Youri Tielemans-like quality is necessary to fulfil European ambition

The breath of fresh air in midfield that everyone knew was necessary for Leicester City, arrived in the form of Youri Tielemans from AS Monaco on loan. On his debut against Tottenham Hotspur he showed majestic class; he is exactly the type of player needed to fulfil Khun Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s vision for the club:

Never has an intricately cut piece of a jigsaw puzzle been so accurately shaped. Leicester City were desperate for a touch of class and directness in the middle of the park; Youri Tielemans is precisely the man necessary to take the Foxes to the next level.

Tielemans glided through midfield with the deft touch of a more mature world-class player. Although Leicester lost to Tottenham Hotspur 3-1, the loanee was the most impressive on the pitch. Not to mention creating scenarios which led to the Foxes being the most likely winners – with better chances and more momentum.

In addition, it would be rather fair of the Blue Army – or more specifically the ‘Puel out’ crowd – to acknowledge the fact that Claude Puel was at AS Monaco for the entirety of his playing career then was their boss and won Ligue 1 in his initial campaign. Therefore, without Puel’s relationships at the French club, the East Midlands side probably wouldn’t have pulled off this incredible steal of a loan.

Demarai Gray certainly thought the Belgian international had a great game, and injected much-needed deep inventiveness and individuality:

"“He did very well.“He is an attacking, ball-playing midfielder and that is something we have needed.“As you could see from today’s performance he helped the team in attack and defensively. It’s important that we brought a player like that in.”(Via: Leicester Mercury)"

The way the new signing links the midfield to attack was an essentially missing factor in the City team. Especially with Wilfred Ndidi misplacing even the easiest of passes – the Nigerian did improve on Sunday from his recent performances – and Papy Mendy playing sideways or backwards.

In fact the 21-year-old’s composure and adept quality remind Foxes of Leicester of the Esteban Cambiasso-effect – something this writer predicted since the deal emerged as a possibility.

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• Southampton 1-4 Leicester City: 3 Foxes positives and negatives
• Southampton 1-4 Leicester: 3 things learned
• Predicted Leicester City starting XI vs Southampton

In addition to Gray loving his freshest teammate’s prowess, the Independent also cited the creative midfield man as the most influential Fox on the park; naming Tielemans, and Christian Eriksen of Spurs, as the best from either side.

We consulted WhoScored for the statistical involvement of the Belgium player at Wembley: two shots; two tackles; one clearance; one aerial win; two shots; two key passes and a pass success rate of 91.1 per cent. Yet it is the constant thinking towards advancement in the game which benefits Leicester so perfectly.

In order for Leicester City to consistently qualify for European competition and take 7th, or even 6th, they need high calibre players such as the subject of this piece. However, we are under no illusion that the price will rise as his status increases due to outstandingly displays. Unfortunately the Foxes will have to battle more significant and richer clubs for Tielemans’ signature; let’s hope he loves it at the King Power Stadium!