‘Future’ hitman Daka can
TALKING POINTS FROM CITY’S DRAMATIC WIN
WITH an evergreen club hero in Jamie Vardy and one of 2021’s bestperforming strikers in Kelechi Iheanacho ahead of Patson Daka in Leicester City’s pecking order, there were doubts as to whether he would get many chances to bring his freescoring form from Salzburg to his new side.
The limited game-time and Brendan Rodgers’ assessments have suggested that the 23-year-old is being moulded as a City hitman of the future. But in one 90-minute match, he showed he is more than ready now.
It should not be understated how brilliant his four goals were, nor how difficult it is to do what he made look so easy.
Three one-on-ones and a tap-in does not sound like the most spectacular of goal hauls but taking a closer look at each aspect of the move shows how much skill is required.
Firstly, there’s the run. Daka has to escape the defenders’ attention, create an angle so the pass is on, hold his line so as not be caught offside, and time his burst forward to perfection to take the ball in his stride.
Secondly, there’s the finish. Particularly for the third and fourth goals because his run was spot on, Daka has time to think about his strike. But this can sometimes be detrimental.
When a ball drops to a striker in a sea of defenders, a shot has to be taken instantaneously. There is no time to mull it over. In a one-on-one scenario,
Daka could feasibly have been caught in three or four minds. Left or right corner? High or low? Take it early or dribble around the goalkeeper?
There was even time for Daka to consider that City’s Europa League hopes were balancing on his shoulders in those moments.
And yet he did not look like missing. The finishes were nerveless. It did not matter whether Daka had to shoot with his left or right foot, he took the goals with the ruthlessness of a machine built to score.
The promise of his performance did not stop there. Even before the goals flowed, he was a threat, using his pace to cause danger.
The understanding he had with both his strike partner Iheanacho and with James Maddison and Youri Tielemans threading balls behind was excellent given the limited football they have played together.
He could start at Brentford on Sunday and cause problems for the Bees’ back-line. In most other sides, he would be in the 11.
But at City, where all the forwards are contributing in every match, Daka will be back on the bench with Vardy leading the line again.
The Zambian won’t be concerned, he knows what the plan is. But City can be rest assured that Daka is primed to go whenever they need him.
Any team described as “the great entertainers” knows it is not quite the compliment it appears to be. It is shorthand for “excellent up front, leaky at the back”.
After 13 goals in the past two games, that description may be heading City’s way. They have played 13 games in all competitions this season, and there have already been five in which they have scored and conceded at least two.
In total last season, this happened on seven occasions. In Rodgers’ first full campaign, it happened only twice.
For fans, it is nervy but exciting. The 25 hardy supporters that made their way to Moscow would certainly have preferred the memorable thriller served up over a 1-0 victory.
But one man who won’t be pleased is Brendan Rodgers. He knows more than anyone that these kinds of scorelines are not sustainable for success.
Rodgers’ Liverpool side that came so close to the Premier League title in 2014 had this reputation. With Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, and Philippe Coutinho at the top of their games, Liverpool were thrilling to watch going forward.
But in the end, the defence was their downfall. They conceded 50 goals and finished just behind eventual champions Manchester City.
If that experience proved anything to Rodgers it is that having an amazing frontline but only a reasonable defence will not lead to glory.
Daka quite rightly hogged the limelight but he was not the only summer signing to enjoy their best outing in blue yet.
Boubakary Soumare produced a powerhouse display in the centre of the park, and there was one moment in particular that will please supporters and Rodgers alike.
The Frenchman had done a terrific job in shutting down Spartak attacks, whether through closing out the space in midfield or intercepting as he got back to pick off crosses.
But it was his involvement in Daka’s fourth goal that was the standout. After shielding the ball in his own box to play it out
to Marc Albrighton, he ran forward to receive it back, then surged past his marker, swatting him aside as he passed the halfway line.
Then, he darted inside and perfectly popped off the ball to Maddison just as the defender closed him down, opening up the space for the number 10 to slip in Daka.
At Lille, Soumare was a deep-lying ball player with excellent physical attributes, and with the potential to carry it forward.
There have been brief moments of this kind since his £17 million switch, but none as devastating as this charge up the pitch.
City will want to see more of that, not only because it is another route to opening up sides, but also because it is a trait unique to Soumare.
City do not have any other players who can bulldoze their way forward like that.
It was a good night for the recruitment team.
That Rodgers only made two changes for the game was not a surprise given the importance of
a City victory.
But his explanation of his decision provides more insight as to how it may affect certain players.
In his pre-match interview, Rodgers said: “We have given lots of opportunities to players, but we need to stabilise the team and find our rhythm again.”
Indeed, Rodgers had rotated personnel and formations considerably, not only to try to find solutions to mounting problems amid a run of poor form, but also to not overwork players at the start of a new campaign, and allow others to settle in.
That approach now looks to have been dispensed with, and after City earned back-to-back victories in the 3-4-1-2 shape, it looks like it will remain to allow the club to build their consistency.
With this decision, there are winners and losers. Daniel Amartey looks to be the big winner for now, especially with James Justin and Wesley Fofana still out, as he will be needed in the back three. But for Harvey Barnes and Ademola Lookman, it is not good news.
Both have been left on the bench for each of the past two matches as, without wingers, there is no obvious spot to put them in.
Barnes was City’s best attacker before he got injured last season, while Lookman has made an impact in every outing this term, and so neither will be pushed to the wayside.
But if City stick with the current formation, as Rodgers has hinted, they may find opportunities difficult to come by.