The 2010/11 Championship campaign has seen Leicester use over 35 different players over the course of the season. But which players would Sven-Goran Eriksson do well to keep at the Walkers Stadium next year? Who would bring that extra something to a team with Premier League ambition? Fans may be expecting a busy summer, but will there be fresh faces all around?
This is the first part of a look at a certain set of players who Sven will be considering whether or not to bring back for next season’s promotion push – the loan players.
Kyle Naughton
Parent club: Tottenham Hotspur
Age: 22 years
33 caps, 5 goals this season
Verdict
The Tottenham loanee has enjoyed a fantastic season at Leicester City, scoring five times from the full-back position (although pushing forward with such energy in attack he appears confident enough at times to be a winger) and winning the Young Player of the Season award for the Foxes. His defending is solid and he makes very few mistakes. He extended his initial loan spell from January until the end of the season, which is an indication of him being happy at Leicester. Most fans would be delighted to see Naughton back at the club next season and, as Spurs have strength in depth in the right back position, there is a real possibility.
However, the pull of the Premier League may be too tempting for such a young talent. Recently promoted Queens Park Rangers are rumoured to be interested, while a recent call up to the provisional England U21 squad will have a number of other managers turning their heads. Eriksson is likely to put in a bid for Naughton during the summer, but he could be heading to the top flight.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Sven-Goran Eriksson should certainly be considering bringing Naughton in on a permanent deal.
Ben Mee
Parent club: Manchester City
Age: 21 years
10 caps this season
Verdict
The Manchester City youngster had a terrible start to his loan spell at the Walkers Stadium. In his first game, he gave away two penalties (one after less than a minute) and on another day may have been issued a red card. Since then, Mee has worked tirelessly to prove his critics wrong and done so with real gusto. You will never see him duck out of a challenge and is great in the air for a comparatively short centre-half.
Aged 21, he has a good future ahead of him. But with the financial situation as strong as it is at Manchester City and their ability to attract world class players (this ability will only grow with Champions League football being on the cards next season), his future may well be away from Eastlands. Leicester are thin on central defenders (especially with Alexsandar Tunchev’s future at the club uncertain) and Ben Mee is a raw talent who can adapt to play left-back if required.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Mee could quite easily develop into a starting centre back at Leicester. Sven may consider a season long loan for the Sale born defender which would allow him to develop.
Miguel Vitor
Parent club: Benfica
Age: 21
15 caps, 3 goals this season
Verdict
Although Vitor was one of Paulo Sousa’s signings, the Portuguese defender played sparingly in the opening stages of the season. After scoring his first goal for the club in 2010 against Barnsley, Vitor’s season was marred by a hamstring injury that saw him sidelined for months. Since returning, he has been used in rotation and generally impressed as a solid centre-half.
It seems strange that Sven announced that he was interested in signing Vitor as he dropped the 21 year old one game after he scored a brace. It is difficult to understand how highly he is rated because of this. But, as mentioned earlier, Leicester are thin on centre-backs and Vitor would fit into the Foxes’ style of football nicely. He is always a threat from set pieces too; his three goals have come from either free kicks or corners.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Sven should consider making Vitor a permanent Leicester player this summer – if his current injury is not too serious.
Patrick Van Aanholt
Parent club: Chelsea
Age: 20
11 caps, 1 goal this season
Verdict
Van Aanholt has had an inconsistent loan spell due to injury – he missed six weeks with a torn thigh muscle in February. Since joining Chelsea in 2009, he has played only twice for them and has undergone loan spells at Coventry, Newcastle and now Leicester. Dubbed as ‘the next Ashley Cole’, the Dutchman is a real talent pushing forward although at times his defending has left little to be desired.
Van Aanholt has certainly improved on that side of the ball and his attacking play is a genuine threat to other sides. But Sven has been critical of his defence this season for letting in too many goals, and whether he has done enough to impress Eriksson to bring him back next season is unclear. Chelsea will probably make the decision for him anyway, and there is little chance of a permanent move in that respect.
Stay or Go?
Go. Van Aanholt would get games regularly at Leicester if he were brought back on loan next season, but Sven may look for a more experienced head at left-back.
Diomansy Kamara
Parent Club: Fulham
Age: 30
7 caps, 2 goals this season
Verdict
After moving to Craven Cottage in 2007, the Senegalese striker has played just 59 games for Fulham and found himself out of favour this season, falling down the pecking order dramatically. However, his three seasons at West Bromwich Albion make it clear that he is an experienced player at this level but does still have Premier League ability – which has been demonstrated in his brief spell at the Walkers Stadium.
Kamara can tear sides apart when he has a good day. Has a slight tendency to go missing when he has a bad day. But he has indicated that he wishes to return next season, and his performance in the end of season clash with Ipswich Town was indicative of that. He has blistering pace despite being the wrong side of 30 and oozes confidence with his close control. He would be a fantastic addition to the squad and have the burning desire to make it to the Premier League with a new club.
Stay or Go?
Stay. Sven should be looking at making Kamara a permanent signing.
Yakubu
Parent club: Everton
Age: 28
20 caps, 11 goals this season
This is the interesting one of the bunch. Yakubu has spent a lot of time in the Premier League and his goal scoring record in that division has always been impressive. Since joining the Foxes in January this year, the Yak has scored 11 goals in 20 games. Most fans would be pleased with that, but many are frustrated with his reluctance to chase down every lost cause. That simply is not the type of player he is.
Yakubu believes his future does not lie at Goodison Park, and has stated that he would cherish a permanent move to Leicester. David Moyes is rumoured to want to cut his losses with the Nigerian so that Everton can restructure their wage bill for next season. Money is likely not to come into the equation at Leicester, and Yakubu could well be the 25 goal-a-season striker Leicester have yearned for during the last two seasons.
Stay or Go?
Stay. It is possible that Yakubu could be one of Leicester’s big summer deals.
Jeffrey Bruma
Parent club: Chelsea
Age: 19
10 caps, 2 goals this season
Verdict
Bruma has steadily improved during his loan spell and scored two wonder goals in the game against Burnley. Chelsea clearly rate him highly and he has made his full international debut for Holland at the age of 19. Sven also clearly rates the youngster, at times bravely starting him instead of a preferred option by the fans.
His naivety and immaturity has been shown at times, but he would be a strong squad player who can also play in midfield – arguably his better position. But with current depth in that position, it is more likely he would feature as a centre-back. Like Van Aanholt, a permanent transfer away from Stamford Bridge is unlikely. But a season long loan would allow Bruma to develop so much more – and he has expressed his interest to stay.
Verdict
Stay if possible - Sven clearly likes what he sees in this young prospect and he will only get better – if Chelsea are willing to loan him out again.
Part two will focus on a number of current Leicester City players whose future at the club remains uncertain and what their role may be next season.
Showing posts with label diomansy kamara. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diomansy kamara. Show all posts
Monday, 9 May 2011
Saturday, 7 May 2011
Leicester City 4 Ipswich Town 2 - 7th May 2011
Leicester City ended their season on a high note by beating a spirited Ipswich Town side in an entertaining match at the Walkers Stadium this afternoon.
Goals from Andy King, Yakubu and Yuki Abe had given the Foxes a comfortable advantage at the break, but Grant Leadbitter and Connor Wickham hit back for the visitors within the space of two second-half minutes.
Diomansy Kamara kept his nerve to convert from close range to thwart any further comeback and give Leicester their thirteenth home win of the season.
It was a fine display of football by both sides and Sven-Goran Eriksson will have been pleased that his side gave a good home performance despite falling short of the playoffs.
It was also the third game in their last four at the Walkers Stadium in which Leicester had scored four goals - and also meant that they ended the Championship campaign as the league’s highest goal scorers at home.
Ipswich should have taken the lead after just three minutes when a slip by Miguel Vitor gifted David Norris a glorious opportunity but the Ipswich skipper fired wide of the mark from twelve yards.
Leicester responded positively and came close themselves when recently-named player of the season Richie Wellens made a decent break from midfield before finding Yakubu on the edge of the area, but the Nigerian’s fierce strike flew just over the crossbar.
Yuki Abe was then on hand to make a goal line clearance from a corner kick before Chris Weale made a great double save from Connor Wickham’s long range strike and Jason Scotland’s follow up effort.
Ipswich would soon be made to pay for their missed chances as Leicester took the lead through Andy King who was picked out at the back post by Paul Gallagher’s brilliant cross with the Welshman on hand to head home his sixteenth goal of the season.
The goal came at a cost, however, as Darius Vassell picked up an injury in the process and was replaced by Diomansy Kamara – just before Miguel Vitor limped off for the home side and was replaced with fan-favourite Alexsandar Tunchev.
Tunchev was soon in the thick of the action in front of goal, turning Paul Gallagher’s free-kick goal bound and forcing former Leicester goalkeeper Marton Fulop into an acrobatic save.
Leicester did double their advantage three minutes before half-time when Andy King’s effort struck the woodwork but fell directly into the path of Yakubu who finished neatly to score his fourth goal in three games.
It was an instinctive finish from the Everton loanee who has been linked with a permanent move to the Walkers Stadium in the summer.
Jason Scotland then squandered another fine opportunity to grab a goal back for the Tractor Boys but his close range effort was again well saved by Chris Weale.
Leicester capitalised on another missed chance by the visitors in first-half stoppage time when Andy King’s pinpoint pass found Yuki Abe in acres of space who fired past Marton Fulop from eighteen yards for his first goal for the club.
It was a proud moment for the Japanese international and a well-deserved goal after a fine debut season for the Foxes.
Ipswich looked dead and buried at the break but came out firing on all cylinders in the second half with Connor Wickham firing just wide of the post.
The visitors were awarded a penalty on the hour mark when an Ipswich Town corner kick was cleared but adjudged to have struck the arm of Jeffrey Bruma, with Grant Leadbitter converting from the spot to give Paul Jewell’s men a lifeline.
Patrick Van Aanholt’s terrible back pass moments later then allowed Connor Wickham through on goal who fired past Chris Weale to make it 3-2.
It was a good finish by the England under-21 international and capped an all-round impressive display by the youngster.
Leicester soon restored their two-goal cushion after 72 minutes however through some excellent build-up play involving Yakubu and Patrick Van Aanholt on the left side of midfield which allowed the Dutchman to deliver a fine low ball into the penalty area, and although Andy King’s initial effort was blocked, Diomansy Kamara was on hand to fire home from close range and put the game beyond Ipswich.
It was a goal that also capped a fine performance by the Fulham loanee who appeared keen to impress the Leicester coaching staff, after also being linked with a full-time move to the East Midland in the summer.
The game began to die down after an end-to-end few minutes – although not before a tussle between Kamara and Grant Leadbitter following a foul on Yakubu that resulted in both players being cautioned.
Connor Wickham came close for the visitors in stoppage time after a mazy run but his shot flew wide of the near post.
The full-time whistle was followed by a lap of the pitch by both Leicester City players and staff, and Foxes fans left the Walkers Stadium mostly content after an entertaining season with plenty to look forward to over the summer.
Man of the Match – Andy King
Goals from Andy King, Yakubu and Yuki Abe had given the Foxes a comfortable advantage at the break, but Grant Leadbitter and Connor Wickham hit back for the visitors within the space of two second-half minutes.
Diomansy Kamara kept his nerve to convert from close range to thwart any further comeback and give Leicester their thirteenth home win of the season.
It was a fine display of football by both sides and Sven-Goran Eriksson will have been pleased that his side gave a good home performance despite falling short of the playoffs.
It was also the third game in their last four at the Walkers Stadium in which Leicester had scored four goals - and also meant that they ended the Championship campaign as the league’s highest goal scorers at home.
Ipswich should have taken the lead after just three minutes when a slip by Miguel Vitor gifted David Norris a glorious opportunity but the Ipswich skipper fired wide of the mark from twelve yards.
Leicester responded positively and came close themselves when recently-named player of the season Richie Wellens made a decent break from midfield before finding Yakubu on the edge of the area, but the Nigerian’s fierce strike flew just over the crossbar.
Yuki Abe was then on hand to make a goal line clearance from a corner kick before Chris Weale made a great double save from Connor Wickham’s long range strike and Jason Scotland’s follow up effort.
Ipswich would soon be made to pay for their missed chances as Leicester took the lead through Andy King who was picked out at the back post by Paul Gallagher’s brilliant cross with the Welshman on hand to head home his sixteenth goal of the season.
The goal came at a cost, however, as Darius Vassell picked up an injury in the process and was replaced by Diomansy Kamara – just before Miguel Vitor limped off for the home side and was replaced with fan-favourite Alexsandar Tunchev.
Tunchev was soon in the thick of the action in front of goal, turning Paul Gallagher’s free-kick goal bound and forcing former Leicester goalkeeper Marton Fulop into an acrobatic save.
Leicester did double their advantage three minutes before half-time when Andy King’s effort struck the woodwork but fell directly into the path of Yakubu who finished neatly to score his fourth goal in three games.
It was an instinctive finish from the Everton loanee who has been linked with a permanent move to the Walkers Stadium in the summer.
Jason Scotland then squandered another fine opportunity to grab a goal back for the Tractor Boys but his close range effort was again well saved by Chris Weale.
Leicester capitalised on another missed chance by the visitors in first-half stoppage time when Andy King’s pinpoint pass found Yuki Abe in acres of space who fired past Marton Fulop from eighteen yards for his first goal for the club.
It was a proud moment for the Japanese international and a well-deserved goal after a fine debut season for the Foxes.
Ipswich looked dead and buried at the break but came out firing on all cylinders in the second half with Connor Wickham firing just wide of the post.
The visitors were awarded a penalty on the hour mark when an Ipswich Town corner kick was cleared but adjudged to have struck the arm of Jeffrey Bruma, with Grant Leadbitter converting from the spot to give Paul Jewell’s men a lifeline.
Patrick Van Aanholt’s terrible back pass moments later then allowed Connor Wickham through on goal who fired past Chris Weale to make it 3-2.
It was a good finish by the England under-21 international and capped an all-round impressive display by the youngster.
Leicester soon restored their two-goal cushion after 72 minutes however through some excellent build-up play involving Yakubu and Patrick Van Aanholt on the left side of midfield which allowed the Dutchman to deliver a fine low ball into the penalty area, and although Andy King’s initial effort was blocked, Diomansy Kamara was on hand to fire home from close range and put the game beyond Ipswich.
It was a goal that also capped a fine performance by the Fulham loanee who appeared keen to impress the Leicester coaching staff, after also being linked with a full-time move to the East Midland in the summer.
The game began to die down after an end-to-end few minutes – although not before a tussle between Kamara and Grant Leadbitter following a foul on Yakubu that resulted in both players being cautioned.
Connor Wickham came close for the visitors in stoppage time after a mazy run but his shot flew wide of the near post.
The full-time whistle was followed by a lap of the pitch by both Leicester City players and staff, and Foxes fans left the Walkers Stadium mostly content after an entertaining season with plenty to look forward to over the summer.
Man of the Match – Andy King
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