Three Right-Backs Leicester City Should Look To Sign In January
Leicester City continue to impress on the field under new manager Claude Puel. The Foxes managed to come away with a point from Stamford Bridge against reigning Premier League champions Chelsea this weekend, despite being down to ten men and judging by their performance, especially in the first half, one wouldn’t be faulted for thinking that they deserved all three points.
They remain 8th in the league table following Saturday’s result but would be aiming for a higher finish come the end of the season. In order for that to happen though, the club need some reinforcements to come through in the January transfer window.
The Foxes have already completed the signing of promising young striker Fousseni Diabate from Gazelec Ajaccio for £4.4million, after having officially signed Adrien Silva earlier this month. However, there are a few more areas that Puel and Leicester should look to strengthen, none more so than the right-back position.
Danny Simpson is the only recognised first-choice right-back at the Foxes’ disposal currently and with the former Newcastle United man sidelined right now, they have had to operate with Daniel Amartey in the role. However, the winter window offers Leicester with the perfect opportunity to address this issue and here we look at three players who the Foxes could target to reinforce the right-back slot.
Andre Almeida (SL Benfica)
The 2015/16 Premier League champions were heavily linked with a move for the Portuguese right-back throughout December, but the rumours seem to have quietened down in the past couple of weeks.
The 27-year old Andre Almeida has featured 27 times for the Portuguese champions across all competitions this season, in which he has managed to find the back of the net on two occasions, notching up five assists as well. With over 180 appearances for Benfica and as many as 8 major silverware in his kitty, the Portuguese international is quite the experienced customer and will bring a winning mentality to the side.
Strong defensively, be it on the ground or in the air, coupled with his penchant for going forward and hitting dangerous crosses into the box, Almeida ticks most boxes for Leicester and would be a great capture.
Andy Yiadom (Barnsley)
The 26-year old was heavily linked with fellow Premier League clubs Huddersfield Town and Swansea City in the summer, but a move failed to materialise. However, with his contract set to expire in less than a year, the Tykes might look to make some money by selling him in January.
Swansea have once again thrown their hat in the ring and Leicester would do well to beat the Welsh outfit to the signing of Yiadom. The Ghanaian international has featured just 15 times this season for the EFL Championship outfit, in which he has registered two assists. The 26-year old was easily one of the best right-backs in the English second division last season.
A versatile full-back who can play on either side of the defence, who can be used in various roles down the flanks, as a wing-back and a winger as well, Yiadom is a top-notch dribbler of the ball and is aggressive going forward. Defensively sound as well, the 25-year old has shown that he can hold his own against opposition wingers. Available on the cheap, he could turn out to be a shrewd piece of business.
Daniel Opare (Augsburg)
Another defender who has been linked to Leicester recently, the 27-year old Daniel Opare could be another interesting option for the Foxes.
The Augsburg defender has been impressive for the Bundesliga outfit this term, despite having failed to score or assist a single goal so far in his 15 appearances. Capable of playing in both right-back and left-back positions, the 18-time capped Ghana international has speed, power and good crossing abilities that could make him a more than useful addition to the Foxes line-up.
A former Real Madrid Castilla player, Opare too is in the final year of his contract with Augsburg and will be available for as little as £3million, making him a decent alternative for Leicester to look at.