Leicester and three other EPL clubs reportedly target striker

Leicester City continue to search for budget signings to strengthen the squad. An unlikely link is to Ludovic Ajorque. Here are Foxes of Leicester’s thoughts.

For those who would like to skip the whole article, here is the verdict: the King Power club should not go anywhere near signing this forward. It is so much a terrible prospect that we can suspect the story to be largely fiction.

Nevertheless, it has been reported that Leicester – alongside Wolves, Everton, and Brentford – are interested in Ajorque: an experienced French striker from RC Strasbourg. For the Foxes’ supposed competition, each are in need of a striker as cover. However, for the King Power club, we already have three first team quality forwards.

What Leicester City must know

Statistically, the 28-year-old is most impressive. When I mean that, I mean 12 goals and eight assists in the 21/22 season. Even when the forward performs worse, he is still capable of getting goals in a variety of situations.

On top of this, his combined xG90 and xA90 reaches 0.63 according to Understat. These are excellent figures. Playing regularly in Ligue 1, with a less creative side, yet being both a creative and clinical attacker is certainly important.

Ajorque is a brilliant attacker. His style is that of a target man: tall, strong, and clinical. The Frenchman is often making chances for others, or using an instinct to get on the end of almost any chance.

Another major positive can be identified through both SofaScore and FBRef rankings. Seldom does a striker – so forward and so disillusioned from the defensive outlet of the side – achieve high rankings in tackling stats.

The French attacker makes 1.0 tackles per game (not reflecting the actual quantity) which ranks him in the 98th percentile of all forwards. Couple that with being in the 91st percentile for aerial duels, and we see a strong player who contributes from set pieces and in defensive situations.

An unlikely signing

At around £18m, the striker is not cheap. Although no expensive for many Premier League clubs, Leicester City could invest those finances into other positions: such as a right-winger. After all, that is where we have a gap in the senior XI.

The Foxes already have three first team quality strikers. Jamie Vardy, Patson Daka, and Kelechi Iheanacho are brilliant and offer plenty of options and future potential. Further, the Frenchman is similar in style to ‘Nacho’ – who is younger and was still expensive.

To sign a new player, while we have clear gaps in the side, too many players to register, and already too many deadwood players on large wages, would be incompetent. It would also offend the very long-term vision the King Power club have adopted for a long while.

Leicester will not sign this player. However, should Nacho depart, Ajorque would not be a bad addition should his wages be comparatively low. What do you think, should City sign him?