Soumare to get Leicester chance following Ndidi injury

After hovering around the first XI with a recently fresh opportunity to impress from manager Brendan Rodgers, Boubakary Soumare is likely to receive a proper Leicester City chance following a Wilfred Ndidi injury.

Over the summer there was plenty of talk suggesting that Soumare would depart Filbert Way for playing time elsewhere. Then a huge U-turn revealed by Rodgers informed Foxes fans of new plans for the Frenchman.

At the time, the Northern Irishman claimed that his player wasn’t convinced offers from other clubs were to his advantage. Consequently Rodgers said Soumare wanted to prove himself and didn’t want his disappointing year at King Power Stadium to be the ‘end of the story’.

Much of the Blue Army appeared pleased with the defensive midfielder’s decision and the outcome involving the now under pressure LCFC boss. I have outlined this view many times before: the athlete has pedigree and could become a quality Premier League asset.

Unfortunately for Leicester, another mistake was initially made by the former Liverpool gaffer regarding the Paris Saint-Germain youth product: an attempt to redesign his preferred position. Rodgers wanted Soumare to go from a DM with playing ability into a box surging No.8. While a change from a No.6 to that position isn’t at all drastic – and to my knowledge the best CMs would possess both sets of qualities anyway – the alteration was unnecessary.

Changing the Noisy-le-Sec-born man was especially unneeded as he was coming into the most demanding division on the planet at a relatively young age. In spite of class, moulding at PSG and experience with the illustrious France Under-21s, ‘Bouba’ was unable to supply the goal involvements of Rodgers’ peculiar expectations.

I am not suggesting the footballer is incapable of evolving, but he had his own style: nurture was probably more suitable than adjustment. Although, Soumare should now be able to showcase his true talent in the appropriate role.

Boubakary Soumare will get Leicester City chance after Wilfred Ndidi injury

Sadly Ndidi has sustained an injury with the Nigeria national team, presumably whilst training. This is obviously bad news for LCFC because the Nigerian is outstanding on his day. Additionally, Foxes of Leicester wish for fitness throughout the side.

However, Ndidi has not been his usual self since returning from injury in the not too distant past; Rodgers using him as an unwarranted centreback didn’t help matters. Therefore some Foxes supporters were already calling for Papy Mendy or Soumare to replace their teammate. The latter has improved in his displays this season.