Why Daka should leave Leicester as negotiations begin
Unsurprisingly the Leicester City squad under Enzo Maresca is looking remarkably different to the one that was relegated from the Premier League last season. Many players who were once vital for the Foxes’ two fifth place finishes and FA Cup triumph have since left the East Midlands club.
While many new faces are being brought in, as Maresca slowly moulds his side into what should on paper, be a dead set for automatic promotion back to the top flight. With Maresca himself saying he plans to bring in another three players – having already signed six – before the end of the window it will be no shock that LCFC will be looking to offload some personal, who are not in the new managers plans.
One player that comes under this bracket, is Zambian international Patson Daka. It has been reported by the French newspaper L’equipe, that the Ligue 1 side AS Monaco are interested in the striker. As cheaper alternative to Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun, whom the North London side are valuing at around 40 million Euros. Daka would likely cost the French side less than half of that with City’s valuation being a lot more reasonable.
The centre-forward joined the Foxes from Red Bull Salzburg back in the summer of 2020 and had a successful first season with the side. Including a record-breaking four-goal European performance – the only ever Leicester City player to score four goals in a European game – away at Spartak Moscow. It seemed that LCFC had found themselves a potential successor to the legendary Jamie Vardy due to their similar profiles as players. However, Daka’s follow-up season was much to be desired, scoring only four goals in 36 appearances for the club. The forward struggled to find any form and really struggled with the physical demands of playing as a lone striker in the Premier League.
This now brings us to the season currently upon us, it was clear early that Daka was not a part of Maresca’s plans this season due to what is required of the centre-forward in the manager’s system. They must have sharp and concise link-up play, while also the ability to play on the half time and create opportunities for others. This is essentially the very opposite of what the 24-year-old does best. He is most effective on the shoulder of the last man stretching defences. Which seems to be the role of the wingers more so in Leicester City’s offensive structure.
If Daka did have the technical ability the be able to play in that wide area, then he would likely have a place in the new boss’ plans. But since that is not the case, it would be best for both parties for a sale of the striker to be made with Daka also being an individual that still clearly has a substantial market for his goal-scoring services.
In hindsight it is unlikely that fans or the club itself will see this transfer as a complete failure. The Zambian showed flashes of goal-scoring brilliance here and there that justified the money the Foxes’ spent on the player. But for the reasons listed above the striker’s tenure at the East Midlands club does seem to have run its course.
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A player who was immediately a fan-favourite amongst the club, many will be sad to see him leave. More than likely due to imagining of what could have been. I have little to no doubt that whoever purchases Daka will be reaping the rewards and then some of a player who shows the club and fans tremendous passion as well as a desire to score goals that can match anyone. I think there is no doubt that LCFC fans and the club will wish him all the best.