Leicester interested in Brazilian winger – FoL’s take
Leicester City are reportedly interested in Brazilian winger Tete. Here is what you need to know and our take on the impressive talent.
The King Power club are 14th in the Premier League with 18 points gained, with 28 goals scored, 35 conceded over 20 matches played. 10th on goals for, 2nd worst on goals against. It is clear the Foxes need to be more clinical – especially with missed chances for Harvey Barnes and Jamie Vardy – and more defensively resilient.
Our head of transfers – Jon Rudkin – has already secured the signing of Victor Kristiansen. The Danish left-back is a young and promising talent, although not an experienced elite. The side are also targeting a CB and a RW to improve the first team squad.
Read. Leicester 2-2 Brighton: 3 things FoL learned. light
What to know about Leicester City target, Tete
When discussing any player, I like to ensure we know the positionality, stylistic preference, and value of the possible signing – this Brazilian certainly ticks a lot of those boxes. A left-footed out and out right-winger who cuts inside and blasts shots past ‘keepers: a prolific, goal-scoring forward.
But do not take my work for it: FB Ref concur. The 22-year-old is within the 80th percentile for non-penalty xG, 91st for assists, 84th for dribbling, 77th for progressive passing, 86th for interceptions, 76th for interceptions – wow. A progressive, high-pressing, team-working, technically gifted, and explosive winger: picture perfect.
Further, it is interesting to note the price of the player: £17.5m is the reported fee Lyon have to pay Shakhtar Donetsk as their option to buy should they wish to do so. As such, Leicester would have to pay that plus a bit extra to Lyon. So, we could be looking around £20-25m in transfer fee, which is honestly not that bad.
Our opinion
Leicester City need great reinforcements in defence and attack. Further, they need to start letting go off driftwood and deadwood talents that are still rotting away on the bench. Tete is clearly a massive upgrade on anything we have.
Bringing in such a player will let Brendan Rodgers move James Maddison into his traditional ‘CAM’ position, alongside the explosive Barnes, Patson Daka, and a new prolific RW. A creative, explosive, high-pressing attack: it is what we need, no more Ayoze Perez or Cengiz Under.
Next. Leicester 2-2 Brighton: Foxes player ratings. dark
Although I wished the Foxes had gone in more for Dango Ouattara, this is the next big transfer. Throw that Nico Gonzalez money at Lyon and Shakhtar, sign Tete.