Everything you need to know about Youri Tielemans
By Matt Taylor
After the young Belgian starlet was pictured in Leicester City training kit earlier today, here is everything you need to know about the midfielder.
It seems that the Youri Tielemans loan move to Leicester City is all but a formality, as the January transfer window draws to a close. Adrien Silva, whose time at the King Power Stadium has been plagued with misfortune, will head in the opposite direction to Monaco, also on loan.
Despite the deal not including an option-to-buy clause, per Leicester Mercury, the addition of the 21-year-old could still prove to be a highly beneficial move for City. They are gaining a player with serious potential, but also a frequent international with 14 senior caps and 22 UEFA Champions League appearances, underlining his wealth of experience for a young man.
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The agreement will, however, include a clause that gives Leicester the opportunity to match any summer bid made for the Monaco man, who is currently the youngest Belgian to appear in the UCL.
Who is Youri Tielemans?
The 21-year-old began his career at Anderlecht, having been on their books since age-five. He’s made 185 appearances for the Purple & White, before moving to Monaco for a fee of £23.5 million, back in the summer of 2017, via transfermarkt.
During his final season in Belgium, Tielemans scored an impressive 18 goals from midfield, helping to secure his second First Division A title while at the club. Meanwhile, his personal honours include the Belgian Professional Footballer of the Year, awarded to the midfielder in 2017.
What playing style can Foxes fans expect?
The 21-year-old certainly has the potential to become the deep-lying playmaker that City fans have demanded this January, amongst speculation of re-signing Premier League title-winner Danny Drinkwater.
There is also evidence that Tielemans offers creativity at the very top-level, as he registered two assists in four games at the 2018 World Cup. He could be the perfect player to partner either Wilfred Ndidi or Hamza Choudhury; making ‘Puel Ball’ click at the King Power Stadium.
The stats surrounding the Belgian international give the impression of a well-balanced all-rounder in midfield. This season, Tielemans has averaged one key pass, 0.9 dribbles and 2.3 tackles per game, via WhoScored. In contrast, Papy Mendy averages 0.1 key passes per game, suggesting that Leicester’s new loanee will offer a marked improvement in terms of chance creation from deep.
Also, the youngster’s goal record offers another reason for City fans to be pleased with this signing. Alongside the impressive 18-goal tally from 2016/17, the Belgian has scored five goals in 20 league appearances this season, not a bad return from midfield.
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Leicester City fans can also expect high quality long ranged goals, as Tielemans is known for his eye for the spectacular. Not dissimilar to Leicester’s own Ndidi, another signing whose origins lie within the Belgian leagues, and we all know how that turned out, don’t we.