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Independent bloggers for Leicester till I die, giving you a non biased view of Leicester City FC news & rumours
Leicester City signing this teenage striking sensation could be a cheap but valuable investment
by Siddharth Suresh
Why Ali Akman would be a good future investment for Leicester City
According to Turkish website Fotospor (h/t Leicestershire Live), Leicester City are keeping close tabs on Turkish teenager Ali Akman. The 17-year-old striker currently plies his trade with Turkish outfit Bursaspor and was handed first-team action following the side’s relegation from the Super Lig (first division) last season.
His impressive displays in front of goal had caught the attention of the Foxes, who had sent scouts to monitor the young talent, the reports claim. Despite being so young, Akman’s excellent display in front has helped his side climb to third place in the second division.
Rising through the Bursaspor ranks, Akman has now grabbed the limelight by racking up four goals and providing one assist from 18 matches across all competitions this season. However, he has a contract with the Bursaspor until the summer of 2021 and is also scouted by Leicester’s Premier League rivals Manchester City and Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers Leicester City are in the lookout for a new striker with the side currently having just two centre-forwards in Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho. Veteran striker Vardy has been pivotal to Leicester’s success this season, scoring 19 goals and assisting four times in the league. The Englishman is the league top goal-scorer and has helped his side grab the third place in the league standings.
However, he turned 33 last January and is not getting any younger. The Foxes clearly need someone to replace their star striker, who has been doing a commendable job for them in the past few years.
Iheanacho, meanwhile, has been growing in stature and has impressed whenever given an opportunity. He has found the back of the net three times and has given four assists from the 12 appearances that he has made so far. But the Nigerian has not been a consistent performer over the years and everything depends on form.
Moreover, even if Leicester decide to make Iheanacho their first-choice striker, they need a back-up for him and Akman would be an appropriate fit. Having said that, it is crystal clear Leicester lack enough strikers in their ranks.
Hence, their interest in young Akman makes complete sense. Moreover, Leicester need quality finishers up front if they wish to stay on top in the long run.
Verdict
In young Akman, Leicester have a suitable future replacement for their star man Jamie Vardy. Also, a proven performer Akman would be a cheap buy for the Foxes given the fact that he will turn just 18 next month. Hence, Leicester should continue their pursuit of the teenager and land him soon.
by Siddharth Suresh
Why Ali Akman would be a good future investment for Leicester City
According to Turkish website Fotospor (h/t Leicestershire Live), Leicester City are keeping close tabs on Turkish teenager Ali Akman. The 17-year-old striker currently plies his trade with Turkish outfit Bursaspor and was handed first-team action following the side’s relegation from the Super Lig (first division) last season.
His impressive displays in front of goal had caught the attention of the Foxes, who had sent scouts to monitor the young talent, the reports claim. Despite being so young, Akman’s excellent display in front has helped his side climb to third place in the second division.
Rising through the Bursaspor ranks, Akman has now grabbed the limelight by racking up four goals and providing one assist from 18 matches across all competitions this season. However, he has a contract with the Bursaspor until the summer of 2021 and is also scouted by Leicester’s Premier League rivals Manchester City and Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers Leicester City are in the lookout for a new striker with the side currently having just two centre-forwards in Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho. Veteran striker Vardy has been pivotal to Leicester’s success this season, scoring 19 goals and assisting four times in the league. The Englishman is the league top goal-scorer and has helped his side grab the third place in the league standings.
However, he turned 33 last January and is not getting any younger. The Foxes clearly need someone to replace their star striker, who has been doing a commendable job for them in the past few years.
Iheanacho, meanwhile, has been growing in stature and has impressed whenever given an opportunity. He has found the back of the net three times and has given four assists from the 12 appearances that he has made so far. But the Nigerian has not been a consistent performer over the years and everything depends on form.
Moreover, even if Leicester decide to make Iheanacho their first-choice striker, they need a back-up for him and Akman would be an appropriate fit. Having said that, it is crystal clear Leicester lack enough strikers in their ranks.
Hence, their interest in young Akman makes complete sense. Moreover, Leicester need quality finishers up front if they wish to stay on top in the long run.
Verdict
In young Akman, Leicester have a suitable future replacement for their star man Jamie Vardy. Also, a proven performer Akman would be a cheap buy for the Foxes given the fact that he will turn just 18 next month. Hence, Leicester should continue their pursuit of the teenager and land him soon.
Aston Villa would do well by avoiding a loan move for this 31-year-old PL striker
by Rohan Sengupta
Why Aston Villa should avoid signing striker Islam Slimani this month
According to L’Equipe (h/t The Birmingham Mail), Aston Villa are linked to Islam Slimani, who is currently plying his trade for AS Monaco.
The Algerian international, 31, who is on a season-long loan from Leicester City, scored his seventh goal of the season for AS Monaco in an entertaining 3-3 draw with reigning French champions Paris Saint-Germain. He netted Monaco’s third 20 minutes from time, rescuing a point for Robert Moreno’s side.
Islam Slimani notched his seventh goal in 13 games for the Ligue 1 side but is unhappy after being left on the bench and pushed out to the wing instead of being used as a centre-forward, the report adds. (h/t The Birmingham Mail)
Aston Villa, meanwhile, completed their first signing of the transfer window last week with midfielder Danny Drinkwater joining in a loan deal from Chelsea until the end of the season. Drinkwater made his debut as Dean Smith’s side were beaten 6-1 by Manchester City on Sunday.
Smith is in the market for options to solve his striker crisis after Wesley Moraes has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury. (h/t The Birmingham Mail)
As the Villans only have Jonathan Kodjia and young Keinan Davis as the only options in the number nine role, signing a striker is a no-brainer. That being said, should the Villans go for Islam Slimani?
Slimani has enjoyed an excellent campaign with Monaco since arriving on a loan deal this past summer, scoring seven goals while also notching seven assists.
While he’s on fire with the Ligue 1 side, the Algerian failed to make the grade at Leicester City. He signed from Sporting Lisbon back in 2016 and scored just 13 times for the Foxes in 46 appearances all competitions, featuring largely as a backup option.
The 31-year-old did struggle with the fast-paced nature of Premier League football and hardly convinced the King Power Stadium faithful. So, he might not be the best option for the Villans.
Verdict
Villa are in the market for a new striker after Wesley’s season-ending injury and they will need a prolific goalscorer to come through the door. Slimani perhaps isn’t that signing and thus, Smith and co. must stay away from the Algerian international, even though he’s doing well in Ligue 1.
by Rohan Sengupta
Why Aston Villa should avoid signing striker Islam Slimani this month
According to L’Equipe (h/t The Birmingham Mail), Aston Villa are linked to Islam Slimani, who is currently plying his trade for AS Monaco.
The Algerian international, 31, who is on a season-long loan from Leicester City, scored his seventh goal of the season for AS Monaco in an entertaining 3-3 draw with reigning French champions Paris Saint-Germain. He netted Monaco’s third 20 minutes from time, rescuing a point for Robert Moreno’s side.
Islam Slimani notched his seventh goal in 13 games for the Ligue 1 side but is unhappy after being left on the bench and pushed out to the wing instead of being used as a centre-forward, the report adds. (h/t The Birmingham Mail)
Aston Villa, meanwhile, completed their first signing of the transfer window last week with midfielder Danny Drinkwater joining in a loan deal from Chelsea until the end of the season. Drinkwater made his debut as Dean Smith’s side were beaten 6-1 by Manchester City on Sunday.
Smith is in the market for options to solve his striker crisis after Wesley Moraes has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury. (h/t The Birmingham Mail)
As the Villans only have Jonathan Kodjia and young Keinan Davis as the only options in the number nine role, signing a striker is a no-brainer. That being said, should the Villans go for Islam Slimani?
Slimani has enjoyed an excellent campaign with Monaco since arriving on a loan deal this past summer, scoring seven goals while also notching seven assists.
While he’s on fire with the Ligue 1 side, the Algerian failed to make the grade at Leicester City. He signed from Sporting Lisbon back in 2016 and scored just 13 times for the Foxes in 46 appearances all competitions, featuring largely as a backup option.
The 31-year-old did struggle with the fast-paced nature of Premier League football and hardly convinced the King Power Stadium faithful. So, he might not be the best option for the Villans.
Verdict
Villa are in the market for a new striker after Wesley’s season-ending injury and they will need a prolific goalscorer to come through the door. Slimani perhaps isn’t that signing and thus, Smith and co. must stay away from the Algerian international, even though he’s doing well in Ligue 1.
Leicester splashing £30m on prolific Celtic star would sort out their attack for the next decade
by Siddharth Suresh
Why signing Edouard would be an excellent futuristic move by Leicester
According to a report by Daily Record, Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers is interested in signing Celtic’s striker Odsonne Edouard. The Irishman is prepared to offer a record-breaking fee of around £30million for the French finisher, who is seen as a long-term successor to Leicester’s star striker Jamie Vardy.
Rodgers, who led Celtic to two successive Scottish league titles (2016-17, 2017-18) before arriving at Leicester, had signed the 21-year-old Edouard for a sum of £9million from Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the summer of 2018.
He has been making waves in the Scottish league ever since, scoring goals for fun, and now has a total of 49 goals from 112 matches for the Hoops. The youngster has been in terrific form this season for the Celts as he looks set to fire them to a 9th successive league title.
So far, he has scored 12 goals from 17 league appearances for the league leaders, thus making him one of the most important players in the side this season.
However, Celtic have informed their former boss that they have no intention of letting their talismanic striker leave midway through the season, especially with the club on the verge of a league campaign of such historical significance.
Meanwhile, Leicester are in sensational form this season, sitting comfortably at second place in the Premier League table behind runaway leaders Liverpool, and look well set for a Champions League return, with half the season yet to be played.
Rodgers owes it all to veteran finisher Jamie Vardy, whose goal-scoring exploits pushed them to the top-four early in the season. He is currently the league’s top-scorer with 17 goals from 19 games, signifying his worth within the high-flying Foxes unit.
However, Vardy is playing his 8th season with the East Midlands side and is already 32 now. Though he has proven that age is just a number, the Englishman is not getting any younger and it makes perfect sense as to why Rodgers is in pursuit of a new young face like Edouard. Moreover, Leicester are clearly short of finishers, with Kelechi Iheanacho being the only other recognized centre-forward in the side.
Leicester City has been impressive this season in the Premier League, with the side sitting comfortably in second place. Iheanacho, though he has impressed whenever called upon, has still not won Rodgers’ complete faith as it is evident from the bit-part role that the Foxes boss has been offering him. The 46-year-old boss has thus made it clear that his priorities with Leicester are indeed long-term and that he intends to change them into one of the top clubs in England.
Verdict
With Vardy already in his thirties now, and Leicester lacking good finishers within the squad, a move for the talented Edouard seems like a wise decision.
Moreover, being a consistent goal-scorer, the youngster could be an appropriate replacement for veteran Vardy, who has been scoring on a regular basis over the years.
Thus, Rodgers’ decision to spill the cash on the Frenchman seems like an excellent futuristic move.
by Siddharth Suresh
Why signing Edouard would be an excellent futuristic move by Leicester
According to a report by Daily Record, Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers is interested in signing Celtic’s striker Odsonne Edouard. The Irishman is prepared to offer a record-breaking fee of around £30million for the French finisher, who is seen as a long-term successor to Leicester’s star striker Jamie Vardy.
Rodgers, who led Celtic to two successive Scottish league titles (2016-17, 2017-18) before arriving at Leicester, had signed the 21-year-old Edouard for a sum of £9million from Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the summer of 2018.
He has been making waves in the Scottish league ever since, scoring goals for fun, and now has a total of 49 goals from 112 matches for the Hoops. The youngster has been in terrific form this season for the Celts as he looks set to fire them to a 9th successive league title.
So far, he has scored 12 goals from 17 league appearances for the league leaders, thus making him one of the most important players in the side this season.
However, Celtic have informed their former boss that they have no intention of letting their talismanic striker leave midway through the season, especially with the club on the verge of a league campaign of such historical significance.
Meanwhile, Leicester are in sensational form this season, sitting comfortably at second place in the Premier League table behind runaway leaders Liverpool, and look well set for a Champions League return, with half the season yet to be played.
Rodgers owes it all to veteran finisher Jamie Vardy, whose goal-scoring exploits pushed them to the top-four early in the season. He is currently the league’s top-scorer with 17 goals from 19 games, signifying his worth within the high-flying Foxes unit.
However, Vardy is playing his 8th season with the East Midlands side and is already 32 now. Though he has proven that age is just a number, the Englishman is not getting any younger and it makes perfect sense as to why Rodgers is in pursuit of a new young face like Edouard. Moreover, Leicester are clearly short of finishers, with Kelechi Iheanacho being the only other recognized centre-forward in the side.
Leicester City has been impressive this season in the Premier League, with the side sitting comfortably in second place. Iheanacho, though he has impressed whenever called upon, has still not won Rodgers’ complete faith as it is evident from the bit-part role that the Foxes boss has been offering him. The 46-year-old boss has thus made it clear that his priorities with Leicester are indeed long-term and that he intends to change them into one of the top clubs in England.
Verdict
With Vardy already in his thirties now, and Leicester lacking good finishers within the squad, a move for the talented Edouard seems like a wise decision.
Moreover, being a consistent goal-scorer, the youngster could be an appropriate replacement for veteran Vardy, who has been scoring on a regular basis over the years.
Thus, Rodgers’ decision to spill the cash on the Frenchman seems like an excellent futuristic move.
Leicester City signing this 24-year-old from rivals would be a viable Chilwell back-up
by Indhrajit James
Why Leicester City should go all out to sign Luke Shaw
According to Leicestershire Live, Leicester City are preparing to make a move for Luke Shaw as a potential replacement for Ben Chilwell, who is creeping closer to a Chelsea transfer.
The Metro suggests that though the Foxes do not want Chilwell to go, they are preparing a contingency plan and Shaw has emerged as a target.
Shaw,24, who came through the ranks of Southampton’s youth system, joined Manchester United in the summer of 2014 after a brilliant season at St. Mary’s. He was signed as a long-term prospect for United after the departure of Patrice Evra but a combination of fitness issues and injuries have plagued his career at Old Trafford.
Over the past five and a half years, the Englishman made only 119 appearances for the Red Devils and, in the process has scored only 1 goal. It has been the same for him this season and injuries have gotten the better of Shaw, allowing him to feature in just 11 league games.
His contract at United runs until the summer of 2023 but with youngster Brandon Williams emerging at the right time, Shaw seems to be walking a thin line at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, the Foxes endured an outstanding start to the season, which saw them above the Etihad outfit in 2nd position in the league standings until last week. But three losses in the space of a month saw them drop one place lower, and the loss to Southampton cost their spot.
However, with another half of the season yet to be played, Brendan Rodgers would need his players to stay fit and qualify for the Champions League. But that can be possible only if there is depth in the squad in all the positions. And with Chilwell’s uncertain future at the club, the Midland club boss must make sure he must prioritize strengthening the left-back position.
Apart from Chilwell, only Christian Fuchs is available at the manager’s disposal in that area and he must strengthen the backline by signing Luke Shaw.
The 24-year-old has a very positive style of play as a left-back. His pace, control and dribbling are top-notch and those are some of his impressive attributes. The only question that remains is about his fitness and once he is free from injuries, he would be at the top of his game.
The English international is not only defensively solid, when fit, but can contribute offensively as well. He is capable of exploiting space and supporting his teammates with and without the ball. Shaw could be the one to fit in Rodgers’ side if Chilwell leaves.
Verdict
With Fuchs ageing, the former Southampton man can walk straight into Leicester’s line-up, given his qualities.
If he is fit to play regularly, Shaw could go on to play for Leicester in the long run and also revive his hopes of playing for his country.
by Indhrajit James
Why Leicester City should go all out to sign Luke Shaw
According to Leicestershire Live, Leicester City are preparing to make a move for Luke Shaw as a potential replacement for Ben Chilwell, who is creeping closer to a Chelsea transfer.
The Metro suggests that though the Foxes do not want Chilwell to go, they are preparing a contingency plan and Shaw has emerged as a target.
Shaw,24, who came through the ranks of Southampton’s youth system, joined Manchester United in the summer of 2014 after a brilliant season at St. Mary’s. He was signed as a long-term prospect for United after the departure of Patrice Evra but a combination of fitness issues and injuries have plagued his career at Old Trafford.
Over the past five and a half years, the Englishman made only 119 appearances for the Red Devils and, in the process has scored only 1 goal. It has been the same for him this season and injuries have gotten the better of Shaw, allowing him to feature in just 11 league games.
His contract at United runs until the summer of 2023 but with youngster Brandon Williams emerging at the right time, Shaw seems to be walking a thin line at Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, the Foxes endured an outstanding start to the season, which saw them above the Etihad outfit in 2nd position in the league standings until last week. But three losses in the space of a month saw them drop one place lower, and the loss to Southampton cost their spot.
However, with another half of the season yet to be played, Brendan Rodgers would need his players to stay fit and qualify for the Champions League. But that can be possible only if there is depth in the squad in all the positions. And with Chilwell’s uncertain future at the club, the Midland club boss must make sure he must prioritize strengthening the left-back position.
Apart from Chilwell, only Christian Fuchs is available at the manager’s disposal in that area and he must strengthen the backline by signing Luke Shaw.
The 24-year-old has a very positive style of play as a left-back. His pace, control and dribbling are top-notch and those are some of his impressive attributes. The only question that remains is about his fitness and once he is free from injuries, he would be at the top of his game.
The English international is not only defensively solid, when fit, but can contribute offensively as well. He is capable of exploiting space and supporting his teammates with and without the ball. Shaw could be the one to fit in Rodgers’ side if Chilwell leaves.
Verdict
With Fuchs ageing, the former Southampton man can walk straight into Leicester’s line-up, given his qualities.
If he is fit to play regularly, Shaw could go on to play for Leicester in the long run and also revive his hopes of playing for his country.
Leicester City retaining this crucial 23-year-old star is absolutely vital to their progress
by Indhrajit James
Why Leicester must keep hold of Wilfred Ndidi amidst exit links
Reports in Nigeria (h/t LeicestershireLive) claims that Wilfred Ndidi has been linked with a move away from the King Power Stadium.
Ndidi, 23, signed for the Foxes in the winter of the 2016/17 season. He is currently in his third season with the club and has been a key component in the midfield. Leicester’s unprecedented title-winning campaign in 2016 meant that their star players were on the move and it happened exactly.
N’Golo Kante’s departure meant the East Midland club were left without firepower in the centre of their team. But in came Ndidi, who had impressed in Belgium with Genk and his inclusion to the squad never left the void noticeable.
Having worked with Claudio Ranieri, Craig Shakespeare, Claude Puel previously, he has been the central figure under Brendan Rodgers this term.
The 23-year-old has made 120 appearances for the English outfit so far and seems to be getting stronger each day. He is the driving force that keeps Leicester ticking at the top of the table, one placed behind leaders Liverpool.
His importance the team has grown since the Northern Irishman took charge at Leicester City. Ndidi sits as a shield in front of their already dominant defensive unit.
His performances in the recent months have caught the attraction of Europe and there are rave reviews about Ndidi’s positioning and understanding of the game. He has established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders across Europe and it is no mean feat for a player of his age.
The Nigerian has not only improved in his defensive qualities but has also been able to position himself higher up the pitch. By starting in the deep of the midfield, he has gone on to notch up two goals for his side, the most recent one coming in the 5-0 demolition of Newcastle United.
Rodgers has used him so effectively that, at the moment, it would be a surprise to see if he is dropped from the team sheet. Ndidi has become accustomed to the anchor role and if Leicester allow him to leave, their fortunes might take a different turn.
Ndidi’s presence in the centre allows James Maddison and Youri Tielemans to move freely higher up the pitch and the playmaking duo are able to support Jamie Vardy in an advanced role, without having to think much about the defensive situation.
The former Genk man has registered the second-highest tackles (72) and is the player with most interceptions (47) made in the Premier League so far. A tireless runner on the pitch, Ndidi has been omnipresent on the pitch and has taken his game to a higher level.
Verdict
Having said all this, Leicester must make sure that they keep hold of him with their rivals Arsenal on the lookout for him in January, according to the report
by Indhrajit James
Why Leicester must keep hold of Wilfred Ndidi amidst exit links
Reports in Nigeria (h/t LeicestershireLive) claims that Wilfred Ndidi has been linked with a move away from the King Power Stadium.
Ndidi, 23, signed for the Foxes in the winter of the 2016/17 season. He is currently in his third season with the club and has been a key component in the midfield. Leicester’s unprecedented title-winning campaign in 2016 meant that their star players were on the move and it happened exactly.
N’Golo Kante’s departure meant the East Midland club were left without firepower in the centre of their team. But in came Ndidi, who had impressed in Belgium with Genk and his inclusion to the squad never left the void noticeable.
Having worked with Claudio Ranieri, Craig Shakespeare, Claude Puel previously, he has been the central figure under Brendan Rodgers this term.
The 23-year-old has made 120 appearances for the English outfit so far and seems to be getting stronger each day. He is the driving force that keeps Leicester ticking at the top of the table, one placed behind leaders Liverpool.
His importance the team has grown since the Northern Irishman took charge at Leicester City. Ndidi sits as a shield in front of their already dominant defensive unit.
His performances in the recent months have caught the attraction of Europe and there are rave reviews about Ndidi’s positioning and understanding of the game. He has established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders across Europe and it is no mean feat for a player of his age.
The Nigerian has not only improved in his defensive qualities but has also been able to position himself higher up the pitch. By starting in the deep of the midfield, he has gone on to notch up two goals for his side, the most recent one coming in the 5-0 demolition of Newcastle United.
Rodgers has used him so effectively that, at the moment, it would be a surprise to see if he is dropped from the team sheet. Ndidi has become accustomed to the anchor role and if Leicester allow him to leave, their fortunes might take a different turn.
Ndidi’s presence in the centre allows James Maddison and Youri Tielemans to move freely higher up the pitch and the playmaking duo are able to support Jamie Vardy in an advanced role, without having to think much about the defensive situation.
The former Genk man has registered the second-highest tackles (72) and is the player with most interceptions (47) made in the Premier League so far. A tireless runner on the pitch, Ndidi has been omnipresent on the pitch and has taken his game to a higher level.
Verdict
Having said all this, Leicester must make sure that they keep hold of him with their rivals Arsenal on the lookout for him in January, according to the report
Derby signing this 22-year-old Leicester outcast would immediately solve defensive woes
by Rohan Sengupta
Why Filip Benkovic could be a smart addition for Derby County
According to Telegraph, Derby County have launched a bid to sign Leicester defender Filip Benkovic on loan in January.
Filip Benkovic, 22, who was signed by Leicester last August for £13million from Dinamo Zagreb, will be allowed to leave on loan after failing to make a first-team appearance under Brendan Rodgers so far this season, the report adds. He has been playing with Leicester U23s, failing to play a single minute for the Foxes first-team this season, thanks to the strong form shown by Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu.
After a solid loan spell with Celtic last term, the Croatian should be ready to tackle the highly competitive nature of Championship football. Derby County have endured a difficult campaign under Phillip Cocu and are 17th in the league after one win in eight matches. Injuries to key players as well as the sacking of Richard Keogh have largely hurt the Rams.
They were beaten 3-0 by Reading on Saturday, firming up the need for reinforcements for the second half of the campaign. Ahead of the January transfer window, Derby have prioritised signing a central defender (h/t Telegraph). Having sacked Keogh, the Rams are currently short of defensive options.
They have been struggling defensively of late, especially away from home, having conceded 13 goals in their last six away league games, with Craig Forsyth coming in alongside Curtis Davies in central defence to replace the injured Matt Clarke. Keeping that in mind, Filip Benkovic’s addition makes sense. Impressive during his temporary spell at Celtic last season, Benkovic helped the Scottish side win the domestic treble by featuring on 28 occasions in all competitions.
If signed, the Croatian should walk straight into the team alongside Curtis Davies at the back, allowing Craig Forsyth to challenge for the left-back spot. Despite being just 22, Benkovic is a vocal leader and will add some much-needed strength and physicality to the Derby backline. The ex-Dinamo Zagreb man is an aggressive defender, commanding in the air, tenacious in the tackle and composed in possession.
Due to his 6ft 4in frame, he is an asset to have in both boxes and would also provide Cocu’s side with a threat from set-pieces. Benkovic scored two goals while on loan at Celtic last season and he also scored four goals for Dinamo Zagreb the season before. Hence, he should be a really handy customer to have during dead-ball situations.
Verdict
Benkovic is a very promising defender and has the required attributes to thrive in the Championship. All in all, the Croatian could be an excellent signing for Cocu’s Derby side.
by Rohan Sengupta
Why Filip Benkovic could be a smart addition for Derby County
According to Telegraph, Derby County have launched a bid to sign Leicester defender Filip Benkovic on loan in January.
Filip Benkovic, 22, who was signed by Leicester last August for £13million from Dinamo Zagreb, will be allowed to leave on loan after failing to make a first-team appearance under Brendan Rodgers so far this season, the report adds. He has been playing with Leicester U23s, failing to play a single minute for the Foxes first-team this season, thanks to the strong form shown by Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu.
After a solid loan spell with Celtic last term, the Croatian should be ready to tackle the highly competitive nature of Championship football. Derby County have endured a difficult campaign under Phillip Cocu and are 17th in the league after one win in eight matches. Injuries to key players as well as the sacking of Richard Keogh have largely hurt the Rams.
They were beaten 3-0 by Reading on Saturday, firming up the need for reinforcements for the second half of the campaign. Ahead of the January transfer window, Derby have prioritised signing a central defender (h/t Telegraph). Having sacked Keogh, the Rams are currently short of defensive options.
They have been struggling defensively of late, especially away from home, having conceded 13 goals in their last six away league games, with Craig Forsyth coming in alongside Curtis Davies in central defence to replace the injured Matt Clarke. Keeping that in mind, Filip Benkovic’s addition makes sense. Impressive during his temporary spell at Celtic last season, Benkovic helped the Scottish side win the domestic treble by featuring on 28 occasions in all competitions.
If signed, the Croatian should walk straight into the team alongside Curtis Davies at the back, allowing Craig Forsyth to challenge for the left-back spot. Despite being just 22, Benkovic is a vocal leader and will add some much-needed strength and physicality to the Derby backline. The ex-Dinamo Zagreb man is an aggressive defender, commanding in the air, tenacious in the tackle and composed in possession.
Due to his 6ft 4in frame, he is an asset to have in both boxes and would also provide Cocu’s side with a threat from set-pieces. Benkovic scored two goals while on loan at Celtic last season and he also scored four goals for Dinamo Zagreb the season before. Hence, he should be a really handy customer to have during dead-ball situations.
Verdict
Benkovic is a very promising defender and has the required attributes to thrive in the Championship. All in all, the Croatian could be an excellent signing for Cocu’s Derby side.
Enough is enough: Leicester would be quite wise to offload £13m outcast in January
by Rohan Sengupta
Why Leicester must cash in on Nampalys Mendy in the January window
According to French publication Le 10 Sport (h/t The Leicester Mercury), Leicester City midfielder Nampalys Mendy is attracting interest from a number of European clubs, including Fenerbahce.
The Frenchman, 27, joined the Foxes for a fee of £13m from OGC Nice in 2016 and has found himself frozen out of the first-team picture under Brendan Rodgers this season. His only appearance this season came away at Bramall Lane for Leicester’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United.
Leicester will be keen to cash in on Nampalys Mendy, whose contract expires at the end of the season, the report adds. (h/t The Leicester Mercury)
The Foxes are flying in the Premier League under Rodgers and sit comfortably at 2nd place in the table, although 10 points behind leaders Liverpool. Rodgers has done a fantastic job at the King Power Stadium since replacing Claude Puel in the second half of last term, transforming a possession-based Leicester side to a free-flowing, attacking juggernaut.
Meanwhile, Nampalys Mendy, who has been at the club for more than three years now, has struggled to get game time this season, having made just one appearance so far.
With Rodgers increasingly preferring Wilfred Ndidi, James Maddison and Youri Tielemans in his team’s engine room, Mendy has found himself out of the side. A regular under Puel for the Foxes last season, the French midfielder managed 31 league appearances.
With Turkish giants Fenerbahce interested in signing him in January, Leicester must capitalise on this opportunity and sell Mendy as he is of no use to Rodgers at the moment. Moreover, sitting on the fringes may dampen the French midfielder’s spirits, having made 140 appearances for AS Monaco and OGC Nice combined.
Verdict
Having spent this entire season out of the team, it would be better if the Foxes cash in on him rather than keeping him for no reason at all.
At the age of 27, Mendy is perhaps entering the prime years of his career and needs regular game time, something he isn’t getting at Leicester. With the Frenchman’s contract expiring in the summer, it would be wise from the Foxes’ point of view to offload him in January than paying his wages for the entire season.
by Rohan Sengupta
Why Leicester must cash in on Nampalys Mendy in the January window
According to French publication Le 10 Sport (h/t The Leicester Mercury), Leicester City midfielder Nampalys Mendy is attracting interest from a number of European clubs, including Fenerbahce.
The Frenchman, 27, joined the Foxes for a fee of £13m from OGC Nice in 2016 and has found himself frozen out of the first-team picture under Brendan Rodgers this season. His only appearance this season came away at Bramall Lane for Leicester’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United.
Leicester will be keen to cash in on Nampalys Mendy, whose contract expires at the end of the season, the report adds. (h/t The Leicester Mercury)
The Foxes are flying in the Premier League under Rodgers and sit comfortably at 2nd place in the table, although 10 points behind leaders Liverpool. Rodgers has done a fantastic job at the King Power Stadium since replacing Claude Puel in the second half of last term, transforming a possession-based Leicester side to a free-flowing, attacking juggernaut.
Meanwhile, Nampalys Mendy, who has been at the club for more than three years now, has struggled to get game time this season, having made just one appearance so far.
With Rodgers increasingly preferring Wilfred Ndidi, James Maddison and Youri Tielemans in his team’s engine room, Mendy has found himself out of the side. A regular under Puel for the Foxes last season, the French midfielder managed 31 league appearances.
With Turkish giants Fenerbahce interested in signing him in January, Leicester must capitalise on this opportunity and sell Mendy as he is of no use to Rodgers at the moment. Moreover, sitting on the fringes may dampen the French midfielder’s spirits, having made 140 appearances for AS Monaco and OGC Nice combined.
Verdict
Having spent this entire season out of the team, it would be better if the Foxes cash in on him rather than keeping him for no reason at all.
At the age of 27, Mendy is perhaps entering the prime years of his career and needs regular game time, something he isn’t getting at Leicester. With the Frenchman’s contract expiring in the summer, it would be wise from the Foxes’ point of view to offload him in January than paying his wages for the entire season.
Leicester signing this immense 27-year-old La Liga star would make them unbreachable
by Rohan Sengupta
Why Djene Dakonam would be a fantastic signing for Leicester City Back in August,
Spanish media outlet Marca (h/t The Leicester Mercury) had claimed that Leicester City were interested in signing Getafe’s Djene Dakonam as a replacement for Harry Maguire. However, no deal materialised and he stayed put at the Spanish club.
Djene Dakonam, 27, was a key figure for Jose Bordalas’ side as they secured Europa League qualification in the 2018-19 season. Getafe had the joint third-best defensive record last season, with the Togolese playing a pivotal role. The 27-year-old has hit the ground running in the 2019/20 season as well, managing 16 league appearances till date.
With Dakonam enjoying another impressive La Liga season, Leicester City must renew their interest in the defender when the transfer window reopens next month.
If Leicester were beaten all ends by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, they were crushed by Premier League leaders Liverpool on Boxing Day. The high-flying Foxes were given a reality check by two of England’s best teams, showcasing how far Brendan Rodgers’ side have to go to match the very best in the division.
One issue which needs to be solved above any other is Leicester’s defence, despite the centre-back partnership of Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu working very well this campaign. Evans has been very consistent at the back, while Soyuncu has stepped up following Maguire’s departure before the start of this season.
But with veteran Wes Morgan in the final year of his contract and young Filip Benkovic attracting interest from Championship side Derby County (h/t The Leicester Mercury), the Foxes need defensive reinforcements. Having said that, Rodgers should make a move for Djene Dakonam.
Djene burst onto the scene with an outstanding 2018/19 season in La Liga, as he was one of the best defenders in the division. The late-blooming Togolese is a versatile player as he can play as a central defender, right-back as well as a central defensive midfielder if required. He is quick on his feet, a decisive tackler and an astute reader of the game.
As per WhoScored, the Dapaong-born defender has made 16 La Liga appearances this season, mustering 1.1 tackles, 0.6 interceptions and 3.1 clearances per game on an average. In the video below, one could get a glimpse of Djene’s style of play and the qualities he’ll bring to Leicester if a move goes through.
Verdict
At the age of 27, the Togo international has perhaps entered the prime stages of his career and he would be a smart addition to Leicester’s backline.
by Rohan Sengupta
Why Djene Dakonam would be a fantastic signing for Leicester City Back in August,
Spanish media outlet Marca (h/t The Leicester Mercury) had claimed that Leicester City were interested in signing Getafe’s Djene Dakonam as a replacement for Harry Maguire. However, no deal materialised and he stayed put at the Spanish club.
Djene Dakonam, 27, was a key figure for Jose Bordalas’ side as they secured Europa League qualification in the 2018-19 season. Getafe had the joint third-best defensive record last season, with the Togolese playing a pivotal role. The 27-year-old has hit the ground running in the 2019/20 season as well, managing 16 league appearances till date.
With Dakonam enjoying another impressive La Liga season, Leicester City must renew their interest in the defender when the transfer window reopens next month.
If Leicester were beaten all ends by Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, they were crushed by Premier League leaders Liverpool on Boxing Day. The high-flying Foxes were given a reality check by two of England’s best teams, showcasing how far Brendan Rodgers’ side have to go to match the very best in the division.
One issue which needs to be solved above any other is Leicester’s defence, despite the centre-back partnership of Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu working very well this campaign. Evans has been very consistent at the back, while Soyuncu has stepped up following Maguire’s departure before the start of this season.
But with veteran Wes Morgan in the final year of his contract and young Filip Benkovic attracting interest from Championship side Derby County (h/t The Leicester Mercury), the Foxes need defensive reinforcements. Having said that, Rodgers should make a move for Djene Dakonam.
Djene burst onto the scene with an outstanding 2018/19 season in La Liga, as he was one of the best defenders in the division. The late-blooming Togolese is a versatile player as he can play as a central defender, right-back as well as a central defensive midfielder if required. He is quick on his feet, a decisive tackler and an astute reader of the game.
As per WhoScored, the Dapaong-born defender has made 16 La Liga appearances this season, mustering 1.1 tackles, 0.6 interceptions and 3.1 clearances per game on an average. In the video below, one could get a glimpse of Djene’s style of play and the qualities he’ll bring to Leicester if a move goes through.
Verdict
At the age of 27, the Togo international has perhaps entered the prime stages of his career and he would be a smart addition to Leicester’s backline.
Leicester signing this solid £25m Burnley star would be outstanding business by Rodgers
by Rohan Sengupta
Why Leicester City should go all out to sign James Tarkowski in January
According to the Express (h/t Leicester Mercury), Leicester City were linked with Burnley defender James Tarkowski in the summer window and could land him for £25m due to a strange clause.
James Tarkowski, 27, has a £40m release clause, however, the clause is only applicable to clubs from the North-West, presumably to cover a move from one of the Manchester giants, or perhaps Liverpool. As Leicester City are in the Midlands, the clause would only cover to £25m. (h/t the Leicester Mercury),
The 27-year-old defender has played in all 18 of Burnley’s league outings so far this season (at the time of writing). Tarkowski, who is under contract at Turf Moor until 2022, has been one of the Premier League’s most consistent defenders over the last two years and is also an England international now.
James Tarkowski has been a rock at the back for Burnley over the last couple of seasons. (Getty Images)The Foxes tried to bring in a new centre-half at the end of the summer window after selling Harry Maguire to Manchester United. (h/t the Leicester Mercury)
But despite having the best part of £80m to play with, thanks to Maguire’s departure, City couldn’t bring in a centre-half before the transfer window slammed shut.
Jonny Evans has been a rock at the back, admirably marshalling his troops this term. And although Caglar Soyuncu has successfully filled Maguire’s boots, Brendan Rodgers should prioritise signing a centre-half in January.
Tarkowski would be a fantastic addition for Leicester (Getty Images)With Wes Morgan’s contract up next summer, City must splash the cash on an experienced defender. In that regard, Tarkowski could be a smart addition to Leicester’s back line.
Tarkowski has played in Burnley’s 18 Premier League games so far this season, getting 1 goal and 1 assist. During that time, the English defender has averaged 1.6 tackles, 2.1 interceptions, 5.1 clearances and 1 block per game, with Burnley having conceded 29 goals. [WhoScored.com] Quick, no-nonsense and combative, Tarkowski could form a fearsome partnership with Soyuncu for years to come at the King Power Stadium.
Verdict
Rodgers’ Leicester side is looking in great shape to make a sustained challenge for the top four and adding someone in the mould of Tarkowski in January would only enhance that. (Note: This article was written before the Boxing Day fixtures)
by Rohan Sengupta
Why Leicester City should go all out to sign James Tarkowski in January
According to the Express (h/t Leicester Mercury), Leicester City were linked with Burnley defender James Tarkowski in the summer window and could land him for £25m due to a strange clause.
James Tarkowski, 27, has a £40m release clause, however, the clause is only applicable to clubs from the North-West, presumably to cover a move from one of the Manchester giants, or perhaps Liverpool. As Leicester City are in the Midlands, the clause would only cover to £25m. (h/t the Leicester Mercury),
The 27-year-old defender has played in all 18 of Burnley’s league outings so far this season (at the time of writing). Tarkowski, who is under contract at Turf Moor until 2022, has been one of the Premier League’s most consistent defenders over the last two years and is also an England international now.
James Tarkowski has been a rock at the back for Burnley over the last couple of seasons. (Getty Images)The Foxes tried to bring in a new centre-half at the end of the summer window after selling Harry Maguire to Manchester United. (h/t the Leicester Mercury)
But despite having the best part of £80m to play with, thanks to Maguire’s departure, City couldn’t bring in a centre-half before the transfer window slammed shut.
Jonny Evans has been a rock at the back, admirably marshalling his troops this term. And although Caglar Soyuncu has successfully filled Maguire’s boots, Brendan Rodgers should prioritise signing a centre-half in January.
Tarkowski would be a fantastic addition for Leicester (Getty Images)With Wes Morgan’s contract up next summer, City must splash the cash on an experienced defender. In that regard, Tarkowski could be a smart addition to Leicester’s back line.
Tarkowski has played in Burnley’s 18 Premier League games so far this season, getting 1 goal and 1 assist. During that time, the English defender has averaged 1.6 tackles, 2.1 interceptions, 5.1 clearances and 1 block per game, with Burnley having conceded 29 goals. [WhoScored.com] Quick, no-nonsense and combative, Tarkowski could form a fearsome partnership with Soyuncu for years to come at the King Power Stadium.
Verdict
Rodgers’ Leicester side is looking in great shape to make a sustained challenge for the top four and adding someone in the mould of Tarkowski in January would only enhance that. (Note: This article was written before the Boxing Day fixtures)
Leicester signing this 16-goal Championship star for £10m could be the steal of the season
by Siddharth Suresh
Why Bowen could be the perfect replacement for Vardy at LeicesterAccording to the Sunday Mirror (h/t Leicestershire Live),
Leicester City are in pole position to sign Hull City ace Jarrod Bowen. The Foxes seem to be ahead of Leeds United, Newcastle and Southampton in the chase for the Hull City winger, who is rated at around £10million, according to Sunday Mirror (h/t Leicestershire Live).
The 22-year-old is in sensational form, having scored 16 goals from 22 games in the Championship this season. His recent impressive displays even won him the Championship player of the month award last month, signifying his importance in the Hull squad. However, his team has struggled this season, with the side languishing at the bottom half of the table in 14th place. Having scored the majority of his side’s 34 goals this season, it is no big surprise that Leicester are on the lookout for the in-form forward.
Bowen, who joined Hull City in 2014, began his career in the youth ranks at Hereford and soon rose to prominence, later establishing himself as a regular within the senior side. Leicester, meanwhile, are on an impressive run-of-form as they lie second in the league table behind leaders Liverpool by 10 points. All has been well so far for the Foxes, who under new manager Brendan Rodgers seemed to have ticked well in all departments.
Also, the form of veteran striker Jamie Vardy has been one of the major reasons for their eye-catching displays this season. The Englishman is on a goal-scoring spree and is currently the league’s highest goal-scorer with 16 goals in 17 games. Though he seems to be scoring goals for fun even at this age, it does not make him any younger, as he is already 32. A dip in form or an injury to their in-form man is all that is needed to change the whole scenario and put the Foxes in a spot of bother.
Rodgers has Kelechi Iheanacho also in his ranks and the youngster has been on target when called upon. However, he is not as consistent as Vardy and has not proved to be entirely reliable. Hence, Leicester need someone apart from Vardy, who could score goals on a regular basis and win them matches. Bowen would be perfect to play that role. The young Englishman was on target 22 times in the league last season, improving his own tally of 15 from the 2017-18 campaign.
Predominantly a winger, Bowen is comfortable playing anywhere in the attack and could at times be used as an attacking midfielder too.
Verdict
With Vardy already past his thirties, Leicester are in dire need of a prolific goal-scorer in their ranks. In Bowen, the Foxes would have a perfect replacement for their star striker. Bowen could prove to be a major hit like Vardy, who also came up from the lower divisions to become a potent strike-force later in his career.
by Siddharth Suresh
Why Bowen could be the perfect replacement for Vardy at LeicesterAccording to the Sunday Mirror (h/t Leicestershire Live),
Leicester City are in pole position to sign Hull City ace Jarrod Bowen. The Foxes seem to be ahead of Leeds United, Newcastle and Southampton in the chase for the Hull City winger, who is rated at around £10million, according to Sunday Mirror (h/t Leicestershire Live).
The 22-year-old is in sensational form, having scored 16 goals from 22 games in the Championship this season. His recent impressive displays even won him the Championship player of the month award last month, signifying his importance in the Hull squad. However, his team has struggled this season, with the side languishing at the bottom half of the table in 14th place. Having scored the majority of his side’s 34 goals this season, it is no big surprise that Leicester are on the lookout for the in-form forward.
Bowen, who joined Hull City in 2014, began his career in the youth ranks at Hereford and soon rose to prominence, later establishing himself as a regular within the senior side. Leicester, meanwhile, are on an impressive run-of-form as they lie second in the league table behind leaders Liverpool by 10 points. All has been well so far for the Foxes, who under new manager Brendan Rodgers seemed to have ticked well in all departments.
Also, the form of veteran striker Jamie Vardy has been one of the major reasons for their eye-catching displays this season. The Englishman is on a goal-scoring spree and is currently the league’s highest goal-scorer with 16 goals in 17 games. Though he seems to be scoring goals for fun even at this age, it does not make him any younger, as he is already 32. A dip in form or an injury to their in-form man is all that is needed to change the whole scenario and put the Foxes in a spot of bother.
Rodgers has Kelechi Iheanacho also in his ranks and the youngster has been on target when called upon. However, he is not as consistent as Vardy and has not proved to be entirely reliable. Hence, Leicester need someone apart from Vardy, who could score goals on a regular basis and win them matches. Bowen would be perfect to play that role. The young Englishman was on target 22 times in the league last season, improving his own tally of 15 from the 2017-18 campaign.
Predominantly a winger, Bowen is comfortable playing anywhere in the attack and could at times be used as an attacking midfielder too.
Verdict
With Vardy already past his thirties, Leicester are in dire need of a prolific goal-scorer in their ranks. In Bowen, the Foxes would have a perfect replacement for their star striker. Bowen could prove to be a major hit like Vardy, who also came up from the lower divisions to become a potent strike-force later in his career.
Leicester City retaining this £19m star would be key to maintaining depth in this key position
by Rohan Sengupta
Why Leicester City must retain Dennis Praet despite interestAccording to Italian media outlet Corriere dello Sport (h/t The Leicester Mercury),
Dennis Praet is being linked with Serie A club Fiorentina. Dennis Praet, 25, only joined Leicester City from Sampdoria in a £19million deal during the past summer. The creative midfielder has made 14 appearances in all competitions for City this season and is yet to score but he has provided two assists. The report (h/t The Leicester Mercury) claims that Praet and Inter Milan’s Matteo Politano are Fiorentina’s January targets but it would be difficult to convince the Leicester City midfielder to leave.
Dennis Praet of Leicester City looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge. (Getty Images)Leicester, meanwhile, are flying in the Premier League. Brendan Rodgers has done an excellent job at the King Power Stadium by building an exciting team that is a mixture of young talents and experienced heads. He was rightly rewarded with a new contract last week after a brilliant start to the season.
Jamie Vardy has benefited massively under Rodgers’ guidance but this Leicester side is more than Vardy and the creative James Maddison. The likes of Wilfred Ndidi, Youri Tielemans, Caglar Soyuncu and Ricardo Pereira have performed exceptionally well so far. As far as Praet is concerned, according to WhoScored.com, the Belgian registered an 87% pass success rate against Aston Villa, whilst completing two dribbles during his 76 minutes on the field. He also bagged his first assist in the league – Vardy’s second and City’s fourth of the game.
Jonny Evans of Leicester City celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Leicester City at Villa Park. (Getty Images)Praet has taken some time to adapt to the demands of English football but he is slowly providing the Foxes attack with a different dimension.
Verdict
At 25, Praet has a long way to go to fulfil his potential and Leicester will be making a humungous mistake by letting him go. The Belgian midfielder’s performances in his 14 appearances in the Premier League shouldn’t go unnoticed by Rodgers. Thus, City should do everything possible to keep hold of him in January amidst Fiorentina interest.
by Rohan Sengupta
Why Leicester City must retain Dennis Praet despite interestAccording to Italian media outlet Corriere dello Sport (h/t The Leicester Mercury),
Dennis Praet is being linked with Serie A club Fiorentina. Dennis Praet, 25, only joined Leicester City from Sampdoria in a £19million deal during the past summer. The creative midfielder has made 14 appearances in all competitions for City this season and is yet to score but he has provided two assists. The report (h/t The Leicester Mercury) claims that Praet and Inter Milan’s Matteo Politano are Fiorentina’s January targets but it would be difficult to convince the Leicester City midfielder to leave.
Dennis Praet of Leicester City looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge. (Getty Images)Leicester, meanwhile, are flying in the Premier League. Brendan Rodgers has done an excellent job at the King Power Stadium by building an exciting team that is a mixture of young talents and experienced heads. He was rightly rewarded with a new contract last week after a brilliant start to the season.
Jamie Vardy has benefited massively under Rodgers’ guidance but this Leicester side is more than Vardy and the creative James Maddison. The likes of Wilfred Ndidi, Youri Tielemans, Caglar Soyuncu and Ricardo Pereira have performed exceptionally well so far. As far as Praet is concerned, according to WhoScored.com, the Belgian registered an 87% pass success rate against Aston Villa, whilst completing two dribbles during his 76 minutes on the field. He also bagged his first assist in the league – Vardy’s second and City’s fourth of the game.
Jonny Evans of Leicester City celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Leicester City at Villa Park. (Getty Images)Praet has taken some time to adapt to the demands of English football but he is slowly providing the Foxes attack with a different dimension.
Verdict
At 25, Praet has a long way to go to fulfil his potential and Leicester will be making a humungous mistake by letting him go. The Belgian midfielder’s performances in his 14 appearances in the Premier League shouldn’t go unnoticed by Rodgers. Thus, City should do everything possible to keep hold of him in January amidst Fiorentina interest.
Leicester’s new deal for their 23-year-old star duo is a massive statement of intent
by Indhrajit James
Why Leicester’s new deal for Maddison and Soyuncu is a statementLeicestershire Live has revealed that Leicester City are lining up new deals for their star players James Maddison and Caglar Soyuncu.
After the boss Brendan Rodgers had agreed to commit his future with the Foxes, the report suggests that Leicester City have opened early negotiations with Turkey international Soyuncu. The report also claims that preliminary talks with Maddison over his future began last month amidst interest from Manchester United.
Maddison and Soyuncu have risen to the occasion at the right time for Brendan Rodgers, whose side are currently 2nd in the league. They have lost just two matches in the Premier League this term and are flying high with success. England midfielder Maddison has been their playmaker. This season, he has improved a lot under Rodgers with the ability to track back as well when needed. Predominantly an attacking player, he has done justice in central midfield alongside Youri Tielemans, Hamza Choudhry and Wilfred Ndidi. His performance also earned him a call to the England squad by Gareth Southgate.
James Maddison (Getty Images)On the other hand, Caglar Soyuncu has left everyone in wonder with the fact that he has not left the Foxes to think about the void left by Harry Maguire. From being a fourth-choice to becoming the backbone of Leicester’s defence alongside Jonny Evans, Soyuncu has repaid Rodgers’ trust in him. The Turkey international has been solid for Leicester City, who boast of their best defensive record in the league this term, along with veteran Jonny Evans.
The Foxes have conceded just 10 times in their 16 games, which is also one of the major factors for their success apart from Jamie Vardy’s goalscoring prowess. With a new contract for these two youngsters, Leicester can be assured of their quality for many years to come. And given the way Rodgers has led them brilliantly, the Foxes show no sign of being a mid-table team.
Maddison and Soyuncu, who are both just 23, have a lot to offer in terms of quality and they can soon establish themselves as the best in their respective positions if they continue to perform at a higher level. Soyuncu has made 88 clearances this term, which is better than Virgil Van Dijk (86) and Harry Maguire (69), and his numbers show that he can get better with experience in the Premier League. On the other hand, Maddison’s 119 crosses put him 4th on the list.
Verdict
Leicester City have made a brave decision to tie down their star players and this would come as a sign of warning for their Premier League rivals. The Foxes, under Rodgers, are already thriving and by this, they can go on to become a stronger force to reckon with in the future.
by Indhrajit James
Why Leicester’s new deal for Maddison and Soyuncu is a statementLeicestershire Live has revealed that Leicester City are lining up new deals for their star players James Maddison and Caglar Soyuncu.
After the boss Brendan Rodgers had agreed to commit his future with the Foxes, the report suggests that Leicester City have opened early negotiations with Turkey international Soyuncu. The report also claims that preliminary talks with Maddison over his future began last month amidst interest from Manchester United.
Maddison and Soyuncu have risen to the occasion at the right time for Brendan Rodgers, whose side are currently 2nd in the league. They have lost just two matches in the Premier League this term and are flying high with success. England midfielder Maddison has been their playmaker. This season, he has improved a lot under Rodgers with the ability to track back as well when needed. Predominantly an attacking player, he has done justice in central midfield alongside Youri Tielemans, Hamza Choudhry and Wilfred Ndidi. His performance also earned him a call to the England squad by Gareth Southgate.
James Maddison (Getty Images)On the other hand, Caglar Soyuncu has left everyone in wonder with the fact that he has not left the Foxes to think about the void left by Harry Maguire. From being a fourth-choice to becoming the backbone of Leicester’s defence alongside Jonny Evans, Soyuncu has repaid Rodgers’ trust in him. The Turkey international has been solid for Leicester City, who boast of their best defensive record in the league this term, along with veteran Jonny Evans.
The Foxes have conceded just 10 times in their 16 games, which is also one of the major factors for their success apart from Jamie Vardy’s goalscoring prowess. With a new contract for these two youngsters, Leicester can be assured of their quality for many years to come. And given the way Rodgers has led them brilliantly, the Foxes show no sign of being a mid-table team.
Maddison and Soyuncu, who are both just 23, have a lot to offer in terms of quality and they can soon establish themselves as the best in their respective positions if they continue to perform at a higher level. Soyuncu has made 88 clearances this term, which is better than Virgil Van Dijk (86) and Harry Maguire (69), and his numbers show that he can get better with experience in the Premier League. On the other hand, Maddison’s 119 crosses put him 4th on the list.
Verdict
Leicester City have made a brave decision to tie down their star players and this would come as a sign of warning for their Premier League rivals. The Foxes, under Rodgers, are already thriving and by this, they can go on to become a stronger force to reckon with in the future.
Leicester signing this prolific 10-goal star would offer them a different option in the attack
by Siddharth Suresh
Why signing Muriqi could offer Leicester more options in attackAccording to Turkish outlet HaberGlobal, via Sport Witness (h/t Leicester Mercury),
Leicester City are interested in Fenerbahce striker Vedat Muriqi. The high-flying Foxes, who are currently playing some terrific football under manager Brendan Rodgers had sent scouts to Istanbul to watch the Kosovan international in action. Muriqi did not disappoint as he won accolades scoring a brace in his side’s 5-2 defeat of Genclerbirligi in the Turkish Super Lig on Friday night.
The striker has been in sensational form this season, scoring 10 goals from 13 appearances for the fifth-placed Fenerbahce, whom he joined last summer from Caykur Rizespor. With 9 goals to his name, the 25-year old Muriqi is the league’s joint top-scorer alongside three others. Muriqi’s superb displays this season has caught the attention of other clubs such as AS Monaco and Eintracht Frankfurt, who had also sent scouts to Istanbul to watch the man in form, the report added.
Meanwhile, Leicester could also face stiff competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United, who had scouted the forward back in September, the report claims.
Leicester are in sensational form, having won all of their last eight league matches. It has been a smooth ride so far for Rodgers and his team, who sit second in the table with 12 wins from an overall 16 league games.
The team has clicked in all departments, especially in front of the goal, with star striker Jamie Vardy in the form of his life. The veteran English striker is the league’s leading goalscorer with 16 goals. Though his recent performances have been top-notch this season, it does not make him any younger. He is already 32 and Leicester need a suitable replacement for the talismanic finisher if they are to compete at the highest level in the coming future. Hence, Leicester’s interest in prolific goal-scorer Muriqi does not come as a surprise.
Also, Leicester have just one backup striker in their ranks – Kelechi Iheanacho. Vardy’s match-winning displays in the attack have often restricted the youngster to the benches this season. However, Rodgers offered him a chance recently and the 23-year old has repaid his managers’ faith in him by scoring consecutively in the matches he started.
Since being offered a chance, he has hit the target twice from as many games, and has also contributed with 2 assists. However, a dip in form or an injury could alter the course of Foxes’ future, which at the moment seems to be ticking perfectly. The in-form Muriqi has been equally brilliant for his national side, scoring 6 times from 12 appearances this year. He has a total of 8 goals from 23 games he has played so far.
Muriqi’s 6ft 4in frame makes him a powerful presence. Blessed with good aerial finishing, the Kosovan could offer Rodgers’ Foxes, who play a fast counter-attacking game, more options in front of goal. For a side that is quite strong in the final third, Muriqi’s link-up play would open up more chances for others in the attack to score.
VerdictIn
Muriqi, Leicester have a suitable future replacement for old guard Vardy. Moreover, with Iheanacho still developing, it would be immensely beneficial for the Foxes if they sign the in-form Kosovan.
by Siddharth Suresh
Why signing Muriqi could offer Leicester more options in attackAccording to Turkish outlet HaberGlobal, via Sport Witness (h/t Leicester Mercury),
Leicester City are interested in Fenerbahce striker Vedat Muriqi. The high-flying Foxes, who are currently playing some terrific football under manager Brendan Rodgers had sent scouts to Istanbul to watch the Kosovan international in action. Muriqi did not disappoint as he won accolades scoring a brace in his side’s 5-2 defeat of Genclerbirligi in the Turkish Super Lig on Friday night.
The striker has been in sensational form this season, scoring 10 goals from 13 appearances for the fifth-placed Fenerbahce, whom he joined last summer from Caykur Rizespor. With 9 goals to his name, the 25-year old Muriqi is the league’s joint top-scorer alongside three others. Muriqi’s superb displays this season has caught the attention of other clubs such as AS Monaco and Eintracht Frankfurt, who had also sent scouts to Istanbul to watch the man in form, the report added.
Meanwhile, Leicester could also face stiff competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United, who had scouted the forward back in September, the report claims.
Leicester are in sensational form, having won all of their last eight league matches. It has been a smooth ride so far for Rodgers and his team, who sit second in the table with 12 wins from an overall 16 league games.
The team has clicked in all departments, especially in front of the goal, with star striker Jamie Vardy in the form of his life. The veteran English striker is the league’s leading goalscorer with 16 goals. Though his recent performances have been top-notch this season, it does not make him any younger. He is already 32 and Leicester need a suitable replacement for the talismanic finisher if they are to compete at the highest level in the coming future. Hence, Leicester’s interest in prolific goal-scorer Muriqi does not come as a surprise.
Also, Leicester have just one backup striker in their ranks – Kelechi Iheanacho. Vardy’s match-winning displays in the attack have often restricted the youngster to the benches this season. However, Rodgers offered him a chance recently and the 23-year old has repaid his managers’ faith in him by scoring consecutively in the matches he started.
Since being offered a chance, he has hit the target twice from as many games, and has also contributed with 2 assists. However, a dip in form or an injury could alter the course of Foxes’ future, which at the moment seems to be ticking perfectly. The in-form Muriqi has been equally brilliant for his national side, scoring 6 times from 12 appearances this year. He has a total of 8 goals from 23 games he has played so far.
Muriqi’s 6ft 4in frame makes him a powerful presence. Blessed with good aerial finishing, the Kosovan could offer Rodgers’ Foxes, who play a fast counter-attacking game, more options in front of goal. For a side that is quite strong in the final third, Muriqi’s link-up play would open up more chances for others in the attack to score.
VerdictIn
Muriqi, Leicester have a suitable future replacement for old guard Vardy. Moreover, with Iheanacho still developing, it would be immensely beneficial for the Foxes if they sign the in-form Kosovan.
Forget it Rodgers – Leicester would be better off dodging this in-form 6-goal bullet
by Sayan Chatterjee
Why Leicester City should look at better players than Macauley BonneAccording to talkSPORT (h/t Leicestershire Live),
Leicester City have been credited with an interest in Charlton striker Macauley Bonne, who has been in fine form for the Addicks in the Championship in recent times.
Premier League rivals Newcastle United, as well as Championship promotion-hopefuls Fulham, have also been mentioned among the potential suitors for the 24-year-old, who only earned himself a move to the second-tier with Charlton this past summer. (talkSPORT h/t Leicestershire Live)
The Ipswich-born striker, who fired Leyton Orient back into the Football League system with a 23-goal haul in the National League last season, initially found regular minutes hard to come by in the Championship but he has proven his worth with a flurry of top-drawer displays in recent weeks.
Despite Charlton’s lacklustre run of form in the second-tier over the past three months, Bonne has been one of the brightest sparks and found the net in each of the Addicks’ four fixtures against Fulham, Derby County, Bristol City and West Brom back in October. That was followed by a goalless streak of four games before the 2-cap Zimbabwean international returned to scoring ways with a goal in the 3-1 defeat at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday. Bonne currently boasts of an impressive tally of 6 goals and an assist in 14 Championship appearances.
Meanwhile, Leicester City registered their eighth straight win in the Premier League with a 4-1 drubbing of Aston Villa on Sunday to finish gameweek 16 placed second in the standings, eight points behind undisputed pace-setters Liverpool. Currently 14 points clear of fifth-placed Man United, it might be too early to make a call but Leicester look as if they have already done enough to guarantee themselves a Champions League spot for the upcoming season, and a decent run of results in the second half of the campaign could be enough for them to seal a return to the continental stage.
Having said that, a tally of 39 goals scored and just 10 conceded in the process is a clear reflection of the kind of massive progress that the Foxes have made under Rodgers this term, and Leicester aren’t really one of those clubs who need to make wholesale changes to their squad in January. To put things into perspective, Leicester City’s interest in Macauley Bonne doesn’t look all that impressive, given that the Foxes aren’t really crying out for a new striker at the moment. The Zimbabwean doesn’t look like a substantial upgrade on the club’s existing options up top.
Jamie Vardy is currently the top scorer in the Premier League with 16 goals in 16 games following a blistering start to the campaign while Kelechi Iheanacho has also stepped up in recent weeks to chip in with valuable strikes against Everton and Aston Villa. Ayoze Perez continues to be a handy utility player for Rodgers with his versatility to play on either flank and also through the middle, ensuring valuable cover for the manager in multiple areas of the pitch.
Bonne has bagged 6 goals in 14 Championship appearances for Charlton Athletic this term (Getty Images)Looking at Bonne’s CV, the Zimbabwean is only just playing his first season in the Championship, having previously featured for the likes of Colchester United, Leyton Orient Lincoln City and Woking in the lower echelons of English football.
Indeed, the 24-year-old has caught the eye with his impressive step up to the second-tier this term but it is imperative to say that there is a lot of difference between racking up the goals in the Championship and cutting the mustard in the Premier League.
Verdict
With all due respect to Bonne’s credentials, he isn’t really the player that Leicester City should be looking at in January, particularly when they are soaring high atop the standings and planning for life in the Champions League next year. In footballing terms, Iheanacho and Perez are more than capable of providing cover and competition for Vardy, and even if Rodgers feels that he really needs to bring in another striker to add another dimension to his attack, there are far better options available than Macauley Bonne, who was only playing non-league football last season.
That’s not to play down the quality of non-league football and it’s always wise not to do that, with Jamie Vardy a prime example of a non-league rookie turning into a Premier League icon. However, Bonne needs to prove his mettle in the Championship over a longer duration of time to warrant a move to a club like Leicester.
by Sayan Chatterjee
Why Leicester City should look at better players than Macauley BonneAccording to talkSPORT (h/t Leicestershire Live),
Leicester City have been credited with an interest in Charlton striker Macauley Bonne, who has been in fine form for the Addicks in the Championship in recent times.
Premier League rivals Newcastle United, as well as Championship promotion-hopefuls Fulham, have also been mentioned among the potential suitors for the 24-year-old, who only earned himself a move to the second-tier with Charlton this past summer. (talkSPORT h/t Leicestershire Live)
The Ipswich-born striker, who fired Leyton Orient back into the Football League system with a 23-goal haul in the National League last season, initially found regular minutes hard to come by in the Championship but he has proven his worth with a flurry of top-drawer displays in recent weeks.
Despite Charlton’s lacklustre run of form in the second-tier over the past three months, Bonne has been one of the brightest sparks and found the net in each of the Addicks’ four fixtures against Fulham, Derby County, Bristol City and West Brom back in October. That was followed by a goalless streak of four games before the 2-cap Zimbabwean international returned to scoring ways with a goal in the 3-1 defeat at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday. Bonne currently boasts of an impressive tally of 6 goals and an assist in 14 Championship appearances.
Meanwhile, Leicester City registered their eighth straight win in the Premier League with a 4-1 drubbing of Aston Villa on Sunday to finish gameweek 16 placed second in the standings, eight points behind undisputed pace-setters Liverpool. Currently 14 points clear of fifth-placed Man United, it might be too early to make a call but Leicester look as if they have already done enough to guarantee themselves a Champions League spot for the upcoming season, and a decent run of results in the second half of the campaign could be enough for them to seal a return to the continental stage.
Having said that, a tally of 39 goals scored and just 10 conceded in the process is a clear reflection of the kind of massive progress that the Foxes have made under Rodgers this term, and Leicester aren’t really one of those clubs who need to make wholesale changes to their squad in January. To put things into perspective, Leicester City’s interest in Macauley Bonne doesn’t look all that impressive, given that the Foxes aren’t really crying out for a new striker at the moment. The Zimbabwean doesn’t look like a substantial upgrade on the club’s existing options up top.
Jamie Vardy is currently the top scorer in the Premier League with 16 goals in 16 games following a blistering start to the campaign while Kelechi Iheanacho has also stepped up in recent weeks to chip in with valuable strikes against Everton and Aston Villa. Ayoze Perez continues to be a handy utility player for Rodgers with his versatility to play on either flank and also through the middle, ensuring valuable cover for the manager in multiple areas of the pitch.
Bonne has bagged 6 goals in 14 Championship appearances for Charlton Athletic this term (Getty Images)Looking at Bonne’s CV, the Zimbabwean is only just playing his first season in the Championship, having previously featured for the likes of Colchester United, Leyton Orient Lincoln City and Woking in the lower echelons of English football.
Indeed, the 24-year-old has caught the eye with his impressive step up to the second-tier this term but it is imperative to say that there is a lot of difference between racking up the goals in the Championship and cutting the mustard in the Premier League.
Verdict
With all due respect to Bonne’s credentials, he isn’t really the player that Leicester City should be looking at in January, particularly when they are soaring high atop the standings and planning for life in the Champions League next year. In footballing terms, Iheanacho and Perez are more than capable of providing cover and competition for Vardy, and even if Rodgers feels that he really needs to bring in another striker to add another dimension to his attack, there are far better options available than Macauley Bonne, who was only playing non-league football last season.
That’s not to play down the quality of non-league football and it’s always wise not to do that, with Jamie Vardy a prime example of a non-league rookie turning into a Premier League icon. However, Bonne needs to prove his mettle in the Championship over a longer duration of time to warrant a move to a club like Leicester.
Leicester signing this on-loan Arsenal outcast would add some much-needed depth in a key area
by Siddharth Suresh
Why Arsenal’s Elneny would be a great addition for Leicester CityAccording to Turkish outlet Sozcu via Sport Witness (h/t Football London),
Leicester City are eyeing a move for Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny. The Foxes, who intend to sign Elneny at the end of this season, meanwhile, face stiff competition from Valencia and Besiktas, where the defensive midfielder is currently on a season-long loan from Arsenal.
Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny. (Getty Images)The 27-year-old, who fell out of favour with former Arsenal boss Unai Emery has been impressive since making his switch to the Turkish side. He has featured in 13 games so far for the Black Eagles. Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester, on the other hand, are on cloud nine as they sit comfortably at second place in the Premier League table, with 12 wins from 16 games.
Leicester have looked excellent under Rodgers this season, with the team clicking in all departments. One of the key players for Rodgers this season has been defensive midfielder Wilfred Ndidi. The Nigerian has made 69 successful tackles this season already, which is the second-best tally in the league only behind teammate Ricardo Pereira. His commanding presence in the middle has been a major reason for Rodgers’ side conceding just 9 goals this season.
The Foxes currently have the best defensive record in the league and the Irish coach owes it all to Ndidi, who has acted as a shield in front of the Leicester back-four, cutting down opposition attacks with ease. His performances in the middle have been so dominating that other holding midfielders such as Hamza Choudhury, Nampalys Mendy, and Daniel Amartey have found it tough to make it to the first-team.
Rodgers’ second choice in the deep-lying midfield role – Choudhury is still young and has not yet reached the standards of his teammate Ndidi. Mendy and Amartey, on the other hand, have been on the fringes for a long time and continue to be overlooked by Rodgers, who clearly does not seem to prefer the duo. Taking this into consideration, Leicester targeting a seasoned campaigner like Elneny comes as no big surprise.
Elneny, who was signed by former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger in 2016 from Swiss outfit FC Basel in 2016, has tons of experience under his belt. The Egyptian has played a total of 89 matches for the North London club but was never a regular starter there due to immense competition in the midfield. However, he has been a regular for his national side since making his debut in 2011 and has gone on to play 77 matches for them, scoring 6 times.
Having vied for a spot which included the likes of Mesut Ozil, Granit Xhaka and many other high-profile names, nobody knows it better than Elneny to compete at the highest level.
Verdict
Bringing in the experienced Elneny would offer healthy competition for Ndidi, who at the moment, seems to have cemented the spot for himself in the Foxes starting line-up.
Moreover, Elneny would offer the Leicester boss with more options in the middle if at all such a situation arises in the future.
by Siddharth Suresh
Why Arsenal’s Elneny would be a great addition for Leicester CityAccording to Turkish outlet Sozcu via Sport Witness (h/t Football London),
Leicester City are eyeing a move for Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny. The Foxes, who intend to sign Elneny at the end of this season, meanwhile, face stiff competition from Valencia and Besiktas, where the defensive midfielder is currently on a season-long loan from Arsenal.
Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny. (Getty Images)The 27-year-old, who fell out of favour with former Arsenal boss Unai Emery has been impressive since making his switch to the Turkish side. He has featured in 13 games so far for the Black Eagles. Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester, on the other hand, are on cloud nine as they sit comfortably at second place in the Premier League table, with 12 wins from 16 games.
Leicester have looked excellent under Rodgers this season, with the team clicking in all departments. One of the key players for Rodgers this season has been defensive midfielder Wilfred Ndidi. The Nigerian has made 69 successful tackles this season already, which is the second-best tally in the league only behind teammate Ricardo Pereira. His commanding presence in the middle has been a major reason for Rodgers’ side conceding just 9 goals this season.
The Foxes currently have the best defensive record in the league and the Irish coach owes it all to Ndidi, who has acted as a shield in front of the Leicester back-four, cutting down opposition attacks with ease. His performances in the middle have been so dominating that other holding midfielders such as Hamza Choudhury, Nampalys Mendy, and Daniel Amartey have found it tough to make it to the first-team.
Rodgers’ second choice in the deep-lying midfield role – Choudhury is still young and has not yet reached the standards of his teammate Ndidi. Mendy and Amartey, on the other hand, have been on the fringes for a long time and continue to be overlooked by Rodgers, who clearly does not seem to prefer the duo. Taking this into consideration, Leicester targeting a seasoned campaigner like Elneny comes as no big surprise.
Elneny, who was signed by former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger in 2016 from Swiss outfit FC Basel in 2016, has tons of experience under his belt. The Egyptian has played a total of 89 matches for the North London club but was never a regular starter there due to immense competition in the midfield. However, he has been a regular for his national side since making his debut in 2011 and has gone on to play 77 matches for them, scoring 6 times.
Having vied for a spot which included the likes of Mesut Ozil, Granit Xhaka and many other high-profile names, nobody knows it better than Elneny to compete at the highest level.
Verdict
Bringing in the experienced Elneny would offer healthy competition for Ndidi, who at the moment, seems to have cemented the spot for himself in the Foxes starting line-up.
Moreover, Elneny would offer the Leicester boss with more options in the middle if at all such a situation arises in the future.
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.
