Sport
Patson Daka could take Leicester to the next level
Red Bull Salzburg know how to harness the potential of a young centre forward – there’s a certain Norwegian currently playing in the Bundesliga who stands as proof of this. Indeed, Erling Haaland, who is now considered one of the most lethal strikers in the game, found his cutting edge in Austria. Patson Daka followed this precedent by succeeding Haaland as Red Bull Salzburg’s next goalscoring frontman and the 22-year-old could also follow the Norwegian’s precedent by establishing himself in one of Europe’s big five leagues following his £22m transfer to Leicester City this summer.
Having been linked with the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United, Daka instead made the move to the King Power Stadium where he will work with Brendan Rodgers, a manager renowned for moulding talented young attackers into superstars – see Raheem Sterling and Luis Suarez.
At Leicester City, Daka will receive plenty of game time and could take the Foxes to the next level. Rodgers’ side have made great strides under Rodgers, but need to find another dimension to make their place in the Premier League’s top four stick having fallen out of the Champions League qualifying spots on the final day of the last two seasons.
In some ways, Daka could be seen as the natural successor to Jamie Vardy, who at 34 years old is surely close to being phased out of the Leicester City first team. The Zambian has the natural speed to get in behind opposition defences in much the same way Vardy does and so Rodgers could easily integrate his new signing into the existing system.
However, Daka could also act as a more orthodox number nine to change the way Leicester City play, or at least give them the sort of Plan B they have thus far lacked under Rodgers. Whether as a partner for Vardy or Kelechi Iheanacho, or as a lone forward, Daka could bring something different to the table for the Foxes.
“As soon as he’s in that goalscoring position, he’s so calm and not even thinking, even though he’s right-footed, he just slots it away with his left foot,” Rodgers said after an impressive pre-season performance by Daka, who showed early signs of a developing relationship with Iheanacho as a front two.
“You see that natural goalscoring instinct and then his speed to get to the ball. I think that’s what he is, he’s a goalscorer. I thought him and [Iheanacho] combined very, very well. They were looking for each other and some of their play was exceptional. The goalscorers, I think when it hits the back of the net, it gives them confidence and gives them that energy.”
Leicester City’s recent track record in the transfer market is somewhat remarkable. No Premier League club has the success rate of the Foxes who rarely make a misstep when it comes to the recruitment of players. Leicester City don’t shy away from spending money but when they do they make sure they know what they’re getting.
In Daka, Leicester have captured one of the best young strikers in the game. With the firepower he’ll bring, Leicester City stand a good chance of building further on two successive fifth place finishes. The balance Daka will offer could also make a big difference for Rodgers’ side as they attempt to find another edge and dimension.
Regardless of whether he is the new Vardy or something different entirely, Daka has the ability to make himself the main man for Leicester City. Good players find a way to succeed no matter the system they are asked to fit into and the Zambian striker will almost certainly make his new surroundings work for him.
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