Leicester captain Wes Morgan heaps praise on Shinji Okazaki

Follow us on Google Discover

The Foxes’ unsung hero grabbed his first Premier League goal since March in Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace.

Leicester City captain Wes Morgan has hailed the impact of indefatigable striker Shinji Okazaki, after the Foxes’ unorthodox number 20 starred in Saturday’s 3-1 victory against Crystal Palace, as quoted by The Mirror.

Despite playing a key role in Leicester’s fairytale Premier League title triumph last season, fan favourite Okazaki has found himself on the periphery of Claudio Ranieri’s starting XI this time out, following the summer arrivals of big-money forwards Islam Slimani and Ahmed Musa.

However, with the Foxes struggling to replicate last season’s heroics and slumping to a series of poor results, Ranieri handed the Japanese international a rare start in Saturday’s clash with Palace at the King Power Stadium, and it was an opportunity Okazaki seized with both hands.

The former FSV Mainz 05 front man was instrumental in everything that Leicester did well against the Eagles; harrying the Palace back line, slipping into midfield to link up play and even dropping deep to aid his side in defence, not to mention the smart second-half finish he dispatched to double the Foxes’ lead.

Following Okazaki’s terrific performance against the Eagles, Leicester skipper Morgan rhapsodised about the likeable forward’s attitude and application, as well as praising the efficaciousness of his unorthodox playing style.

Speaking to The Mirror the Jamaican international said: “Shinji is so important because he gives 100 per cent all the time and the role he plays is unique.

“He plays as a forward but drops into midfield when we are out of position. He hasn’t had too many chances to prove himself this season, but I’m sure he has given the manager a headache with the way he played on Saturday.”

Leicester’s timely victory over Crystal Palace was just their third league win of the season and, worryingly for Claudio Ranieri, his reigning champions, who were so resilient on their travels last term, have yet to register an away triumph during the 2016/17 campaign.

With teams growing wise to the strengths of last season’s star-men Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and Danny Drinkwater and subsequently dropping deeper to nullify their speed orientated, counter-attacking style, Leicester have struggled to break down opposition defences, leading to a string of demoralising away defeats, including a pair of humiliating 4-1 defeats at Old Trafford and Anfield.

However, Okazaki’s idiosyncratic qualities present Ranieri with a fantastic option as he looks to steer the Foxes towards the upper echelons of the Premier League table by rectifying their away day woes and, after a consummate individual display, the Japanese forward will surely be featuring prominently in the former Chelsea manager’s thoughts heading into Saturday’s trip to White Hart Lane.