Celtic winger James Forrest should be on Leicester City’s radar.
Leicester City ran Manchester City close on Monday night, but ultimately came up short as they lost 1-0 to Vincent Kompany’s once-in-a-lifetime strike.
The Foxes showed great ability at the Etihad Stadium, and there’s plenty to be excited about. Brendan Rodgers already has his side playing an exciting brand of football, with some really talented young players.
Ricardo Pereira, Harry Maguire, Ben Chilwell, Wilfried Ndidi and James Maddison are all superb talents, as are Harvey Barnes and loanee Youri Tielemans. Kasper Schmeichel, Jonny Evans and Jamie Vardy bring that extra bit of Premier League know-how to a young squad.
Yet if there’s one area that Leicester really need to address, it’s the right flank. Riyad Mahrez simply hasn’t been replaced since leaving for Manchester City last summer, despite a host of players taking the role.
Marc Albrighton and Demarai Gray have failed to really make the role their own, whilst Rachid Ghezzal has been a flop since signing from Monaco to replace compatriot Mahrez.
Rodgers must target a new right winger this summer, and Celtic star Forrest is ideal for the role, meaning the Foxes boss needs to attempt a daring move to raid his former club.
Forrest has been in stunning form this season, racking up 17 goals and 20 assists in all competitions, playing a key role not only under Rodgers, but then under Neil Lennon too.
The Scot turns 28 this summer, and may be approaching the final chance at a move to a real Premier League contender. If Celtic win another domestic treble this season, Forrest may well feel that something new is in order.
Bringing his pace and end product to the Leicester side would make Rodgers’ side even more dangerous, and given that he already knows about Rodgers’ methods, it could be a seamless transition – though tempting Celtic into a sale may be a real battle, especially if it’s Rodgers making the move.
With Ghezzal, Gray and Albrighton failing to really grasp the role, it’s one of the key areas Rodgers must strengthen this summer, and for that reason, Celtic should be more fearful than ever that he will return to Parkhead in order to try and lure Forrest to the Premier League.
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