Rodgers sends transfer hint to Leicester owner regarding loanee

Leicester City head coach Brendan Rodgers has commented on the lacklustre transfer window following the 2-2 draw with Brentford. Here is an update.

The 2-2 effective defeat at the hands of Brentford was a disappointing beginning to the 22/23 campaign. The King Power side would have hoped for much more considering they were 2-0 up at one point.

However, we know that the awfully strange formation deployed by Rodgers was not originally intended. The Foxes were working on a 4-3-3 formation throughout pre-season, yet were unable to deploy as such as their main winger – Harvey Barnes – is out with an injury.

Many supporters will feel vindicated for their dismay at an abysmally slow transfer saga: we should have signed at least one winger. Even when fully fit, the only out and out wingers at the club are Barnes and Marc Albrighton.

Rodgers drops Leicester City transfer hint

We also know that the Northern Irish gaffer feels the same way. The gaffer was expecting a much improved squad in lieu of the 21/22 disappointment, yet the Foxes are still the only side in the top leagues to not recruit a single player.

Despite the tedious window, there was at least one winger supporters felt was definitely to be signed. Clearly, Rodgers again felt the same way as we did regarding a former Leicester loanee. As per LeicestershireLive:

"“I would have loved to have signed Ademola who was great here last season and got over 10 goals and assists but we weren’t able to do that”"

The head coach wanted to sign Ademola Lookman on a permanent deal from RB Leipzig after a terrific season on loan with the King Power club. It is rather unsurprising that supporters also wanted to see ‘Ade’ remain a fox: last season, he was the only player to successfully beat the juggernaut that is Virgil Van Dijk and helped us defeat Liverpool.

In fact, using Understat, we can illustrate just how impactful the young winger was for the Foxes. With an xG90 + xA90 of 0.40 in the Premier League, comparing to 0.46 for Barnes and 0.44 for James Maddison. The 24-year-old was clearly good enough for the starting XI.

"“Unfortunately that means we then have to look at the squad and the team and try to adapt, and then put them out to be as best organised as they can be”"

Without signing the winger, Leicester are forced to utilise a different system to get our best players working well together. As such, players have to perform a knee jerk adaptation and alter their game. They should not have to do this.

Lookman would have made a brilliant permanent addition. Adored by supporters, clearly talented, and perfectly suited to the style of play developed by Rodgers. At the bare minimum, Ade offered an option different from Barnes: a more retentive ball player with better defensive attributes.