What’s Youri Tielemans had to say since signing on loan

Youri Tielemans cannot wait to get going with Leicester City. What has he said since joining the club, and how should Leicester best utilise the versatile midfielder:

It has been said by Belgian journalists that new Leicester City loan signing Youri Tielemans isn’t a fan of tackling or the physical side of the game, and that will affect his performance level in the our intense Premier League.

Well, only Ricardo Pereira and Wilfred Ndidi have a bigger number of success challenges this campaign so that shouldn’t be a problem. In fact the former Anderlecht man insists he relishes the chance to play with Harry Maguire, as well as Jamie Vardy; they don’t come much tougher to handle or combative than that duo.

What we know from the Belgian is that he preferably pulls the strings from deeper – in his words a No.6, No.8 or No.10 suits. However, there’s always a best, most suitable position for these types. From what we can gather, the ideal place is going to be orchestrating from a central midfield No.8 location.

A player who can beat an opponent, play accurate varying key passes and score brilliant long-range goals. Starting Tielemans in the proposed area is vital for an inconsistent push for a 7th finish, and to galvanise support for manager Claude Puel.

Lcfc.com interviewed the highly rated starlet:

"“I’m really excited to get going. The Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world and when I was young, I always watched Premier League games.“I’m really happy to be here and I’m excited to get started on Sunday – I think every kid dreams about playing in the Premier League.“I didn’t know that much [about Leicester] before their championship win in 2016. Before that, I didn’t know too much about the club. I knew recently there was some dramatic events, but I know the club is really good inside.“I’ve had a lot of experiences in my young career. I’m 21, but I started when I was 16, so I’ve a lot of memories in football and I think I’m ready for this challenge. I’m really excited about it.I’ve already been part of a World Cup and almost every year I’ve played in the Champions League or the Europa League. It’s a lot of experience that’s coming by and I think it will help me in this new challenge.”(Transcript via: Leicester Mercury)"

Our interpretation is the Belgian of course wanted to, and believed he would, play against Manchester United at the weekend; the only reason he didn’t according to reports was match fitness, as he failed a pre-match physical test.

In addition the youthful midfield playmaker also gives us an indication of what to expect from him on the pitch:

"“I think it’s [box-to-box] my best position, but I can play in every position in midfield.“Whenever the coach needs me, I can play in number six, number eight or number ten, but it’s true that I’m mostly a box-to-box player.“I like to attack. I think as a midfielder it’s really dangerous when you have a midfielder coming from the second line and trying to shoot or get into the box. It’s always difficult to defend and I try to add this to me game. I think it will help the team.“Being in front of the goal is my nature, but I like to defend also, helping the team and being compact. That’s important too.”And on the fact that there’s so many youthful first team players:“I think it will help my adaptation inside the group, you have also a lot of experienced players around, so I think the mix of both experience and young players can be really good.“There is a lot of excitement here in this stadium. When I watched the games back in 2016, before the win of the championship, I was really impressed about the atmosphere.”"

How wonderful to hear a new face talking encouragingly about the atmosphere at the King Power Stadium. Although it appears a positive outlook and chanting would help increase the confidence of players at present; booing them or the manager during the game is not helping anyone. Yet the incoming midfield man knows the club has a good, family core – as do we.

More from Foxes of Leicester

• Enzo Maresca hails four star Leicester players
• Harry Winks reveals his easy decision to join Leicester
• Southampton 1-4 Leicester City: 3 Foxes positives and negatives
• Southampton 1-4 Leicester: 3 things learned
• Predicted Leicester City starting XI vs Southampton

How Leicester City should correctly utilise Youri Tielemans

Some observers seemed under the impression that Tielemans is dropping down a level in his career by moving on loan to Leicester City, he was not. Yes, Les Monegasques have an overall stronger squad and are constant European qualifiers, but with all respect, the player is stepping up an echelon in league terms. Being as Ligue 1 is pale in significant in comparison with the premiership with regards to quality or standard.

The English top-flight division is the best and most competitive globally; the 21-year-old’s experience in the Champions League and World Cup can be enhanced to  polish his game. This could be as notable a signing for the Foxes as Esteban Cambiasso. That noteworthy!

Therefore, Tielemans himself must also step up and prove his worth again for a return; or for the shop window. Following a strange couple of seasons, where he was made No.10 and captain, which backfired under Thierry Henry’s leadership. Partly because a less forward placement is preferable to the Belgium international.

Henry’s time ended when elder professionals at the French club revolted whilst drinking coffee with former – and now current again – boss Leonardo Jardim. See Mirror Sport for more details. Hopefully the Foxes will extract the best from the deeper creative midfielder and retain his services in the summer.