Leicester City manager Claude Puel had interest in World Cup star

Claude Puel wanted to bring Russia’s star player Aleksandr Golovin to Leicester City, according to L’Equipe.

Golovin, already acknowledged as a high-class midfielder, saw his stock soar after the displays at the FIFA World Cup. In four appearances at the tournament, he had a goal and a couple of assists to his name, as the 22-year old played a pivotal role in his side’s journey to the quarter-finals.

He had an equally good time in the domestic circuit with CSKA Moscow, too. In 43 appearances last season, he bagged seven goals and six assists (including strikes against Arsenal and Olympique Lyon), which is an impressive tally if you look at the quality of the team that he was in.

L’Equipe reports that his showings led to almost every single Premier League club registering interest in him, with Leicester being in the list as well; however, Golovin chose to move to Ligue 1 side AS Monaco for £27 million, and the Foxes signed Norwich City’s James Maddison instead for a  fee reported to be £20 million. It is turning out to be a nail hit right on the middle of the head so far, isn’t it?

The no.10 has scored two goals and assisted another in five league appearances, proving that his football is well ahead of his age

There were fears that he may take his time to adapt to the high standards of the top division, but as we can all see now, he is continuing the same way he did for Norwich last term.