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Versatile Iborra: Craig Shakespeare impressed with the Spaniard

By Harneet Singh Sethi

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool and Vicente Iborra of Leicester City battle for possession during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Leicester City and Liverpool at The King Power Stadium on September 19, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool and Vicente Iborra of Leicester City battle for possession during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Leicester City and Liverpool at The King Power Stadium on September 19, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) /
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Leicester City boss Craig Shakespeare is impressed with the versatility of new arrival Vicente Iborra.

Signed from Sevilla FC for a reported £10.5 million, the 29-year old is yet to make a Premier League appearance for Leicester City because of a groin injury sustained during the pre-season.

However, Iborra has recently had 90 minutes under his belt against Liverpool in the 2-0 Carabao Cup win at the King Power Stadium as the midfielder demonstrated his capability, impressing Craig Shakespeare in the process.

Talking exclusively to the Leicester Mercury, the boss said:

"“He is slowly getting used to the game over here. He has got sharper in training and is moving the ball quicker. We have encouraged that.“I think the intensity has taken him by surprise. He is very much a team player in the mould of (Japanese forward) Shinji Okazaki. He is willing to adapt”."

Vicente Iborra is well known for his ability to adapt to different positions, chiefly as a holding midfielder, a central midfielder and even a second striker, a position that suited him well in certain games during his time in the La Liga.

Shakespeare has also revealed that he has had conversations about the same.

"“We have had regular chats with him about that. You can draw on your experience because he hasn’t just played as a number six, which is like a deep midfield player, he has also played as a number 10 in behind,’ Shakespeare said.“It is interesting when we have the conversations about why he was used like that. He is very aware tactically. That game (against Liverpool) will have been great for him in terms of getting him up to speed”."

Vicente Iborra is not just very abled but also an intelligent player, as you’d say about many of Spain’s best players. It’s the very combination of qualities that earned him the captain’s armband at Sevilla, a role that he did absolute justice too.

Next: Danny Simpson ‘gutted’ with Leicester City’s start to the season

A three-time UEFA Europa League winner, Iborra won’t just bring sheer quality to the table but also the winning mentality that Leicester City are badly in need of.

Currently sitting 17th on the Premier League table, the Foxes now face a crucial October, with three relatively easier league fixtures against AFC Bournemouth (A), West Bromwich Albion (H), Swansea City (A) and a Carabao Cup tie against Leeds United (A) awaiting them.

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