Charlie Taylor (Getty Images)
According to The Times, Leicester City are keeping close tabs on Burnley defender Charlie Taylor as a potential replacement for Ben Chilwell, who could leave for a bigger club in the summer.
Taylor, 26, came through the youth ranks of Leeds United’s academy and played for several clubs on loan, including York City, Inverness Calderon Thistle FC and Fleetwood Town. After making 104 appearances for the Whites, he moved to Burnley in the summer of 2017.
In his debut season with the Clarets, he made only limited appearances but he became an integral part of the squad in the following campaign. The Englishman has got enough experience under his belt now.
The Foxes started the season on a high note but their recent performances have been below par. Brendan Rodgers got them off to a flying start but they have been inconsistent in the last few months and are currently 7 points adrift of Manchester City.
Leicester are hoping for a finish in the top four to qualify for the Champions League. Their success this season has been mainly due to the likes of Jamie Vardy, James Maddison and Harvey Barnes.
Speaking of the defensive unit, Caglar Soyuncu and Jonny Evans were ever-present in the heart of the defence and did form a strong partnership. But that looks to have shaken slightly, conceding 9 goals in the last 7 league games. In the full-back positions, Ricardo Pereira and Ben Chilwell have been excellent.
However, Rodgers has limited full-back options and the departure of Chilwell would leave them with only Christian Fuchs at left-back. The Austrian is already 33 and it is clear that he cannot be depended upon in all the games throughout the season. Therefore, to strengthen the squad, Rodgers must bring in an energetic player and Charlie Taylor would be the best option.
The 26-year-old has been a mainstay at the back for Burnley and has done a decent job so far. Taylor was instrumental in the Clarets’ 2-0 win over Manchester United in January as he put in a stunning performance at the back.
If Taylor can produce such performances for Leicester, there’s no reason why he cannot replace the influential Ben Chilwell. Taylor is also capable of playing in the left-midfield position when needed.
Taylor is 26 and has also played over 60 games in the Premier League. This would be the right time for him to play at a bigger club and prove his worth. He can be an able replacement for Chilwell and won’t need much time to settle, given he already has experience in the top-flight.
Therefore, Leicester signing Taylor would also improve the depth in their squad, which can be helpful for various competitions.
