Reports have surfaced that Leicester City are lining up a season-long loan move for Manchester United player Marcus Rashford. However, the Foxes aren’t the only club interested in the young English international, as Everton and Newcastle United also are keen on the forward.
Claude Puel and Leicester have made a splash during the early stages of the summer transfer window.
Since the window opened, the Foxes have already acquired not only one of the top young right-backs in the world in Ricardo Pereira, but have also signed centre-back Jonny Evans for a bargain price of £3 million. That being said, the business is not finished, with Puel wanting to bring in more talent.
Bringing in Marcus Rashford
The Foxes are a team at a crossroads. After winning the title in 2015/16 , Leicester have finished the following two seasons in 12th and 9th place.
However, under the management of Claude Puel, the Foxes have shown moments of brilliance that are reminiscent of the title-winning campaign. Due to this, the Leicester Board have shown their faith in Claude Puel to re-establish the club as a threat in the Premier League.
It is no secret that the Leicester Board and Chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha are willing to spend this summer. The ultimate goal is for Leicester to quickly become a top seven club. By bringing in Rashford, this dream can become a reality.
By the numbers
To say the least, Marcus Rashford is an excellent player. At only 20 years of age Rashford has made 78 appearances, scored17 goals and has eight assists in the Premier League. He will also be playing for England in the upcoming World Cup in Russia. To say he has accomplished a lot in a short period of time is an understatement.
The high quality of Marcus Rashford is clear. Due to this, Puel and Leicester City will do anything they can to bring in the magician, especially with the departure of the Foxes’ own magic-maker being evident.
Marcus Rashford for Riyad Mahrez
For the better part of a year now, Rihad Mahrez has tried to leave the King Power Stadium. The refusal of selling Mahrez by the Leicester Board has been clear. The last two transfer windows have been filled with drama, but the Algerian will be leaving Leicester soon per reports. With Mahrez reportedly going to Manchester City, the hole of talent that the Algerian will be leaving behind must be filled – and quickly. Rashford would be the perfect player to replace Mahrez.
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There has been much speculation about who would replace Mahrez when he leaves Leicester City. Rumors of Xherdan Shaqiri, James Maddison, Jack Grealish, and Patrick Roberts have surfaced as possible replacements for the 27-year old. Getting any of these players would be nice, but none of them have the same quality and winning experience that Marcus Rashford would bring.
Why Leicester City make sense for Rashford
Tactically, Rashford and Leicester would be a perfect marriage. The Foxes have always worked at their best as a squad that plays the counter-attack and uses pace up top to their advantage.
At 31 years old, Jamie Vardy will begin to slow down. The type of guidance Vardy can give Rashford would be invaluable, especially as they have the same style of play. This could lead to an exciting partnership between the old and the young that would surely become a deadly duo. Not only would Rashford be given veteran guidance, the young English international would play in a youthful team.
Claude Puel has emphasised the importance of youth at Leicester City. Since taking over, he has benefitted from playing young players like Ben Chilwell, Demarai Gray, Harry Maguire, Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho and Fousseni Diabaté over more established and senior players. Rashford would fit perfectly into this mould and would become the most exciting young player in the team.
Finally – and most importantly – Rashford would be given first team playing time, something he wasn’t having at Old Trafford. Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has criticised the young forward for not playing to his full potential, because of which, 18 of Rashford’s 35 Premier League appearances were as a substitute.
At Leicester City, Rashford would always be a part of the starting XI, consistently playing the full 90 minutes he dreams of.
Why Jose Mourinho should pull the trigger
It must be clear that this would not be a permanent deal for Rashford. At best, this would be a one year loan. Due to this, it would not hurt Mourinho to let go of a quality talent for the 2018/19 season. Furthermore, Leicester are not a direct threat to the Red Devils.
If the Englishman pushes for a loan move away from Old Trafford, Leicester would be a terrific club for him to develop while also not harming the aspirations of Manchester United.
By not loaning him to a rival club like Arsenal or Man City, United would have done no wrong to their hopes of winning the Premier League while effectively developing a superstar talent with a club whose goal is to qualify for the Europa League.
Marcus Rashford to Leicester City
It would be incredibly exciting if Marcus Rashford comes to Leicester City. Not only would they get a young superstar in the making for a year, but they would also establish themselves as a club that embraces young, high quality talent. However, this is not a permanent deal.
Yes, getting Rashford would be amazing, but the Foxes need to look past the 2018/19 season. Puel has always looked at the big picture at Leicester. The Frenchman believes that they can become a top team in England, but for that, he’d have to look at long-term solutions.
Rashford is an excellent player who can take Leicester City to another level next season – no doubt – but bear in mind that he is a temporary solution.
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If Leicester do get him, they’d still need to find a top-tier player that will be playing for the years to come.