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 Jeffrey Bruma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jeffrey Bruma. Show all posts
Monday, 9 May 2011
Monday, 25 April 2011
Leicester City 4 Watford 2 - 25th April 2011
Leicester City scored three second-half goals to come from behind against Watford to keep their own slim playoff hopes alive.
Marvin Sordell netted first for the Hornets before Jeffrey Bruma equalised with a long-range effort.
Sordell put the visitors ahead again before half-time but two goals from Yakubu after the break, separated by another stunning strike by Bruma, gave Leicester a much needed three points.
The win kept the Foxes mathematically in reach of the playoffs, but they would need to win their next two games comfortably and be relying on a number of other results to go in their favour.
The first half saw Sven-Goran Erikkson’s men adopt an unusual 4-5-1 formation, with Jeffrey Bruma playing in the centre of midfield, Yuki Abe on the right and Darius Vassell as the front man.
Leicester dominated possession in the first twenty minutes but failed to create many clear-cut chances, although Patrick Van Aanholt volleyed over from a corner before Paul Gallagher’s free-kick was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Scott Loach.
Watford threatened with the long ball but failed to really challenge the Leicester defence, as Miguel Vitor and Ben Mee looked comfortable dealing with the aerial threat of Troy Deeney and the prolific Danny Graham.
But the visitors did take the lead when Kyle Naughton was caught in possession by Marvin Sordell who cut inside Miguel Vitor before curling a sublime strike past Chris Weale.
It was a rare mistake by the Tottenham loanee but Sordell still had a lot of work to do before finding the net with his fourteenth goal of the season.
Foxes heads appeared to drop after going behind but were level ten minutes later when Jeffrey Bruma smashed a hopeful long-range drive past the helpless Scott Loach.
The goal came from nowhere but it was an important one and a fantastic way for the Chelsea loanee to open his account with Leicester.
Leicester looked good value to go into the break on level terms with their counterparts, but Watford restored their lead just two minutes later when Ben Mee’s slip inside the penalty area allowed Marvin Sordell to who find the net for the second time in twelve minutes with a low drive into the bottom corner.
The goal exposed Leicester’s defensive frailties that have trouble them in recent weeks, having now conceded eight goals in the last three games.
The Foxes also lost Richie Wellens to injury on the stroke of half-time, replaced by a second striker in the form of Yakubu – a positive substitution for which Sven-Goran Erikkson would be rewarded after the break.
Leicester came out all guns blazing in the second-half and within minutes were threatening for an equaliser with Patrick Van Aanholt finding Darius Vassell, whose shot was blocked over the bar.
Ben Mee then hit the crossbar with a shot through a crowd of Watford defenders, and after a goalmouth scramble in front of the Spion Kop, the ball just could not be guided past Scott Loach.
It seemed as if it was just a matter of time before an equaliser would come as Leicester continued to dominate the game - Andy King coming close to guiding Yuki Abe’s shot inside the far post, and Miguel Vitor’s header being tipped over the bar.
Leicester finally levelled when goalkeeper Scott Loach collided with Yakubu and Watford defender Adrian Mariappa on the edge of the box; the ball falling to the Nigerian striker who curled the ball into an empty net from a tight angle.
It was a tidy finish by the Yak who had not found the net since his hat-trick against his former club Middlesbrough three weeks ago.
Scott Loach looked visibly rocked by the error and spilled another high ball as Leicester pressed in search of a winner - and came close when Andy King found Darius Vassell inside the penalty area, but the former England striker was unable to connect with the ball.
But the hosts were ahead for the first time in the game when Jeffrey Bruma – in plenty of space - lashed a 30 yard drive past Scott Loach into the top corner.
It was a goal that bettered his earlier strike and is a certain contender for goal of the season; a memorable moment for the Dutchman – and for the Blue Army who had witnessed a complete turnaround in the last ten minutes.
And victory was secured two minutes later when Andy King latched onto a long ball before forcing Scott Loach to parry the ball into the feet of Yakubu who cleverly chipped over the goalkeeper for his second of the game and ninth since joining the Foxes on loan.
It was no more than Leicester deserved after a scintillating second-half performance that demonstrated their ability to tear teams apart when at their best.
Danny Graham fired wide for Watford late on before Alexsander Tunchev – making his first appearance in over a year - came on in injury time for the Foxes, much to the delight of the home fans.
The final whistle ensured a deserved three points for Sven-Goran Erikkson’s side, and although Leicester’s playoffs hopes were virtually ended with Nottingham Forest winning at Bristol City, it certainly gave the Blue Army something to smile about.
Man of the Match – Darius Vassell
Marvin Sordell netted first for the Hornets before Jeffrey Bruma equalised with a long-range effort.
Sordell put the visitors ahead again before half-time but two goals from Yakubu after the break, separated by another stunning strike by Bruma, gave Leicester a much needed three points.
The win kept the Foxes mathematically in reach of the playoffs, but they would need to win their next two games comfortably and be relying on a number of other results to go in their favour.
The first half saw Sven-Goran Erikkson’s men adopt an unusual 4-5-1 formation, with Jeffrey Bruma playing in the centre of midfield, Yuki Abe on the right and Darius Vassell as the front man.
Leicester dominated possession in the first twenty minutes but failed to create many clear-cut chances, although Patrick Van Aanholt volleyed over from a corner before Paul Gallagher’s free-kick was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Scott Loach.
Watford threatened with the long ball but failed to really challenge the Leicester defence, as Miguel Vitor and Ben Mee looked comfortable dealing with the aerial threat of Troy Deeney and the prolific Danny Graham.
But the visitors did take the lead when Kyle Naughton was caught in possession by Marvin Sordell who cut inside Miguel Vitor before curling a sublime strike past Chris Weale.
It was a rare mistake by the Tottenham loanee but Sordell still had a lot of work to do before finding the net with his fourteenth goal of the season.
Foxes heads appeared to drop after going behind but were level ten minutes later when Jeffrey Bruma smashed a hopeful long-range drive past the helpless Scott Loach.
The goal came from nowhere but it was an important one and a fantastic way for the Chelsea loanee to open his account with Leicester.
Leicester looked good value to go into the break on level terms with their counterparts, but Watford restored their lead just two minutes later when Ben Mee’s slip inside the penalty area allowed Marvin Sordell to who find the net for the second time in twelve minutes with a low drive into the bottom corner.
The goal exposed Leicester’s defensive frailties that have trouble them in recent weeks, having now conceded eight goals in the last three games.
The Foxes also lost Richie Wellens to injury on the stroke of half-time, replaced by a second striker in the form of Yakubu – a positive substitution for which Sven-Goran Erikkson would be rewarded after the break.
Leicester came out all guns blazing in the second-half and within minutes were threatening for an equaliser with Patrick Van Aanholt finding Darius Vassell, whose shot was blocked over the bar.
Ben Mee then hit the crossbar with a shot through a crowd of Watford defenders, and after a goalmouth scramble in front of the Spion Kop, the ball just could not be guided past Scott Loach.
It seemed as if it was just a matter of time before an equaliser would come as Leicester continued to dominate the game - Andy King coming close to guiding Yuki Abe’s shot inside the far post, and Miguel Vitor’s header being tipped over the bar.
Leicester finally levelled when goalkeeper Scott Loach collided with Yakubu and Watford defender Adrian Mariappa on the edge of the box; the ball falling to the Nigerian striker who curled the ball into an empty net from a tight angle.
It was a tidy finish by the Yak who had not found the net since his hat-trick against his former club Middlesbrough three weeks ago.
Scott Loach looked visibly rocked by the error and spilled another high ball as Leicester pressed in search of a winner - and came close when Andy King found Darius Vassell inside the penalty area, but the former England striker was unable to connect with the ball.
But the hosts were ahead for the first time in the game when Jeffrey Bruma – in plenty of space - lashed a 30 yard drive past Scott Loach into the top corner.
It was a goal that bettered his earlier strike and is a certain contender for goal of the season; a memorable moment for the Dutchman – and for the Blue Army who had witnessed a complete turnaround in the last ten minutes.
And victory was secured two minutes later when Andy King latched onto a long ball before forcing Scott Loach to parry the ball into the feet of Yakubu who cleverly chipped over the goalkeeper for his second of the game and ninth since joining the Foxes on loan.
It was no more than Leicester deserved after a scintillating second-half performance that demonstrated their ability to tear teams apart when at their best.
Danny Graham fired wide for Watford late on before Alexsander Tunchev – making his first appearance in over a year - came on in injury time for the Foxes, much to the delight of the home fans.
The final whistle ensured a deserved three points for Sven-Goran Erikkson’s side, and although Leicester’s playoffs hopes were virtually ended with Nottingham Forest winning at Bristol City, it certainly gave the Blue Army something to smile about.
Man of the Match – Darius Vassell
Saturday, 19 March 2011
Leicester City 0 Portsmouth 1 - 19th March 2011
Leicester’s hopes of reaching the play-offs were dealt another blow this afternoon after losing at home to an in-form Portsmouth side.
David Nugent scored the only goal of the game in the after Leicester failed to deal properly with a long throw in.
Paul Gallagher and Yakubu squandered good chances for the Foxes in the second-half as Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men fell to a fourth defeat in six league games, leaving their promotion hopes hanging by a thread.
Eriksson introduced Jeffrey Bruma back into the starting eleven in replace of Miguel Vitor as his side looked to extract revenge on Portsmouth, who head beaten Leicester 6-1 at Fratton Park earlier in the season.
The first chance of the game did fall to Leicester when Yakubu headed just wide from Paul Gallagher’s cross into the penalty area.
But it was the visitors who looked the sharper of the two sides during the opening stages and were ahead after thirteen minutes when Sol Bamba’s poor defensive header fell directly into the path of David Nugent who found the net with a volley through a crowd of players.
The goal was a sloppy one for Leicester to concede, and Eriksson will have been disappointed to see his side undone by another set piece.
The former England striker was again at the heart of another Portsmouth attack moments later after breaking down the right wing before firing a low cross into the penalty area; however, Yuki Abe was alert to smother the ball behind for a corner.
At the other end, goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown pulled off a superb save to deny Sol Bamba’s towering header from a Paul Gallagher corner.
Leicester then began to put pressure on the Pompey defence after good work from Richie Wellens and Yakubu teed up Paul Gallagher on the edge of the box, but his effort flew just wide of the post.
Andy King had a glorious opportunity to net for the Foxes when Kyle Naughton picked the midfielder out with a fine cross, but the Welshman failed to trouble Jamie Ashdown with an unmarked header.
The home side looked likely to score at the end of the first-half but whilst Leicester’s build-up play was positive, there never seemed to be an end product to trouble Ashdown.
The second-half was one of few clear cut chances but the Foxes should have been level when Jeffrey Bruma’s superb long ball behind the Portsmouth defence fell to Paul Gallagher who found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but Jamie Ashdown did well to quickly close him down and block his low shot.
Eriksson introduced Lloyd Dyer and Martyn Waghorn on in quick succession but it was Portsmouth who looked more likely to score as they caught Leicester on the counter-attack through Dave Kitson who did well to escape Sol Bamba, and his pull back gave Jonathon Hogg the opportunity to set up Joel Ward, but the substitute inexplicably fired wide from six yards.
With less than ten minutes to go, Yakubu fired over from a good position before Kyle Naughton’s thunderous strike from distance was well-saved by Jamie Ashdown at the near post.
Leicester continued to come close in attack but when Jeffrey Bruma’s fine ball in across the face of goal escaped both Ben Mee and Lloyd Dyer, it seemed as if it simply was not their day.
The final whistle indicated a second consecutive home loss for the Foxes, and while Sven’s men remain just five points outside the play-offs, they slipped to eleventh place in the Championship with just eight games remaining.
Man of the Match – Dave Kitson
David Nugent scored the only goal of the game in the after Leicester failed to deal properly with a long throw in.
Paul Gallagher and Yakubu squandered good chances for the Foxes in the second-half as Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men fell to a fourth defeat in six league games, leaving their promotion hopes hanging by a thread.
Eriksson introduced Jeffrey Bruma back into the starting eleven in replace of Miguel Vitor as his side looked to extract revenge on Portsmouth, who head beaten Leicester 6-1 at Fratton Park earlier in the season.
The first chance of the game did fall to Leicester when Yakubu headed just wide from Paul Gallagher’s cross into the penalty area.
But it was the visitors who looked the sharper of the two sides during the opening stages and were ahead after thirteen minutes when Sol Bamba’s poor defensive header fell directly into the path of David Nugent who found the net with a volley through a crowd of players.
The goal was a sloppy one for Leicester to concede, and Eriksson will have been disappointed to see his side undone by another set piece.
The former England striker was again at the heart of another Portsmouth attack moments later after breaking down the right wing before firing a low cross into the penalty area; however, Yuki Abe was alert to smother the ball behind for a corner.
At the other end, goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown pulled off a superb save to deny Sol Bamba’s towering header from a Paul Gallagher corner.
Leicester then began to put pressure on the Pompey defence after good work from Richie Wellens and Yakubu teed up Paul Gallagher on the edge of the box, but his effort flew just wide of the post.
Andy King had a glorious opportunity to net for the Foxes when Kyle Naughton picked the midfielder out with a fine cross, but the Welshman failed to trouble Jamie Ashdown with an unmarked header.
The home side looked likely to score at the end of the first-half but whilst Leicester’s build-up play was positive, there never seemed to be an end product to trouble Ashdown.
The second-half was one of few clear cut chances but the Foxes should have been level when Jeffrey Bruma’s superb long ball behind the Portsmouth defence fell to Paul Gallagher who found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but Jamie Ashdown did well to quickly close him down and block his low shot.
Eriksson introduced Lloyd Dyer and Martyn Waghorn on in quick succession but it was Portsmouth who looked more likely to score as they caught Leicester on the counter-attack through Dave Kitson who did well to escape Sol Bamba, and his pull back gave Jonathon Hogg the opportunity to set up Joel Ward, but the substitute inexplicably fired wide from six yards.
With less than ten minutes to go, Yakubu fired over from a good position before Kyle Naughton’s thunderous strike from distance was well-saved by Jamie Ashdown at the near post.
Leicester continued to come close in attack but when Jeffrey Bruma’s fine ball in across the face of goal escaped both Ben Mee and Lloyd Dyer, it seemed as if it simply was not their day.
The final whistle indicated a second consecutive home loss for the Foxes, and while Sven’s men remain just five points outside the play-offs, they slipped to eleventh place in the Championship with just eight games remaining.
Man of the Match – Dave Kitson
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