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“Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Controversial Reason for Substituting Leicester Star Bilal El Khannouss Revealed
Ruud van Nistelrooy has now clarified the reason behind his decision to substitute Leicester City attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss during their 2-0 loss to Fulham.
El Khannouss, who started for the ninth consecutive Premier League match, was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise lackluster performance.
The 20-year-old Moroccan appeared to be the most likely player to create something in the second half. Having joined Leicester for £21m in the summer, El Khannouss has quickly become a fan favorite at the King Power Stadium.
However, his game was cut short in the 64th minute when he was replaced by Kasey McAteer, leading to boos from the frustrated home crowd.
Van Nistelrooy Explains the Substitution
After the match, Van Nistelrooy addressed the boos, explaining his decision to substitute El Khannouss. In a post-match interview with Leicestershire Live, he said: “I noticed the boos for the substitution, and that’s fine.
You have to accept it, and I do. My substitutions are made to impact the game, whether it’s based on physicality, the player’s profile, or the opposition. If it wasn’t well-received this time, I’ll take responsibility for that.”
Although Leicester were trailing and could have benefitted from keeping El Khannouss on the pitch, Van Nistelrooy also emphasized the importance of giving other players a chance to contribute, describing them as valuable members of the squad. He added: “Just because the crowd boos a substitution doesn’t mean I need to explain every reason behind it. It’s not for the public to know. I have respect for the players who come on. They are valuable members of the squad and deserve minutes to help the team. It’s not about one player.”
Risk of Losing El Khannouss if Leicester Are Relegated
At just 20, El Khannouss is quickly developing into one of Leicester’s standout talents. If the club faces relegation, they risk losing him, as well as other key players like Mads Hermansen and Abdul Fatawu. El Khannouss has stood out this season, combining excellent ball control and attacking flair. According to FBref, he ranks in the top 7% of Premier League midfielders for progressive passes per 90 minutes, the top 9% for passes attempted, and the top 10% for tackles.
El Khannouss has emerged as one of Leicester’s most valuable assets, and if the team is relegated, his future at the club could be in jeopardy.
