Leicester City

Leicester interested in 20-year-old Ligue 1 starlet – Could he be a useful addition for Rodgers’ side?

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Why Leicester City should make a move for Ibrahima Diallo this summer

According to Onze Mundial (h/t The Leicester Mercury), Leicester City are interested in signing Stade Brestois midfielder Ibrahima Diallo in the summer.

Ibrahima Diallo, 20, joined Stade Brestois from AS Monaco last summer. He is enjoying a breakout season in Ligue 1 and has made 18 appearances for the newly promoted French side, registering an assist so far.

Brest’s French midfielder Ibrahima Diallo (L) vies with Nantes’ French midfielder Abdoulaye Toure during the French L1 football match between Brest and Nantes on November 23, 2019, at the Francis Le Ble stadium in Brest, northwestern France. (Getty Images)

The 20-year-old, who was heavily linked with Leicester City during the January transfer window, is now rated at around €16m, the report adds. (h/t The Leicester Mercury)

The Foxes are on a poor run of form currently – having failed to win any of their last four Premier League games – but they remain in third place. Jamie Vardy has benefited massively under Brendan Rodgers’ guidance but this Leicester side is more than just Vardy and James Maddison. The likes of Wilfred Ndidi, Youri Tielemans, Ayoze Perez, Ben Chilwell and Ricardo Pereira have performed exceptionally well so far.

Most of Leicester’s success on the pitch has to be attributed to a strong defence that has conceded just 28 goals in as many games. For Brendan Rodgers’ side, Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyuncu have formed a formidable pairing at the back. Also, Ndidi has been a major reason for Rodgers’ side conceding just 28 goals.

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Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi in action. (Getty Images)

Ndidi has been a regular fixture in the Leicester side this season and his commanding presence in midfield has helped the Foxes click in all departments. But the Nigerian has endured injury problems of late and in his absence, Leicester have struggled. Their recent results are enough to understand how important Ndidi is to the team, with Rodgers struggling to fill the midfielder’s void.

In Ndidi’s absence, Hamza Choudhury has played in the deeper role in Rodgers’ 4-1-4-1 system. But Choudhury has shown himself to lack the discipline required for the position as he was sent off recently in the 0-0 draw with Wolves. Also, Rodgers is likely to allow Papy Mendy to leave King Power Stadium on a free transfer when his contract expires. (h/t The Leicester Mercury)

That would leave Rodgers with just two defensive midfielders in Ndidi and Choudhury. Considering Leicester are in a good position to qualify for the Champions League next season, Rodgers must beef up his squad to compete on all fronts. Having said that, signing midfielder Ibrahima Diallo would certainly make sense for the Foxes.

Caglar Soyuncu of Leicester City shakes hands with Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Newcastle United at The King Power Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Getty Images)

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Diallo has performed very well for Stade Brestois in Ligue 1 this campaign. His inclusion in Leicester’s squad would also bring healthy competition within the team. And he can be a suitable replacement for Mendy, who is out of contract at the end of the season.

Verdict

The Stade Brestois midfielder is just 20 years old and can develop his game under Rodgers at the King Power Stadium. Therefore, the Foxes must be able to sign Diallo in the summer as he can be their player in the long run.

Rohan Sengupta

Football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.

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