Moussa Diaby of Bayer Leverkusen is challenged by Ismail Jakobs of Koeln during the Bundesliga match between 1. FC Koeln and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at RheinEnergieStadion on December 14, 2019 in Cologne, Germany. (Getty Images)
According to the Daily Mail, Leicester City are keeping their eyes on FC Cologne’s German starlet Ismail Jakobs.
Ismail Jakobs, 20, has come through the academy with Cologne, but only made his senior debut back in November against Hoffenheim. He has scored two goals in 9 Bundesliga games so far, catching the attention of Tottenham and AS Roma as well, the report adds.
However, Leicester City must do everything possible to beat the likes of Tottenham and AS Roma to the young German’s signature.
The Foxes have heavily impressed under Brendan Rodgers this season, especially with attacking players like Jamie Vardy, Harvey Barnes, James Maddison, Youri Tielemans and Ayoze Perez linking up in the best possible way and helping them to third place in the table. They have scored 54 goals in 26 games – which is really good.
At the other end too, they have been impressive. They have the third-best defensive record, conceding only 26 goals despite the departure of Harry Maguire to Manchester United in the summer. Caglar Soyuncu has stepped up following Maguire’s sale, forming a strong partnership with Jonny Evans at the back, with full-backs Ben Chilwell and Ricardo Pereira also doing well.
Under the tutelage of Rodgers, youngsters such as Chilwell, Soyuncu, Tielemans, Maddison and Barnes have shone this term. The Northern Irish manager has been a promoter of youth in whichever club he has managed in his career. Having said that, there’s every reason to think why a young talent such as Ismail Jakobs can thrive at Leicester City.
Since making his debut at Cologne in November, Jakobs hasn’t looked back and his first nine senior games have come in the last 10 Bundesliga fixture. The 20-year-old instantly managed to make himself a mainstay in Cologne and has been a crucial part of the German club’s much-improved form.
A left-winger by trade, Jakobs is equally adept playing in the midfield and at left-back. Despite being so young, he hasn’t looked out of place at Cologne and has the qualities to excel in Premier League football. And under Rodgers’ watch, he can go on to become successful if he takes a step in the right direction.
Although Jakobs might be very young, he is a player filled with huge potential. He may not be able to walk straight into the starting XI at Leicester City but it would be wise of the Foxes to make a move for him this summer.
The German’s raw talent shows that he has what it takes to develop into a Premier League prospect and by shaping himself, he could become a regular at the King Power Stadium.
