FOR £40m HE’S ALL YOURI’S
Can Leicester snap up Tielemans?
Youri Tielemans arrived at leicester with the pedigree of a player who featured in the Champions league aged 16 but also an asterisk of reservation attached after a disappointing spell at monaco.
it is safe to say that seven games into his Premier league career, Tielemans has cast aside any doubt about his quality and now the only question remaining is whether leicester can do the deal permanently.
For the second game in a row, their fans made the 21-year- old man of the match, with a 48 per cent share of the vote.
He is displaying brain and bravery, a midfielder who makes the game look effortless and is proving a genuine asset where it matters, too. His cross for Jamie Vardy’s header against Bournemouth was his fourth assist already, and he also has one goal himself.
in the 2-0 win over eddie Howe’s side, in which Wes morgan opened the scoring with a clever back-heel, no player made more successful passes than Tielemans’ 70. a success rate of 89.7 per cent belied the risk associated with a significant number of them.
operating as one of two no 8s alongside James maddison, Tielemans often tries the difficult through-ball that Brendan rodgers demands to create chances. as a result, maddison is benefiting. He has a like- minded team- mate nearby to exchange passes with, and is also getting greater space as defenders have more than one player to worry about.
The concern for leicester is that Tielemans’ performances are of a standard to begin attracting clubs who can offer Champions league football. The agreement with monaco does not include an option to buy, with leicester deciding to wait and see after being quoted £40million in January.
Dialogue is open. adrien silva went the other way last winter and there is hope the trade-off can benefit leicester again this summer.
‘i can’t worry about that,’ said rodgers when asked about Tielemans’ other options. ‘He’s a topclass young talent. But i always have to respect he’s a monaco player. i’m sure there will be discussions