Why Leicester want overlooked Caglar Söyüncü to sign a new contract

Leicester City are in contract talks with wantaway and overlooked star Caglar Söyüncü. Here is why the side want to renew the forgotten centre-back.

Just a few seasons ago, one could be forgiven for stating the Turkish international as one of the first names on the Foxes’ starting line-up. He was ever present in a side pushing for European football multiple times. He was heralded as being better than Harry Maguire, and brought a certain strength to the defensive back line.

However, since then, the former star fell from grace in a most startling fashion. You will remember the Bournemouth 0-4 defeat where ‘Cags’ kicked a player and was sent off, you will remember the incessant defensive injuries which left a leaderless Turk leading a back line sporadically with DM Wilfred Ndidi or – at that time – only just returning Daniel Amartey. He appeared inconsistent.

So then, clearly the best option is to offload the fallen star and star afresh with new talent, and possibly even promote a youth player or so to take up that spot. Well, that was the thought just a few months ago. It seems Brendan Rodgers has a different idea along with their transfer agenda.

Leicester City want to renew for these reasons

To be honest, there might be two reasons Rodgers will want to keep the Turkish ‘CB’ at the club. Firstly, the former heights show promise for a player entering into the prime of their career: experienced but still athletic. Secondly, transfer value.

I think the latter point is simple. Söyüncü’s contract is expiring, meaning any team could start preparing to sign the player with no compensation for the Foxes. This would be catastrophic. Alongside the Youri Tielemans debacle, losing a player they have spent so much on both in signing fee and wages would sting. A new deal would mean they could at least fetch a decent signing on fee for what is still a great player.

And that is the former reason: Cags is still good. According to FB Ref, on the basis of his very limited playtime in the last 365 days, the 26-year-old still ranks in the 98th percentile for both aerial duels won and blocks made. There remains the strong defensive and disruptive instinct which saw the player as our most important for some time.

Rodgers believes injuries, a poor showing at the Euros in 2021, and a general knock to his confidence led to poorer showings in training and inconsistent performances on the pitch. As such, the head coach has favoured the less gifted Amartey instead.

Personally, I believe a string of games alongside the infinitely superior Wout Faes would help bring the Turkish international back into the team and also improve his game. They would be a strong, proactive back line, and that might improve the chances of a new deal. No more game time would only strengthen the argument there is no reason for the player to sign the new deal.