How Leicester could line-up with Cengiz Under

Finally – after over two years since Riyad Mahrez left for Manchester City, Leicester City could finally have a suitable replacement winger.

Leicester City are close to completing the loan deal of Cengiz Ünder from AS Roma with an obligation to buy. The 23-year-old is a Turkey international and has been with the Italian club since 2017.

He became a Roma player for £12.2 million from Istanbul Basaksehir after impressing in the Süper Lig. Throughout his time in Italy, he made 88 appearances in all competitions, scoring 27. Towards the end of last season, he spent the majority of the time on the bench, only appearing for 97 times following the restart of action in June.

With Timothy Castagne signing a couple of weeks ago, Ünder looks set to join the Belgium international at King Power for this season.

But how could the Turkish winger line-up for Brendan Rodgers‘ men with the current crop of wingers?

Potential Leicester City XI

With Rodgers opting for a 4-1-4-1 on Sunday in the victory over West Bromwich Albion, it is likely that Ünder will play on the right-wing in place of Ayoze Perez.

Leicester’s strongest team will include Kasper Schmeichel in goal with Castagne, Jonny Evans, Caglar Soyuncu and James Justin. However, if the club can secure the services of Wesley Fofana from Saint-Ettiene, would the French defender start?

At only 19-years-old, Fofana has started played all 270 minutes of his club’s Ligue 1 game’s so far, conceding no goals in three consecutive 2-0 victories. Against Marseille, Fofana made 58 passes, completed 84% of them and made four accurate long balls.

He also won two tackles and won all of his aerial battles. Managed by former Leicester manager Claude Puel, Fofana has built a reputation for himself as one of the best defenders in France.

With Evans turning 33 in January, a replacement for the Northern Irishman has been one of the number one priorities. With Filip Benkovic injured and looking unlikely to feature for the Foxes, Fofana would be a perfect signing.

In front of the back four would be the ever-present Wilfred Ndidi. After a solid performance at centre-back against the Baggies, Ndidi will be hoping to slot back into the defensive midfield position soon.

With Ndidi set to line-up alongside Soyuncu for the Burnely game and possibly the trip to Manchester City, depending on if Fofana signs, Nampalys Mendy has proved he is ready to slot in when required and perform well.

Midfield is where the serious shots are called. Rodgers’ strongest midfield has James Maddison and Youri Tielemans in it. Both attacking-minded players that offer different things. Tielemans patrols more of a box-to-box position, whilst Maddison ventures forward more, like a No.10 in a 4-2-3-1.

With Ünder’s signing nearly complete, Rodgers will be finally be handed a tough call out wide. Harvey Barnes has been a regular in Rodgers’ team since his appointment in February 2019 but has failed to add goals to his game.

On Match of the Day 2 last week, Jermaine Jenas claimed he believes Barnes could be world-class once his final product is bettered. He missed two golden opportunities at The Hawthorns last week but showed glimpses of his ability.

On the right, normally, is Perez. However, the majority of Leicester fans know he is best used behind the striker than out wide. With Demarai Gray struggling to reach the potential expected when he joined in 2016, Ünder could start immediately.

As a left-footed right-winger, his similarities to Riyad Mahrez are clear to see. Commonly cutting inside from the right before teasing opponents with skill or firing the ball past the helpless goalkeeper.

Statistically, he’s not the best. His Youtube video’s make him look the best winger on earth. But that’s the same with every player. Under Rodgers – no pun intended – Ünder could be the answer to Leicester City’s winger problem they have been waiting for.