Leicester City completed their first signing last week, as they pipped Arsenal to the signing of Belgian international Timothy Castagne. Here’s all you need to know about the former Atalanta man.
Any Leicester City fan that’s followed this transfer window closely will surely have breathed a sigh of relief yesterday evening. After endless rumours and speculation, the Foxes have finally managed to get a deal across the line for full-back Timothy Castagne.
While the East Midlands club’s supporters still await the arrival of a creative winger and an out-and-out left-back, the Belgian international’s arrival is more than a promising start as long as Leicester can strengthen in other areas. Here’s the lowdown on the Foxes’ new man.
Leicester City new man is versatile
Able to operate on either flank as a winger or full-back, and on occasion even at defensive midfield, Castagne’s biggest strength is perhaps his versatility. Leicester suffered somewhat of an injury crisis towards the end of last season, and paid the price for not having quality backup in key positions.
With the Europa League only adding to the fixture congestion this term, the Foxes will be glad of the Belgian’s utility when injuries and fitness force rotation.
When James Justin stepped into Ricardo’s boots at the tail end of last season his lack of experience playing top-level football became increasingly apparent. While I’m certain that the England U-21 international will improve given time, it’s likely that Castagne will be the man to take Ricardo’s place, with the Portuguese star sidelined until early October.
Castagne has already made 75 Serie A appearances for Atalanta, and so should have no issues adapting to the pace of the EPL given his experience. With Leicester competing in the Premier League, Europa League and domestic cup competitions next season, a man of Castagne’s many talents shouldn’t find himself struggling for minutes come Ricardo’s return from injury.
Castagne is familiar with the club
Cast your mind back to last year’s pre-season, and you might remember a certain Belgian starting against the Foxes at the King Power Stadium. Castagne commented recently that he was impressed by Leicester’s attacking brand of football on the day, also heaping praise on golden boot winner Jamie Vardy and the overall quality on show at the East Midlands club.
Brendan Rodgers has also been a long-term admirer of the Belgian, attempting to sign him in 2018 with Celtic, and so should have no problem knowing how to implement him at Leicester.
It’s also no secret that Castagne shares the international stage with fellow countrymen Youri Tielemans and Dennis Praet, making 7 appearances for the Red Devils since 2018. The connections with Leicester City midfielders don’t end there, as the former Atalanta man also played with Wilfried Ndidi at academy and club level at Genk, and is looking forward to reuniting with the Super Eagles international in England.
Top-level experience, versatility on the pitch and knowledge of much of the squad already enables Castagne to have no problems settling into life at Leicester, happily. In fact, he’s also suggested that compatriots Tielemans and Praet have eased the transition with knowledge and gems.
An absolute workhorse
While he won’t be a like-for-like replacement for Ben Chilwell or the injured Ricardo, Castagne’s addition to the Leicester City squad will likely bring another dimension to the Foxes’ attack and defence.
Standing at 6’1″, the full-back is tough in the tackle and provides some aerial threat and physicality to a Leicester side that’s sorely lacked it in the past few years. He’s tidy on the ball too, rarely losing possession or misplacing a pass, and so will hopefully restore defensive prowess to a once formidable backline that’s looked shaky as of late.
Like any good modern full-back, Castagne also possesses a ferocious work rate that will be an asset to Leicester whether on or off of the ball, synergising completely with Rodgers’ style of relentless pressing; even remarking to Leicester fans, “I’m going to run a lot, so be ready for that!”.
At Atalanta, the Belgian operated both as a traditional full-back in a back four and as a wing-back in a back three, and so should be ready for whatever formation Rodgers chooses to persist with next season.
Overall, the Belgian’s work rate, defensive ability and above all versatility should make him a hit with the Foxes faithful, and a grateful addition to Leicester’s squad. If the East Midlands club truly wish to challenge for European honours next season, then this is exactly the kind protean signing they need to combat fixture congestion.
With Leicester’s final pre-season game against Blackburn Rovers kicking off tomorrow at 1pm, hopefully we’ll get to see Leicester’s newest recruit in action sooner rather than later.