Leicester City Striker Proves Ruud van Nistelrooy Was Right to Pass on Him – Time to Sell
Another Summer of Change Looms for Leicester City
Whether Leicester City end the season as a Premier League club or return to the Championship remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: changes are inevitable.
Players on high wages will likely be offloaded, while talents such as Mads Hermansen and summer signing Bilal El Khannouss may attract interest from bigger clubs.
Additionally, some players who have been given multiple opportunities but failed to meet expectations could be shown the door.
Patson Daka fits this category. With just one goal all season, his struggles highlight why Ruud van Nistelrooy was right to avoid signing him while managing PSV.
Daka’s Missed Opportunity
When Daka joined Leicester in 2021, he was considered one of football’s brightest young prospects.
He had been prolific at Red Bull Salzburg, a team that also nurtured Erling Haaland, making him a sought-after player among Europe’s elite clubs.
Ultimately, he chose Leicester, with many believing he would be Jamie Vardy’s long-term successor. However, that expectation has not materialized.
Van Nistelrooy, speaking after a win against West Ham United during his tenure, shared his thoughts on Daka:
“At a younger age, when he was at Salzburg, I was following him already. I was very interested in him when I was PSV manager, to be honest.
I think he’s got great potential. That’s what he showed in Austria, scoring a lot of goals, assisting a lot.
It’s something that I saw in him. He’s only going to get better, I think, developing him on a daily basis. He’s got a lot of potential.”
Unfortunately, that potential has not translated into consistent performances at Leicester.
Time to Move On
While some players need time to adapt to new surroundings, Daka has now been at Leicester for four years, and his impact remains minimal.
His standout moment was a four-goal haul against Spartak Moscow in the Europa League, but beyond that, he has failed to secure a regular starting spot.
Vardy has continued to lead the line, keeping Daka on the fringes.
Meanwhile, 16-year-old Jake Evans is emerging as a promising talent.
Over the weekend, he scored a hat-trick for the U21s and was included in the first-team squad against Manchester United.
Many now see him as Vardy’s true successor.
With younger players pushing through, Daka’s time at Leicester appears to be nearing its end.
He still holds some market value, and while he won’t be remembered as one of the club’s worst signings, he certainly won’t go down as a successful one either.
A summer departure seems the best option for both the player and the club.
