Leicester City are once again linked with more possible targets as part of their squad refresh. Here are the stories and an analysis of each target.
The Foxes are coming into another transitional period. A period in which they will sell a lot, buy a lot, and lose big first team names. This period was always going to happen, though it is one our owners look set to take advantage of.
We have already covered four sets of links. Our first piece included many players, our second links us to Seko Fofana, our third had extra players, and our final piece until now involved Brennan Johnson. There are three new additions and an update on one of the already listed targets.
Leicester City eyeing up wonderkid
Arnaud Kalimuendo is a striker for RC Lens on loan from Paris Saint-Germaine. The player is truly a wonderkid of a forward. At only 20, the Frenchman is a youth international, has scored 12 goals across 31 appearances for RC Lens, and has a 100% penalty conversion.
As SmarterScout illustrate, there is so much more to this versatile attacker. There are three key attributes (on top of his propensity to shoot from the six-yard box) which they note. He scores a 91/100 in link-up play with his team, 85/100 in ball retention, and 79/100 in dribbling.
This is the exact profile of a player Leicester City should want to have long-term alongside Patson Daka. He comes deep, is positionally excellent in the box, keeps hold of the ball well, and can be the focal point of final third progression and creation when required.
The player’s agent is set for talks with PSG over his transfer and contract situation. We of course do not know if this is a transfer request or not, and we can assume he is looking for a permanent club soon. I would spend the money if we get the opportunity.
Another French target
The King Power club are reportedly interested in Stade Rennes player Benjamin Bourigeaud. A midfielder by traits, but has also performed excellently this season as a right-winger or on the right of a midfield four. The Frenchman offers a versatile attacking option.
In the 21/22 season so far, the player has notched up 45 total appearances. Across that, he has accomplished 15 assists and 10 goals. Most of these contributions were registered from the right-wing/midfield position instead of the central midfield role his is known for.
The linked report claims he could be a Youri Tielemans replacement. Were this the previous season that would be accurate. However, Bourigeaud has appeared almost exclusively on the right in this season. He could be a much better right-wing option than a midfield option for Leicester City.
Tactically, the player also fits Brendan Rodgers’ style of pressure and wingers/midfielders tracking back into defensive positions. SmarterScout score him a 99/100 on recovery (tracking back and challenging for the ball) benchmarked against Premier League talent. That is a sensational stat and reminiscent of Ademola Lookman’s promising defensive contribution.
I would not recommend going for this player. In midfield we have better targets such as Charles de Ketelaere, and on the wing, we have Noni Madueke to hope for. More specialised and significantly younger with higher potential.
Ligue 1 monitored
The French leagues are a goldmine of talent available for reasonable prices. So long as you look away from the English leagues, you tend to get good deals. The most startling example of this fact is £80m for Harry Maguire versus just over £30m for Wesley Fofana.
As such, Leicester City are constantly monitoring Ligue 1 for any talent which could improve our squad. There are another two players linked to the Foxes, both with similar names, both from RC Strasbourg.
Habib Diallo has been a long-term admiration of the King Power side. The 26-year-old striker is seen as an impressive, not too expensive, forward option. However, the club have never moved for the attacker, as our partnership of Kelechi Iheanacho, Jamie Vardy, and Daka is certainly good enough.
This being said, should one leave or soon retire, having a ready-made replacement would not be a bad thing. Diallo has featured 30 times this season, scoring 12 and assisting twice for the French club. Though not prolific, his contributions are fine. Fine is also how his SmarterScout ratings appear. A 77/100 score in attacking quality, 70/100 in aerial challenging, and a 68/100 in propensity to shoot.
However, Diallo other stylistic attributes are abysmal: 10/100 in ball retention (he loses the ball or gives it away) and 0/100 in defensive quality. This player is not involved enough or good enough to justify any transfer.
Meanwhile, his teammate Habib Diarra is another story. 18-years-old, a progressive and possessive midfielder, and a breakout star in his first set of senior appearances for Strasbourg. To be blunt, he is no Tielemans replacement.
If the Foxes are looking for a first team player, this is not the one. However, stylistically he is perfect for Rodgers’ system. As once again shown by his SmarterScout ratings: 89/100 in retention, 82/100 in link-up play, and 80/100 in aerial challenging. Remember, these ratings are benchmarked against the Premier League talent pool.
Those are exceptional ratings. In essence, Diarra collects the ball from deep, marches it forward, and carries one or two passes with teammates to help take the ball forward while not losing it. A true box-to-box talent. The only element not present in his game is goalscoring acumen, but that can come with time.
A move for this player would not be amiss with myself. However, he would have to be sent on loan immediately to ensure his development does not halt due to a lack of game time. Afterall, we already have Boubakary Soumare for that role.