Rodgers’ advice for deserving Daka and praise for loanee Lookman

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has kindly offered some advice to Foxes striker Patson Daka concerning winger Ademola Lookman.

Lookman is playing for his LCFC future at the moment. There is no way around that indisputable fact. And, thankfully for his many Leicester fans, his temporary manager seems to be impressed with the Nigeria international.

That may come as a surprise for some readers, as the adaptable attacker doesn’t have a starting eleven role now, unless there is rotation, like the Crystal Palace match for example. However, the Northern Irishman recently said this of Lookman:

"“I thought he was excellent,” Rodgers said after the 2-1 victory on Sunday. “I think that with Ade, he’s been unfortunate, because Barnesy’s played on the left side, so I’ve had to play him on the right. But it’s pretty clear the level he gets to on the left side is higher than the right.“I was more pleased with his aggression. He’s a talent, but what he was today was competitive, and that’s what you need to be at the highest level.”Leicester Mercury"

Meanwhile, Rodgers also gave some tips to Daka. The former Liverpool chief suggested that if the Zambian wanted to receive more time on the pitch, he should show for the ball. And that means occasionally coming into deeper pockets; as we know, strength of body and mind is needed to execute this in the Premier League. Evidently this is the reason the loanee and Kelechi Iheanacho have been preferred:

"“…you know Patson by now, his strength is running in behind, it’s not coming to feet, even though that’s a part of his game he’s improving and developing at. The idea was to put Ademola in there, who’s played as a winger or a number 10, just as a loose forward who can be the extra man for us. Of course then we wanted to change it to put him on and Ade wide. That was the reason why.”"

Season-saving European match for Leicester City

Describing the upcoming Europa Conference League second leg clash as campaign-defining may be a push. As well as being a slightly unfair phrase to use, because of the great achievements over the past six or so years. Yet, after fulfilling pretty much all aspirations in that period – Champions League football was never guaranteed, and not directly planned for – has given some of the Blue Army expectations which cannot necessarily be filled.

Nevertheless, progression is the one focus at present. The UEL provides two fantastic elements: a maiden European trophy for the East Midlands outfit in a tournament that is brand new, along with entry into next term’s Europa League. That is the 2nd tier Euro competition, as opposed the the third which is where the King Power side reside at present. Although defeating PSV Eindhoven will not be a simple task: they are currently in the runners-up position in the Dutch Eredivisie and have a wonderfully vocal and involved 12th man.