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0-shot, 0-key passes, 8-Possession lost what a FLOP must Ditch immediately”- It’s clear 21-touch Leicester City ace now useless at pitch isn’t good enough, Ruud van Nistelrooy told must act quickly to replace him
Leicester City’s battle for Premier League survival took a significant hit after their 3-1 loss to Liverpool. Facing a Reds side in top form under new manager Arne Slot, the Foxes always knew it would be a tough challenge. However, the defeat saw Leicester drop into the relegation zone for the first time since Ruud van Nistelrooy replaced Steve Cooper as manager.
Despite conceding three goals on his Premier League debut, goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk impressed Van Nistelrooy with his performance. Meanwhile, Leicester fans were puzzled by Jordan Ayew’s inclusion in the starting lineup on December 26, but Ayew proved his worth by scoring the opening goal.
On the other hand, Patson Daka’s performance left much to be desired, further highlighting the need for a replacement when the winter transfer window opens. Jamie Vardy remains Leicester’s top scorer this season with six goals, but he missed the Liverpool match due to injury. This gave Daka the chance to start in the league for the first time this season, though his display was underwhelming.
Patson Daka’s performance against Liverpool:
Minutes played: 90
Shots: 0
Dribble attempts (successful): 1 (0)
Touches: 21
Key passes: 0
Duels (won): 7 (2)
Possession lost: 8
Sofascore rating: 6.3 (joint lowest in the team)
Van Nistelrooy acknowledged that Daka’s performance against Liverpool showed he may not be ready for regular Premier League action. Daka scored just four goals in 30 appearances during Leicester’s relegation season in 2022/23, and the club could be headed for the same fate if he isn’t replaced in January.
Van Nistelrooy has recently spoken about his current striker options, suggesting that a decision might be made regarding Odsonne Edouard’s future, as he is taking up a loan spot without seeing much game time. He explained: “We have three number nines—Jamie (Vardy), Patson, and Edou. Each week, we make decisions on which strikers to include in the squad. Currently, Jamie and Patson have been selected, but Edou is fit and training, so that could change at any time.”
He added: “It’s clear that players need to have a role, and with Odsonne’s situation, we need to address it closely. We’ll look at that as a priority.”
If Edouard returns to Crystal Palace in January, Leicester could open up a spot for a new striker, something that is becoming increasingly necessary given Daka’s recent performance against Liverpool.
