FOXES MUST MAKE BIG DEAL OF YOURI
In-demand talisman shows why new contract is needed
BRENTFORD 1
LEICESTER 2
YOURI TIELEMANS produced another masterclass to see the Leicester fans singing “Sign him up” at the final whistle.
And that underlined the importance of the contract talks between the Foxes and their talismanic midfielder.
Tielemans, below, scored another worldie for his YouTube showreel a week after the goal against Manchester United – and then was heavily involved in James Maddison’s winner.
But with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool and Manchester United reported to be circling, all associated with the Foxes need the situation resolved. Tielemans’ deal expires in 2023, but if he does not sign an extension and with the player rated upwards of £60million, Leicester could reluctantly be forced to sell him next summer.
Goals from Tielemans and Maddison secured back-to-back Premier League wins for a rejuvenated Leicester for the first time since April. Brentford looked fired up early on and Ivan Toney had the ball in the net from Rico Henry’s cross.
The assistant referee had his flag raised for offside – but it was tight, meriting a look from referee Simon Hooper and VAR official Lee Mason. But against the run of play Leicester took the lead through a magnificent strike from Tielemans.
A Maddison free-kick from the right was only half-cleared and the Belgium international lashed the ball first-time past David Raya and into the corner from 28 yards.
However, on the hour, the stadium erupted as Brentford levelled through Mathias Jorgensen. Mathias Jensen whipped in a corner from the left and the defender climbed highest at the near post to glance past Kasper Schmeichel for his first Bees goal.
Pontus Jansson was distraught after heading wide when unmarked from Jensen’s corner.
And Leicester made him pay within two minutes. Tielemans sent Patson Daka clear with a wonderful pass, and he slipped the ball sideways for Maddison to score.
BRENTFORD (3-5-2): Raya 7; Jorgensen 6, Jansson 6, Pinnock 6 (Ajer 46, 6); Canos 5, Onyeka 6 (Ghoddos 76), Norgaard 6, Jensen 7, Henry 7; Mbeumo 5 (Forss 57, 6), Toney 6. Goal: Jorgensen 60.
LEICESTER (3-4-1-2): Schmeichel 7; Amartey 6, Evans 6, Soyuncu 6 (Vestergaard 67, 6); Pereira 7, Tielemans 9, Soumare 7, Castagne 7; Maddison 8 (Perez 79); Vardy 6 (Daka 46, 7), Iheanacho 5. Goals: Tielemans 14, Maddison 73.