signs of stopping his goalscoring form. The Foxes are above the likes of fallen-giants Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea in the Premier League currently. Signing Ayoze Perez in the summer has paid dividends for them.
Kelechi Iheanacho, another striker at Brendan Rodgers’ disposal, has not been used much since his move from Manchester City. Leicester have only three established front men and they would get more firepower by signing the prolific Emmanuel Dennis.
Dennis has shown why he is one of the sought-after wingers after his bright display in the Champions League. The young talent has shown signs that he can score at will and he can be used a backup for Jamie Vardy in case Brendan Rodgers decides to rest him as he has played all the 11 Premier League games so far.
Leicester can have him as another striker, though Dennis can play on both wings. His versatility is evident and the Foxes can benefit from his game time. He is capable of playing at the top level and this was seen when he ripped apart Madrid’s defence and notched up two goals in the first half.
The Nigerian has played mostly as a striker for Club Brugge instead of his favoured position on the flanks. His stats show that he has goalscoring potentials and can develop into a game-changing player by taking his first step into the learning curve.
Emmanuel Dennis (L) celebrating his goal against Real Madrid in the Champions League (Image Credit: Getty)The combination of Brendan Rodgers with Jamie Vardy’s playing style has proved to be pivotal in Leicester’s success so far this season. The addition of Dennis can allow Vardy lower his burden of leading the front line.
Conclusion
Signing Dennis can guarantee them the extra goals apart from Vardy’s given his form, and the Foxes manager must make sure he can lure him to the King Power stadium this January.
by Indhrajit James
Why signing Emmanuel Dennis could be a perfect fit for Leicester CityAccording to Get Football News France (h/t Leicestershire Live),
Leicester are linked with a move for Club Brugge winger Emmanuel Dennis, who rose to fame by scoring two goals against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The €20m-rated winger is a highly regarded player and joined club Brugge from Ukrainian side Zorya Luhansk in 2017. In the Belgian Pro League, Dennis has scored three times in 9 games and for a player of his stature, he has been displaying eye-catching performances.
Leicester have Jamie Vardy, who has shown no signs of stopping his goalscoring form. The Foxes are above the likes of fallen-giants Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea in the Premier League currently. Signing Ayoze Perez in the summer has paid dividends for them.
Kelechi Iheanacho, another striker at Brendan Rodgers’ disposal, has not been used much since his move from Manchester City. Leicester have only three established front men and they would get more firepower by signing the prolific Emmanuel Dennis.
Dennis has shown why he is one of the sought-after wingers after his bright display in the Champions League. The young talent has shown signs that he can score at will and he can be used a backup for Jamie Vardy in case Brendan Rodgers decides to rest him as he has played all the 11 Premier League games so far.
Leicester can have him as another striker, though Dennis can play on both wings. His versatility is evident and the Foxes can benefit from his game time. He is capable of playing at the top level and this was seen when he ripped apart Madrid’s defence and notched up two goals in the first half.
The Nigerian has played mostly as a striker for Club Brugge instead of his favoured position on the flanks. His stats show that he has goalscoring potentials and can develop into a game-changing player by taking his first step into the learning curve.
Emmanuel Dennis (L) celebrating his goal against Real Madrid in the Champions League (Image Credit: Getty)The combination of Brendan Rodgers with Jamie Vardy’s playing style has proved to be pivotal in Leicester’s success so far this season. The addition of Dennis can allow Vardy lower his burden of leading the front line.
Conclusion
Signing Dennis can guarantee them the extra goals apart from Vardy’s given his form, and the Foxes manager must make sure he can lure him to the King Power stadium this January.
Forget it Rodgers – Why Leicester would be better off avoiding this Dutch league hotshot
by Sayan
Why Noussair Mazraoui to Leicester City doesn’t make sense
According to Leicestershire Live, Leicester City have been linked with a move for Ajax right-back Noussair Mazraoui, who has also attracted interest from a number of other big clubs in Europe.
Premier League rivals Tottenham and La Liga giants Valencia are also keeping close tabs on the 21-year-old’s situation at the Johan Cruyff Arena, Leicestershire Live understands. A youth exponent of the widely-revered Ajax academy, Mazraoui burst on to the scene in the Eredivisie during the 2017-18 season before guiding the club to the domestic title and the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League last season.
Mazraoui, who was a part of Morocco’s squad at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt earlier in the summer, accumulated a tally of 4 goals and 5 assists in 48 appearances for Ajax across all competitions last season. However, things have gone downhill for the highly-rated 21-year-old this term, with the Moroccan international making only 8 appearances in all competitions. As per the report, Mazraoui is unhappy with his sudden fall in grace and could be tempted to look for greener pastures if things do not improve soon.
As far as Leicester are concerned, the need for reinforcements in certain areas is more than apparent. But their links with Noussair Mazraoui looks completely bizarre given that the Foxes are hardly crying out for reinforcements at right-back. In fact, that is one area that Brendan Rodgers need not enhance any further, with Ricardo Pereira proving his burgeoning reputation.
The Foxes snapped up James Justin from Luton Town as a bright emerging prospect in the summer and bringing in Mazraoui in January would only lead to unwanted selection dilemma. Although Mazraoui is an exciting young right-back, Pereira has been one of the club’s standout players over the past 12 months ever since his move from Porto and the numbers prove it.
Given his heroics in the Champions League last season, Mazraoui already has an impressive CV. But it is difficult to see how and where the Moroccan would fit into Rodgers’ plans.
Verdict
Undoubtedly, Mazraoui is a proven right-back and would definitely be an upgrade on James Justin but that would hardly guarantee him a regular starting role, with Pereira exceeding all expectations. The Moroccan would provide Pereira with better competition for a starting role but if game time is really the issue for Mazraoui at Ajax, the prospect of him playing regularly at Leicester looks bleak too.
Leicester have some quality youngsters like James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Hamza Choudhury, Youri Tielemans and Caglar Soyuncu in the first-team and though Mazraoui could be yet another exciting addition, the Foxes would be better off improving other areas of the squad.
With Kelechi Iheanacho failing to make an impact, the Foxes can certainly do with a better back-up for Jamie Vardy, and can also bring in a top-quality winger to aid their surge for a top-six finish. Suffice to say, signing Noussair Mazraoui would simply be a waste of valuable funds for Leicester.
by Sayan
Why Noussair Mazraoui to Leicester City doesn’t make sense
According to Leicestershire Live, Leicester City have been linked with a move for Ajax right-back Noussair Mazraoui, who has also attracted interest from a number of other big clubs in Europe.
Premier League rivals Tottenham and La Liga giants Valencia are also keeping close tabs on the 21-year-old’s situation at the Johan Cruyff Arena, Leicestershire Live understands. A youth exponent of the widely-revered Ajax academy, Mazraoui burst on to the scene in the Eredivisie during the 2017-18 season before guiding the club to the domestic title and the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League last season.
Mazraoui, who was a part of Morocco’s squad at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt earlier in the summer, accumulated a tally of 4 goals and 5 assists in 48 appearances for Ajax across all competitions last season. However, things have gone downhill for the highly-rated 21-year-old this term, with the Moroccan international making only 8 appearances in all competitions. As per the report, Mazraoui is unhappy with his sudden fall in grace and could be tempted to look for greener pastures if things do not improve soon.
As far as Leicester are concerned, the need for reinforcements in certain areas is more than apparent. But their links with Noussair Mazraoui looks completely bizarre given that the Foxes are hardly crying out for reinforcements at right-back. In fact, that is one area that Brendan Rodgers need not enhance any further, with Ricardo Pereira proving his burgeoning reputation.
The Foxes snapped up James Justin from Luton Town as a bright emerging prospect in the summer and bringing in Mazraoui in January would only lead to unwanted selection dilemma. Although Mazraoui is an exciting young right-back, Pereira has been one of the club’s standout players over the past 12 months ever since his move from Porto and the numbers prove it.
Given his heroics in the Champions League last season, Mazraoui already has an impressive CV. But it is difficult to see how and where the Moroccan would fit into Rodgers’ plans.
Verdict
Undoubtedly, Mazraoui is a proven right-back and would definitely be an upgrade on James Justin but that would hardly guarantee him a regular starting role, with Pereira exceeding all expectations. The Moroccan would provide Pereira with better competition for a starting role but if game time is really the issue for Mazraoui at Ajax, the prospect of him playing regularly at Leicester looks bleak too.
Leicester have some quality youngsters like James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Hamza Choudhury, Youri Tielemans and Caglar Soyuncu in the first-team and though Mazraoui could be yet another exciting addition, the Foxes would be better off improving other areas of the squad.
With Kelechi Iheanacho failing to make an impact, the Foxes can certainly do with a better back-up for Jamie Vardy, and can also bring in a top-quality winger to aid their surge for a top-six finish. Suffice to say, signing Noussair Mazraoui would simply be a waste of valuable funds for Leicester.
Leicester signing this 8-goal Ligue 1 star for just £7m could turn out to be a steal by Rodgers
by Indhrajit James
Why signing Habibou Diallo would be a good move for Leicester City
Leicester City have broken into the top four of the table and are on a rich vein of form. Currently, they are placed third in the Premier League and have have been beaten only twice so far.
According to the Express, FC Metz player Habibou Diallo is on Leicester’s radar. The report further claims that Newcastle United are also plotting a move for him, and that Metz are willing to let the player depart in January for a fee of £7m. The Senegalese international came through the ranks at Metz and has established himself as their top scorer this season. In the 12 games he has played so far, he has netted 8 goals in the Ligue 1. Although Metz are at the bottom of the Ligue 1, he has been impressive.
Habibou Diallo in action (Image credits: Google)The young forward has a lot to offer, having been a regular starter for Metz. He has been a consistent player, scoring a total of 26 goals last season and helping them earn promotion to the Ligue 1. Leicester City are heavily dependent on Jamie Vardy and signing Diallo would add depth to their squad. At present, Leicester have only three forwards.
Vardy and Ayoze Perez are the only two regular starters up front, and Iheanacho has not gotten regular playing time.
For an established team, it is necessary to have at least three regular forwards to enable squad rotation as the clashes get tougher.
Diallo’s presence would also add a healthy sense of competition within the team.
Habibou Diallo (Image credits: Google)According to whoscored.com, Diallo has averaged 3.2 shots per game and his passing success rate is 69.8. With an overall rating of 7.08, Diallo seems to be more than just decent. Diallo may not be able to get regular playing time at Leicester City straight off the bat but he can grow steadily. He has a long way to go and his development would be aided by joining the Foxes.
Verdict
Considering his previous stints at Liverpool and Celtic, it is safe to suggest that Brendan Rodgers is capable of extracting the best out of Diallo. Thus, signing him would be a win-win situation.
by Indhrajit James
Why signing Habibou Diallo would be a good move for Leicester City
Leicester City have broken into the top four of the table and are on a rich vein of form. Currently, they are placed third in the Premier League and have have been beaten only twice so far.
According to the Express, FC Metz player Habibou Diallo is on Leicester’s radar. The report further claims that Newcastle United are also plotting a move for him, and that Metz are willing to let the player depart in January for a fee of £7m. The Senegalese international came through the ranks at Metz and has established himself as their top scorer this season. In the 12 games he has played so far, he has netted 8 goals in the Ligue 1. Although Metz are at the bottom of the Ligue 1, he has been impressive.
Habibou Diallo in action (Image credits: Google)The young forward has a lot to offer, having been a regular starter for Metz. He has been a consistent player, scoring a total of 26 goals last season and helping them earn promotion to the Ligue 1. Leicester City are heavily dependent on Jamie Vardy and signing Diallo would add depth to their squad. At present, Leicester have only three forwards.
Vardy and Ayoze Perez are the only two regular starters up front, and Iheanacho has not gotten regular playing time.
For an established team, it is necessary to have at least three regular forwards to enable squad rotation as the clashes get tougher.
Diallo’s presence would also add a healthy sense of competition within the team.
Habibou Diallo (Image credits: Google)According to whoscored.com, Diallo has averaged 3.2 shots per game and his passing success rate is 69.8. With an overall rating of 7.08, Diallo seems to be more than just decent. Diallo may not be able to get regular playing time at Leicester City straight off the bat but he can grow steadily. He has a long way to go and his development would be aided by joining the Foxes.
Verdict
Considering his previous stints at Liverpool and Celtic, it is safe to suggest that Brendan Rodgers is capable of extracting the best out of Diallo. Thus, signing him would be a win-win situation.
Leicester beating off competitions to sign this Burnley star could very well pay off for Rodgers
by Sayan
Why Leicester City should beat others to Burnley starlet Dwight McNeil
According to claims from TEAMtalk (h/t Leicestershire Live), Leicester City have been credited with an interest in Burnley starlet Dwight McNeil, who has established himself as one of the best rising wide players in the Premier League.
The 19-year-old has established himself as a regular fixture for the Clarets since the second half of the previous campaign and his impressive transition from the academy to the senior level has already drawn admiring glances from the scouts of several other Premier League clubs higher up the table.
McNeil started his development in the youth ranks at Manchester United before joining Burnley’s academy back in 2014 and caught the eye with his rapid progress at various age-group levels for the Lancashire outfit. Apart from Leicester, Everton and Wolves have also shortlisted the Rochdale-born teenager as a potential transfer target heading into the mid-season trading period in January. (TEAMtalk, h/t Leicestershire Live)
However, McNeil, who has a contract at Turf Moor until the summer of 2023, is unlikely to be sold on the cheap by the Clarets, with the report claiming that Sean Dyche is holding out for a fee of around £30million to part ways with his influential wide player. The youngster earned rave reviews for his tally of 3 goals and 5 assists in 21 Premier League appearances last time around and he has kicked on exactly from where he had signed off last season.
McNeil has started each of Burnley’s first eleven league fixtures this term, scoring once and setting up another three from the left-hand side of the pitch. To put things into perspective, Leicester City look well on course for a top-six finish in the Premier League this season following an impressive start to the campaign under Brendan Rodgers and the acquisition of Dwight McNeil in January could add yet another feather to their cap.
Having inflicted an ignominious 9-0 defeat on Southampton last week, the Foxes continued their juggernaut with yet another impressive 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League this weekend, as Rodgers’ side finished Round 11 placed 3rd in the standings, ahead of Chelsea on goal difference. With James Maddison and Youri Tielemans continuing to pull out their dissecting knives on a regular basis to torment defences, Ayoze Perez starting to hit the ground running and Jamie Vardy simply unstoppable in front of goal, the Foxes have looked like a well-oiled attacking unit.
Academy prospect Harvey Barnes has established himself as a regular down the left-hand side of the pitch this term, with Demarai Gray and Marc Albrighton providing the youngster with good enough competition. However, McNeil’s unprecedented rise over the last ten months lie testament to his massive potential and the Burnley starlet could well prove to be an upgrade on someone like Gray, who has struggled with the quality of his end product over the course of his time at the King Power Stadium.
Blessed with an absolute wand of a left foot, the 19-year-old has impressed one and all with his proficiency in setting up goals with his pinpoint crossing from the left flank while also making his presence felt with his key passes and ability to hold on to the ball in the tight areas.
Verdict
McNeil might not be as quick and direct as someone like Barnes but he has shown that he is better than the Leicester graduate when it comes to setting up goals with crosses and set-piece ability. As per whoscored, McNeil averages 1.5 crosses per game as compared to Barnes, who only averages 0.1 crosses per game.
Suffice to say, McNeil and Barnes are really talented young wide players who excel with different sets of attributes and Leicester completing a move for the 19-year-old would improve the quality of the supply lines for Jamie Vardy to feast upon.
That said, Leicester should make Dwight McNeil a top priority heading into the January window and beating off competition from other clubs in their pursuit of the 19-year-old could pay off handsomely, as the Burnley man looks destined for greater heights in the future.
by Sayan
Why Leicester City should beat others to Burnley starlet Dwight McNeil
According to claims from TEAMtalk (h/t Leicestershire Live), Leicester City have been credited with an interest in Burnley starlet Dwight McNeil, who has established himself as one of the best rising wide players in the Premier League.
The 19-year-old has established himself as a regular fixture for the Clarets since the second half of the previous campaign and his impressive transition from the academy to the senior level has already drawn admiring glances from the scouts of several other Premier League clubs higher up the table.
McNeil started his development in the youth ranks at Manchester United before joining Burnley’s academy back in 2014 and caught the eye with his rapid progress at various age-group levels for the Lancashire outfit. Apart from Leicester, Everton and Wolves have also shortlisted the Rochdale-born teenager as a potential transfer target heading into the mid-season trading period in January. (TEAMtalk, h/t Leicestershire Live)
However, McNeil, who has a contract at Turf Moor until the summer of 2023, is unlikely to be sold on the cheap by the Clarets, with the report claiming that Sean Dyche is holding out for a fee of around £30million to part ways with his influential wide player. The youngster earned rave reviews for his tally of 3 goals and 5 assists in 21 Premier League appearances last time around and he has kicked on exactly from where he had signed off last season.
McNeil has started each of Burnley’s first eleven league fixtures this term, scoring once and setting up another three from the left-hand side of the pitch. To put things into perspective, Leicester City look well on course for a top-six finish in the Premier League this season following an impressive start to the campaign under Brendan Rodgers and the acquisition of Dwight McNeil in January could add yet another feather to their cap.
Having inflicted an ignominious 9-0 defeat on Southampton last week, the Foxes continued their juggernaut with yet another impressive 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the Premier League this weekend, as Rodgers’ side finished Round 11 placed 3rd in the standings, ahead of Chelsea on goal difference. With James Maddison and Youri Tielemans continuing to pull out their dissecting knives on a regular basis to torment defences, Ayoze Perez starting to hit the ground running and Jamie Vardy simply unstoppable in front of goal, the Foxes have looked like a well-oiled attacking unit.
Academy prospect Harvey Barnes has established himself as a regular down the left-hand side of the pitch this term, with Demarai Gray and Marc Albrighton providing the youngster with good enough competition. However, McNeil’s unprecedented rise over the last ten months lie testament to his massive potential and the Burnley starlet could well prove to be an upgrade on someone like Gray, who has struggled with the quality of his end product over the course of his time at the King Power Stadium.
Blessed with an absolute wand of a left foot, the 19-year-old has impressed one and all with his proficiency in setting up goals with his pinpoint crossing from the left flank while also making his presence felt with his key passes and ability to hold on to the ball in the tight areas.
Verdict
McNeil might not be as quick and direct as someone like Barnes but he has shown that he is better than the Leicester graduate when it comes to setting up goals with crosses and set-piece ability. As per whoscored, McNeil averages 1.5 crosses per game as compared to Barnes, who only averages 0.1 crosses per game.
Suffice to say, McNeil and Barnes are really talented young wide players who excel with different sets of attributes and Leicester completing a move for the 19-year-old would improve the quality of the supply lines for Jamie Vardy to feast upon.
That said, Leicester should make Dwight McNeil a top priority heading into the January window and beating off competition from other clubs in their pursuit of the 19-year-old could pay off handsomely, as the Burnley man looks destined for greater heights in the future.
Leicester signing this 23-year-old Ligue 1 defensive rock would make them solid at the back
by Rohan Sengupta
Why Leicester City should go all out to sign Duje Caleta-Car
According to Leicester Mercury, Leicester City want to sign a central defender. After selling defensive ace Harry Maguire this summer to Manchester United, the Foxes failed in their attempts to bring in a replacement.
However, Brendan Rodgers remains intent on signing a central defender with Wes Morgan in the twilight of his career and his future at the club beyond this season in doubt.
The report claims that Leicester City could look at Marseille’s Duje Caleta-Car, Benfica star Ruben Dias and Real Sociedad’s Diego Llorente in a bid to fill the void left by Maguire. Earlier in September too, Leicester Mercury claimed that Caleta-Car could have been the player who’d have been scouted by Leicester City.
Speaking about Duje Caleta-Car, the 23-year-old joined Marseille from RB Salzburg last summer. He had an ordinary debut season with Marseille, managing just 20 Ligue 1 appearances. However, the Croat has hit the ground running this campaign, starting 7 games in the league out of 12. Standing at 6ft 4in, Caleta-Car is a powerhouse inside his own box and can lead his backline with authority and conviction.
The 23-year-old has been a defensive rock for Marseille inside his own half as evidenced by his average of 1.3 tackles, 0.8 interceptions and 3.9 clearances and 0.4 blocks per game in the Ligue 1 so far this season. [Courtesy: WhoScored.com]
Caleta-Car is a promising young centre-back which explains why Leicester would benefit by signing him. It remains to be seen whether or not Leicester attempt to sign him in January. Caglar Soyuncu has stepped up this season following Maguire’s departure, forging a strong partnership with Jonny Evans at the back. However, one shouldn’t forget that Evans has entered his 30s as well.
Verdict
Thus, signing Caleta-Car makes sense and Leicester must surely test Marseille’s resistance in January. The Foxes can have one of the most robust defences in the Premier League if they can find a way to pair Soyuncu up with Caleta-Car in the coming years.
by Rohan Sengupta
Why Leicester City should go all out to sign Duje Caleta-Car
According to Leicester Mercury, Leicester City want to sign a central defender. After selling defensive ace Harry Maguire this summer to Manchester United, the Foxes failed in their attempts to bring in a replacement.
However, Brendan Rodgers remains intent on signing a central defender with Wes Morgan in the twilight of his career and his future at the club beyond this season in doubt.
The report claims that Leicester City could look at Marseille’s Duje Caleta-Car, Benfica star Ruben Dias and Real Sociedad’s Diego Llorente in a bid to fill the void left by Maguire. Earlier in September too, Leicester Mercury claimed that Caleta-Car could have been the player who’d have been scouted by Leicester City.
Speaking about Duje Caleta-Car, the 23-year-old joined Marseille from RB Salzburg last summer. He had an ordinary debut season with Marseille, managing just 20 Ligue 1 appearances. However, the Croat has hit the ground running this campaign, starting 7 games in the league out of 12. Standing at 6ft 4in, Caleta-Car is a powerhouse inside his own box and can lead his backline with authority and conviction.
The 23-year-old has been a defensive rock for Marseille inside his own half as evidenced by his average of 1.3 tackles, 0.8 interceptions and 3.9 clearances and 0.4 blocks per game in the Ligue 1 so far this season. [Courtesy: WhoScored.com]
Caleta-Car is a promising young centre-back which explains why Leicester would benefit by signing him. It remains to be seen whether or not Leicester attempt to sign him in January. Caglar Soyuncu has stepped up this season following Maguire’s departure, forging a strong partnership with Jonny Evans at the back. However, one shouldn’t forget that Evans has entered his 30s as well.
Verdict
Thus, signing Caleta-Car makes sense and Leicester must surely test Marseille’s resistance in January. The Foxes can have one of the most robust defences in the Premier League if they can find a way to pair Soyuncu up with Caleta-Car in the coming years.
Leicester City’s goals would start flowing in by signing this 19-year-old wonder kid amidst Maddison’s uncertain future
by Jatin Gulia
Why shouldn’t Leicester City buy Kerem Baykus
According to Sport Witness, Leicester City are interested in Trabzonspor attacking midfielder Kerem Baykus. Since the arrival of Brendan Rodgers at the King Power Stadium, the Foxes are on a roll and have fully focused on bringing depth to their attack.
The Foxes signed Youri Tielemans from Monaco and Ayoze Perez from Newcastle United while Jamie Vardy has been the most successful striker in the Premier League, scoring more goals than any other player (19). And bringing in an attacking midfielder now would be like filling the squad with extra players.
Leicester have scored 25 goals in their 10 Premier League games so far. There is nothing wrong with the Foxes in terms of their attack. Furthermore, Leicester are not playing European football, thus keeping their schedule a bit light as compared to the top six. However, as things stand, Rodgers has clear plans of playing European football next season. And playing in European competitions will need a squad with a backup for almost every position.
The 19-year-old Baykus has been catching the eye for the Turkish club’s under-19 side, scoring twice and notching up an assist in his six appearances so far, across a range of attacking midfield positions. Last season, Baykus made 18 appearances in the Turkish Super Lig’s under-21 division, scoring once and registering two assists – and he has previously been included in the senior side’s matchday squads. The Trabzon-born player is under contract with his hometown club until June 2023.
If Baykus comes to the King Power Stadium in the winter transfer window, he will be likely to spend his time on the bench for the remaining season. However, the former Liverpool boss will have enough time to experiment with him in different positions in the midfield, most probably as a backup for James Maddison.
That said, Maddison’s future is uncertain at the club and he is the main architect for the Foxes. With Baykus coming in, he will make the position secure even if the England international exits next season.
There is no doubt Rodgers is taking all possible measures to safeguard Maddison’s future but bringing in the 19-year-old would be a better option.
by Jatin Gulia
Why shouldn’t Leicester City buy Kerem Baykus
According to Sport Witness, Leicester City are interested in Trabzonspor attacking midfielder Kerem Baykus. Since the arrival of Brendan Rodgers at the King Power Stadium, the Foxes are on a roll and have fully focused on bringing depth to their attack.
The Foxes signed Youri Tielemans from Monaco and Ayoze Perez from Newcastle United while Jamie Vardy has been the most successful striker in the Premier League, scoring more goals than any other player (19). And bringing in an attacking midfielder now would be like filling the squad with extra players.
Leicester have scored 25 goals in their 10 Premier League games so far. There is nothing wrong with the Foxes in terms of their attack. Furthermore, Leicester are not playing European football, thus keeping their schedule a bit light as compared to the top six. However, as things stand, Rodgers has clear plans of playing European football next season. And playing in European competitions will need a squad with a backup for almost every position.
The 19-year-old Baykus has been catching the eye for the Turkish club’s under-19 side, scoring twice and notching up an assist in his six appearances so far, across a range of attacking midfield positions. Last season, Baykus made 18 appearances in the Turkish Super Lig’s under-21 division, scoring once and registering two assists – and he has previously been included in the senior side’s matchday squads. The Trabzon-born player is under contract with his hometown club until June 2023.
If Baykus comes to the King Power Stadium in the winter transfer window, he will be likely to spend his time on the bench for the remaining season. However, the former Liverpool boss will have enough time to experiment with him in different positions in the midfield, most probably as a backup for James Maddison.
That said, Maddison’s future is uncertain at the club and he is the main architect for the Foxes. With Baykus coming in, he will make the position secure even if the England international exits next season.
There is no doubt Rodgers is taking all possible measures to safeguard Maddison’s future but bringing in the 19-year-old would be a better option.
Why Leicester should let go of their upcoming English star instead of offering a £100,000-a-week deal
by Jatin Gulia
According to Metro, Leicester City are preparing to make left-back Ben Chilwell one of their highest-paid players by offering him a £100,000-per-week deal in an attempt to ward off interest from Chelsea.
Even though Chilwell has emerged as one of the left-backs in the Premier League, a new deal means sticking with the defender for at least five more years. Brendon Rodgers and Leicester City have done a great deal by selling Harry Maguire to Manchester United at the beginning of the season.
Manchester United are interested in landing Leicester duo James Maddison and Ben Chilwell for £130m. Leicester have always been known for making players instead of buying them. It is this thought which led them to win the Premier League title in the 2015-16 campaign. The star performer in that title win, Jamie Vardy, was playing for Fleetwood Town before joining Leicester in 2012.
The transfer rumours play a very big role in a player’s form and mentality and if a player starts getting affected by them, it will be very difficult for him to perform consistently for a club like Leicester. Chilwell has managed just two clean sheets in six Premier League appearances this season and has already conceded five goals in those games. Last season, he played 3240 league minutes and conceded just 43 goals.
Conclusion
Leicester would be wise to take the money and let go of Chilwell, using which they can even strengthen the squad in other departments as well. An additional player in the defensive midfield would be of help as Wilfred Ndidi is the sole player in that department.
Furthermore, an additional force up front will also be required as an ageing Jamie Vardy will not be firing on all cylinders.
by Jatin Gulia
According to Metro, Leicester City are preparing to make left-back Ben Chilwell one of their highest-paid players by offering him a £100,000-per-week deal in an attempt to ward off interest from Chelsea.
Even though Chilwell has emerged as one of the left-backs in the Premier League, a new deal means sticking with the defender for at least five more years. Brendon Rodgers and Leicester City have done a great deal by selling Harry Maguire to Manchester United at the beginning of the season.
Manchester United are interested in landing Leicester duo James Maddison and Ben Chilwell for £130m. Leicester have always been known for making players instead of buying them. It is this thought which led them to win the Premier League title in the 2015-16 campaign. The star performer in that title win, Jamie Vardy, was playing for Fleetwood Town before joining Leicester in 2012.
The transfer rumours play a very big role in a player’s form and mentality and if a player starts getting affected by them, it will be very difficult for him to perform consistently for a club like Leicester. Chilwell has managed just two clean sheets in six Premier League appearances this season and has already conceded five goals in those games. Last season, he played 3240 league minutes and conceded just 43 goals.
Conclusion
Leicester would be wise to take the money and let go of Chilwell, using which they can even strengthen the squad in other departments as well. An additional player in the defensive midfield would be of help as Wilfred Ndidi is the sole player in that department.
Furthermore, an additional force up front will also be required as an ageing Jamie Vardy will not be firing on all cylinders.
Enough is enough – Leicester City must call time on this £25m star’s tenure at the King Power and here is why
by Sayan
According to claims from Turkish outlet Fotospor, out-of-favour Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho is the subject of interest from Turkish giants Besiktas.
As per the report, Besiktas want to enter into negotiations with the Foxes over an 18-month loan deal for Iheanacho, with the 23-year-old Nigerian international very much a peripheral figure in the first-team fold under Brendan Rodgers.
Iheanacho, who came through the door at the King Power Stadium from Man City back in the summer of 2017 for a fee of £25 million, has only played a bit-part role under the likes of Craig Shakespeare, Claude Puel and Rodgers, making only 16 starts in the Premier League from a possible 84.
Despite Rodgers confirming last month that Iheanacho is still very much a part of his plans moving forward (h/t Leicestershire Live), the Nigerian is yet to make a single appearance in the Premier Leauge for the Foxes, with his cameo in the 4-0 rout of Luton Town in the Carabao Cup being his only involvement thus far this term.
The 23-year-old did find the net in the cup game but that, apparently, hasn’t been enough to convince Rodgers of his credentials and the striker currently finds himself stuck in limbo at Leicester until January.
He still has a contract at the King Power Stadium until 2022 but, with summer recruit Ayoze Perez establishing himself as the preferred understudy to Jamie Vardy under Rodgers, things are unlikely to take a turnaround in the positive direction as far as Iheanacho is concerned.
The 23-cap Nigerian international was used regularly as an impact player off the bench by former Foxes manager Claude Puel, with the striker starting 9 and making a further 21 substitute appearances in the Premier League the last term. Iheanacho, though, managed to find the net only once in 931 minutes of Premier League football in the previous campaign and it is easy to see as to why he has been frozen out of the playing eleven by Rodgers this term, with the move versatile and technically-gifted Perez clearly ahead of him in the pecking order.
Leicester would have hoped to land themselves an ideal long-term successor to the throne of Jamie Vardy when Kelechi Iheanacho came through the door with a lofty price tag from Man City a couple of years back but his failure to cement a first-team place under three different managers is indicative of the deficiencies in his game.
Having netted 21 goals in 64 games for Man City, Iheanacho arrived at Leicester with a promising scoring record but his productivity has dropped significantly over the past two seasons, with the 23-year-old only managing meagre returns of 11 goals in 64 outings for the Foxes.
Now, whether that has got something to do with his lack of commitment or it is simply a matter of lacking the right mentality to make a big impact in a league as competitive as the Premier League, it has to be said that the Foxes need to make a decision on the future Kelechi Iheanacho sooner rather than later. With Rodgers seemingly not keen to hand him regular minutes, it hardly makes any sense for Leicester to keep him on their payroll for doing next to nothing, nor does it for Iheanacho, who should be keen to play a lot more football at the age of 23.
Undoubtedly, the Nigerian international has got the potential to cut the mustard in Europe but warming the benches at the King Power Stadium isn’t going to do his career any good. With that in mind, the Foxes should be open to moving him on in January in a bid to cut down their wage bills and given his failure to make an impact, few would rue his departure from Leicester City.
Besiktas are yet to make an official enquiry about Kelechi Iheanacho but if the Turkish heavyweights to firm up their interest in the 23-year-old in January, the Foxes should pounce on the opportunity to offload one of their glorified benchwarmers. Looking at things from the player’s perspective, a move to less intense surroundings in Turkey could help him reinvigorate his faltering career and eventually convince a potential suitor to prise him away from Leicester City with a permanent deal.
It is clear that he doesn’t have a future at Leicester and cashing in on him in the upcoming transfer windows would provide the club with some valuable cash to fund reinvestment, even if it means allowing him to move on at a loss. All in all, Leicester City parting ways with the 23-year-old would be in the best interests of all parties involved.
by Sayan
According to claims from Turkish outlet Fotospor, out-of-favour Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho is the subject of interest from Turkish giants Besiktas.
As per the report, Besiktas want to enter into negotiations with the Foxes over an 18-month loan deal for Iheanacho, with the 23-year-old Nigerian international very much a peripheral figure in the first-team fold under Brendan Rodgers.
Iheanacho, who came through the door at the King Power Stadium from Man City back in the summer of 2017 for a fee of £25 million, has only played a bit-part role under the likes of Craig Shakespeare, Claude Puel and Rodgers, making only 16 starts in the Premier League from a possible 84.
Despite Rodgers confirming last month that Iheanacho is still very much a part of his plans moving forward (h/t Leicestershire Live), the Nigerian is yet to make a single appearance in the Premier Leauge for the Foxes, with his cameo in the 4-0 rout of Luton Town in the Carabao Cup being his only involvement thus far this term.
The 23-year-old did find the net in the cup game but that, apparently, hasn’t been enough to convince Rodgers of his credentials and the striker currently finds himself stuck in limbo at Leicester until January.
He still has a contract at the King Power Stadium until 2022 but, with summer recruit Ayoze Perez establishing himself as the preferred understudy to Jamie Vardy under Rodgers, things are unlikely to take a turnaround in the positive direction as far as Iheanacho is concerned.
The 23-cap Nigerian international was used regularly as an impact player off the bench by former Foxes manager Claude Puel, with the striker starting 9 and making a further 21 substitute appearances in the Premier League the last term. Iheanacho, though, managed to find the net only once in 931 minutes of Premier League football in the previous campaign and it is easy to see as to why he has been frozen out of the playing eleven by Rodgers this term, with the move versatile and technically-gifted Perez clearly ahead of him in the pecking order.
Leicester would have hoped to land themselves an ideal long-term successor to the throne of Jamie Vardy when Kelechi Iheanacho came through the door with a lofty price tag from Man City a couple of years back but his failure to cement a first-team place under three different managers is indicative of the deficiencies in his game.
Having netted 21 goals in 64 games for Man City, Iheanacho arrived at Leicester with a promising scoring record but his productivity has dropped significantly over the past two seasons, with the 23-year-old only managing meagre returns of 11 goals in 64 outings for the Foxes.
Now, whether that has got something to do with his lack of commitment or it is simply a matter of lacking the right mentality to make a big impact in a league as competitive as the Premier League, it has to be said that the Foxes need to make a decision on the future Kelechi Iheanacho sooner rather than later. With Rodgers seemingly not keen to hand him regular minutes, it hardly makes any sense for Leicester to keep him on their payroll for doing next to nothing, nor does it for Iheanacho, who should be keen to play a lot more football at the age of 23.
Undoubtedly, the Nigerian international has got the potential to cut the mustard in Europe but warming the benches at the King Power Stadium isn’t going to do his career any good. With that in mind, the Foxes should be open to moving him on in January in a bid to cut down their wage bills and given his failure to make an impact, few would rue his departure from Leicester City.
Besiktas are yet to make an official enquiry about Kelechi Iheanacho but if the Turkish heavyweights to firm up their interest in the 23-year-old in January, the Foxes should pounce on the opportunity to offload one of their glorified benchwarmers. Looking at things from the player’s perspective, a move to less intense surroundings in Turkey could help him reinvigorate his faltering career and eventually convince a potential suitor to prise him away from Leicester City with a permanent deal.
It is clear that he doesn’t have a future at Leicester and cashing in on him in the upcoming transfer windows would provide the club with some valuable cash to fund reinvestment, even if it means allowing him to move on at a loss. All in all, Leicester City parting ways with the 23-year-old would be in the best interests of all parties involved.
