Gillingham 0-1 Leicester: FA Cup player ratings
By Ethan Henson
Jannik Vestergaard – 7
Another seldom seen face this season has been Leicester centre-back Jannik Vestergaard, effectively banished from Brendan Rodgers’ Premier League plans after some highly-criticised displays in the last campaign. The Dane made his third appearance of the season today, and equipped himself well as City got the job done with a professional performance.
All of Vestergaard’s performances in 2022/23 have come against League Two opposition, with Stockport County and Newport County brushed aside in the Carabao Cup as part of the club’s run to the quarter-final stage. There were opportunities for the centre-back to leave the King Power in the summer, which he reportedly turned down – and his shortage of game time ultimately cost him a place at the World Cup.
An composed performance against Gillingham will do little to improve Vestergaard’s standing in the club hierarchy, but his assuredness in possession and relationship with fellow defenders might at least go some way to pacifying the resentment felt towards the game by a section of the club’s supporters.
Caglar Soyuncu – 7
Alongside Vestergaard was fellow bit-part performer for this season Caglar Soyuncu, who put in an equally measured and routine performance. There was a shaky start for the Turkish international, who after so long on the sidelines could have been forgiven for some early rustiness.
The No.4 grew into the game from the early stages, and formed a good relationship with Vestergaard and youngster Lewis Brunt. As with the former, Soyuncu’s exploits at the Priestfield Stadium are unlikely to alter his manager’s short term Premier League plans, but any solid performances can at least serve a reminder of his capabilities.
The BBC’s match commentator Jonathan Pearce referenced that Soyuncu is surely entering the final six months of his City career, with contract expiration just around the corner. The legacy he holds has soured in recent months since his poor showing in defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season, and there are even rumours circulating that he could be heading to Atletico de Madrid as early as this month.