Leicester City star Youri Tielemans blew Rachel Brown-Finnis away with his display in the FA Cup at Gillingham. The Belgian thrived amid interest from Newcastle United in a transfer.
Kelechi Iheanacho secured the Foxes a 1-0 win away to the team that currently sits bottom of League Two. Brendan Rodgers’ side struggled to break through Gillingham at Priestfield Stadium. The fourth-tier strugglers produced a very organised display to restrict the Foxes.
It took a scrappy goal to open the scoring 11 minutes into the second half as Iheanacho hit home following Kasey McAteer’s cross. The left-back sent the ball back into the Gills area toward Jamie Vardy, whose slight touch cushioned the ball just enough for his teammate.
Tielemans was one of just three Leicester stars to keep their place in Rodgers’ line-up from a 1-0 defeat to Fulham in the Premier League on Tuesday. Ayoze Perez and Vardy also kept their places from the defeat that left the Foxes 13th in the top-flight table after 18 fixtures.
Rodgers has now played Tielemans in 22 games across all competitions so far this season. He has also seen four goals and an assist from the 58-cap Belgium midfielder. The 25-year-old hit three and created one in 18 Premier League matches plus one in three EFL Cup ties.
Newcastle transfer target Tielemans impresses for Leicester vs Gillingham
Tielemans faces an uncertain future with Leicester, however, as his £120k-a-week contract will expire in June. He is also earning interest in a potential move during the January sales. The Northern Echo reports Newcastle will enquire into Tielemans’ transfer from Leicester.
Eddie Howe’s right-hand man, Jason Tindall, is also encouraging the Magpies to swoop for the midfielder, per The Athletic. Also, The Telegraph – whilst citing Newcastle’s interest in the Leicester ace – adds Tielemans would eye a contract worth £150k-a-week in a transfer.
Leicester paid AS Monaco £35m to secure Tielemans’ permanent transfer following a loan spell in 2019. Now, while not setting the tie alight, the Belgian blew ex-England women’s goalkeeper Brown-Finnis away at Gillingham after producing an inventive performance.
She said on BBC One: “Tielemans hasn’t done a huge amount in this game so far but his movement is exceptional. He looks by far and away the best player in this Leicester team.”
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