Things to know about Leicester transfer target Khedira

Leicester City are searching for their Youri Tielemans replacement ahead of his contract expiring. Here is what you need to know about target Rani Khedira.

As the summer slowly approaches, the King Power club will be looking to sign several players as several contracts are set to expire. This includes the Belgian ‘Starman’ who we have yet to properly replace his role. His role is that of a progressive midfielder, though he has been used more defensively in recent months.

According to reports, the Foxes are interested in defensive-minded midfielder Khedira whose contract is also expiring. The German is not looking at signing a new deal at Union Berlin, so will be involved in contract talks with Newcastle United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and the King Power club.

Leicester City’s what to know about Rani Khedira

The player is an interesting choice as a target to say the least. To an extent, my research leads me to disbelief on the story. The three things I like to convey are the player’s position, stylistic role, and value, as these are the primary elements we look for in a signing.

Regarding his position, the German midfielder is purely a defensive midfielder, barely playing further ahead. In fact, I would contend the player more of a Wilfred Ndidi rotation than a Tielemans replacement.

Stylistically, his FB Ref rankings paint a stark picture: he is within the 76th percentile for interceptions, 73rd for tackling, but only 3rd for progressive passing and 7th for shot creating actions. A defender in midfield and that is it.

The player would be available on a free, but to be frank we do have Papy Mendy who can be kept in the team. It is not even close how much of a more complete and useful player the Senegalese international is. Honestly, I have no idea why the Foxes would look to a defensive midfielder when they already have Mendy, Ndidi, and Boubakary Soumare who can play that role.

So, although I cannot agree with signing the German international, he certainly is a strong midfielder who can offer Brendan Rodgers another option over the Nigerian or Senegalese. Plus, the player does not suffer too much in terms of discipline.