Leicester City target Premier League CB for January swoop

Once again Leicester City are linked with an experienced centre-back from Premier League rivals. Here is everything you need to know about the rumours.

Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester side sit eighth in the Premier League table with 22 points, three behind Tottenham Hotspurs who the Foxes are to face on 16th December. They have scored the fifth most goals but conceded the fifth most as well.

It is therefore no surprise that the King Power outfit are once again linked to a centre-back for the January transfer window, despite only recently purchasing Jannik Vestergaard from Southampton. Perhaps a little bit of context will help us see why we might need one.

Though the U23 squad has brilliant up and coming defenders, from Ben Nelson to Ben Grist, these players are not ready for PL football. Meanwhile, from injuries to COVID-19, Leicester have had several defenders out for most of the season.

Now, Jonny Evans looks to be increasingly fragile, and yet is one of our most important players. Unfortunately, it is time to bring in a sturdier starter. This should have been Vestergaard, but he has struggled to adapt after picking up an injury early in the season.

Let us explore who we are now linked to and what they could bring to the East Midlands should Rodgers go in for the player.

Leicester City linked to Brentford captain

Leicester are linked to Pontus Jansson from league rival Brentford. The newly promoted side have been riding the wave of positivity, with Thomas Frank leading them well. Jansson has been critical in their defensive resilience against top-tier sides, and this has attracted interest from several places.

Everton and Newcastle United are also linked to the defender. The Swedish international is 30 years old now, providing a wealth of defensive experience as a composer of the backline – similar to the role currently performed by Evans.

In fact, the Swede also has the benefit of playing under two separate styles of play: the ever aggressive Leeds United and now the higher pressing Brentford. This makes the player versatile and quite the formidable opponent.

Statistically though, a first glance would appear to suggest Jansson does not suit ‘Rodgersball’. High pressing is an incessant feature the gaffer would like to properly get going at the King Power. This has been a struggle, which was why the Danish international defender was brought in.

According to FB Ref, the Swedish defender is in the fifth percentile for pressures contested and the sixth for making tackles. However bad these stats appear, the benefit of Jansson becomes clear in other stats.

The player is in the 79th percentile for how often he is dribbled past (meaning he prevents dribbles past himself), in the 83rd for successful pressures, 82nd for mis-controls, and 89th for carries into the penalty box.

The stats paint a clear picture of what kind of player Leicester are interested in. Composure in defence, staying goal-side of his attacker, pressing at the right time, controlling the ball well, and helping to attack the ball when needed.

The 30-year-old defender could cost a lot as he remains a regular starter for Brentford, though this might be reduced due to his contract expiring at the end of this season. Would you like the Foxes to go in for Jansson? Let Foxes of Leicester know on our social media channels.