Three Foxes who impressed as Leicester thrash Hull
By Ethan Henson
Leicester City picked up their first pre-season victory yesterday evening with a comprehensive 4-0 thrashing of Hull City at the MKM Stadium. After defeat to Notts County and being held to a 3-3 draw with OH Leuven, it was an important result to remind observers that this Foxes squad is brimmed with quality and capable of putting together convincing performances.
Patson Daka gave the East Midlanders the lead in the first period, before two quick fire goals from Harvey Barnes and Wesley Fofana at the beginning of the second half put the result beyond doubt. James Maddison added brilliant fourth late on, to the delight of the travelling Blue Army. Brendan Rodgers will be encouraged by the ease with which his players brushed aside the Tigers, and here at Foxes of Leicester we decided to focus on three players who particularly impressed.
Leicester City’s Boubakary Soumare
As the Frenchman was preparing for the fixture, more concrete rumours regarding his future began to swirl around social media, with reputable sources suggesting a loan move to AS Monaco was edging closer. This might have spurred the midfielder on, whose performance as a second half substitute took many by surprise.
The lack of urgency out of possession and laboured running style he exhibited in parts of last season seemed to have departed, as he hustled and harried in a meaningful press, and when the ball was won back, he was effective in possession. Soumare had a hand in the second goal, playing a neat 1-2 with James Maddison that started well inside his own half, surging into Hull territory, and bursting past three Tigers players before setting up Barnes to score.
It’s unclear what the 2022/23 season will look like for the former Lille man, but if he was to depart, Brendan Rodgers must make sure it’s only on a loan basis. Soumare has all the necessary attributes to be a top Premier League midfielder, and a year’s stint back in Ligue 1 could be what’s needed for all parties. In giving up on him after just 12 months, the club risks the pain of seeing someone they let go turning into an important player elsewhere.