Leicester City fans will have welcomed the World Cup as some respite from the agony that has been regularly served up at the King Power over the past couple of seasons.
Back-to-back relegations have slapped the Foxes in the face, with Russell Martin now left to pick up the pieces in League One and hopefully steer the one-time Premier League champions back on course.
While the King Power masses would have loved the free-flowing nature of England's 4-2 win over Croatia, if they're a follower of the Three Lions, having been subject to the boring style of play Gary Rowett favoured, the Ghana 0-0 draw would have been an unwelcome result amid all the off-season entertainment.
It was a shock result after England's high-octane showing against the Croats, but Leicester fans watching on would not have been stunned by Jordan Ayew's display for Carlos Queiroz's stern side, as he struggled to get going up top, while the Black Stars defended so valiantly.
Ayew's no-show displays at the World Cup
At 34 years of age, and after a miserable six-goal season in the Championship, Ayew would count himself a lucky boy to be featuring for his nation at the World Cup.
Queiroz likely selected him for his wealth of experience on the international stage, with 120 caps under his belt for Ghana, as it's evidently clear now he wasn't hoisted into the Black Stars camp for his ability in front of goal, based on his no-show performances against Panama and England.
Ayew has never actually found the back of the net at a World Cup, despite eight career appearances in the famed tournament under his belt, and he didn't trouble Panama and England one bit, with zero shots attempted in either Group L showdown.
Ayew's poor World Cup numbers (Panama + England):
Stat | Ayew |
|---|---|
Games played | 2 |
Minutes played | 154 |
Goals | 0 |
Assists | 0 |
Shots on goal | 0 |
His international teammate, and fellow Leicester attacker, Abdul Fatawu, has fared better, with the 22-year-old's late runouts in both contests gifting Ghana some much-needed energy, away from the sluggish Ayew.
Only popping up with 64 touches combined, alongside giving away a possession costly 31 times, it will be no surprise to Leicester fans watching on that the one-time Crystal Palace forward is a detriment for his nation, as he has long been an unlikeable figure in domestic action.
Scoring only 12 goals from 80 Leicester appearances, the veteran attacker will, thankfully, no longer be the Foxes' problem, as his contract at the King Power expires imminently.
He's no longer Leicester's problem
Indeed, he will no longer be tied down to the Midlands giants come the 30th of June, with a new contract, unsurprisingly, not coming his way.
The 34-year-old will be on the hunt for a fresh club post the World Cup, therefore, and on his showings so far, he's not exactly going to have teams queueing up for his lacklustre services.
Foxes supporters will be hoping that Ayew is swiftly forgotten about, as the striker department at the League One giants is given a much-needed makeover, with lethal centre-forwards such as Lorent Tolaj rumoured to be on their shopping list.
Bagging a red-hot 18 third tier goals last season, it would be a statement signing if pulled off, as Leicester enter into a new, expectant era.
While Tolaj still possesses that hunger and drive to collect goals, Ayew will surely be contemplating retirement now, with his legs gone for both club and country.
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