Concrete Interest: Leicester Eyeing “Exceptional” £8m Talent as Tielemans 2.0 – Opinion
For Leicester City fans, the glory days of lifting the FA Cup and Premier League titles seem like a distant memory.
During that golden period, the East Midlands underdogs captured the hearts of football fans worldwide.
However, as the new campaign begins, supporters packing into the King Power Stadium are now hoping merely to avoid relegation, with Steve Cooper at the helm aiming to keep the club in the top flight.
Leicester could potentially rekindle some of their past magic, especially with a new signing who might emerge as the next Youri Tielemans. The club is actively searching for a midfielder to bolster their squad, reminiscent of their triumphant days.
According to Belgian outlet Het Laatste Nieuws, relayed by Sport Witness, Leicester has shown ‘concrete interest’ in Royal Antwerp’s Mandela Keita this summer. Cooper aims to strengthen the midfield, and Keita could be the perfect addition.
However, the Foxes face competition from Rennes and Fiorentina, who are also keen on the 22-year-old Belgian international after his impressive season.
Leicester might need to offer around £8 million, Keita’s estimated market value according to Football Transfers, to secure this promising talent.
Why Keita could be the next Tielemans
Like Tielemans, who transitioned from the Jupiler Pro League to become a key player for Leicester, Keita has the potential to make a significant impact.
Tielemans, now with Aston Villa, became a fan favorite at Leicester, notably for his stunning goal against Chelsea in the 2021 FA Cup final. While Keita may not be as offensively inclined, his tenacity and energy make him a valuable asset in midfield.
Keita’s playing style focuses on breaking up play and maintaining possession, traits that could see him thrive in Cooper’s system.
Last season, he averaged an impressive 5.9 duels won per game in Belgium. This battling nature, coupled with his ability to retain possession, could see him form a formidable partnership with Wilfried Ndidi.
While Ndidi might push forward, Keita would excel in a holding role, ensuring stability in the midfield.
Keita’s assuredness on the ball is another parallel to Tielemans. Tielemans left Leicester with an 82% pass accuracy in his final Premier League season, a standard Keita could aspire to.
Described as an “exceptional” talent by U23 football scout Antonio Mango after earning his first national cap, Keita appears ready for a significant move.
If Leicester secures his services, he could follow in Tielemans’ footsteps, developing into a key player for the Foxes.
In summary, Leicester City’s current situation may be a far cry from their days of lifting major trophies, but the potential signing of Mandela Keita offers hope.
By adding the tenacious and skillful midfielder, Leicester could strengthen their squad and perhaps turn back the clock to their previous successes.
With Steve Cooper’s guidance and strategic signings like Keita, the Foxes might navigate their way back to glory.
