Brendan Rodgers evaluates Ayoze Perez, explains omission: Leicester City

Optimism surrounded Ayoze Perez’s surprise and rather expensive addition at Leicester City. However, he failed to be involved in any Foxes goals following three starts. Brendan Rodgers explains the Spaniard’s subsequent omission versus Bournemouth.

When Newcastle Attacker Ayoze Perez signed for Leicester City in the summer it was a bit of a surprise. Nobody doubts his underrated quality and he certainly adds a new dimension to the Foxes play.

Yet the £30 million pricetag was questioned by some, balked at by others and, including this writer, welcomed as a modern expenditure for talented transfer additions. Though goals haven’t transpired quite yet for the Spanish attacker, his link-up play with Jamie Vardy and James Maddison has improved to a promising level.

Although against Bournemouth in the fourth Premier League game of the season for Leicester, Perez was dropped to the substitute bench following three consecutive starts. Marc Albrighton, the ever industrious but slightly one or two dimensional winger – crossing and directness – replaced him.

Subsequently the King Power club won convincingly and Albrighton performed satisfactorily – but at Foxes of Leicester, we feel that the right-wing/support-stiker/right-forward position is still up for grabs. Perez is the right man for the job, albeit he’ll take more time to transition into top form – as stated below by the boss:

"“It was just a different idea [to drop Perez]. He has played a lot of games up until now. I have got other really, really good players like Marc Albrighton, who can come into the game.Ayoze has played and we felt that we needed a freshness against a team that are very dynamic and fast, so the three players we brought in were all fast and aggressive in Marc, Wilfred (Ndidi) and Ben (Chilwell).“I think Ayo will show over his time here is that he is a top-class player, but I’ve also got Demarai Gray who is a very good player, so it’s very much about the squad.”– Brendan RodgersVia: Leicester Mercury"

Additionally, the Northern Irishman also told LCFC Live that it may take Perez six-months to adapt on Filbert Way.

Harvey Barnes will hopefully now make the the other side his own through great understanding or even a form of telepathy with Ben Chilwell on the left. Leaving Perez and Albrighton to battle it out for the opposite, remaining place.

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• Predicted Leicester City starting XI vs Southampton

In a perfect world this also ensures Rodgers will also stop wasting Maddison on the left-wing. Yes, the England squad member has license to roam inwards when stranded but he is more effective as an attack-minded midfielder partnering Youri Tielemans, or in a No.10 role.

If it takes the man from María Jiménez half a year to acclimatise, then he will no doubt add many goals as the season expires at the ‘business end’. Have you been satisfied with the 26-year-old’s contributions to the team?