The Rams winger, who can also play at wing-back, is reportedly being sought after by Birmingham, but here’s why Marcelo Bielsa should have a look at him.
Ikechi Anya has been linked with a departure from Derby County this January after falling to the fringes of Frank Lampard’s squad.
The 31-year-old has made 38 appearances for the Championship side since his 2016 move from Watford but has not featured at all this season (Transfermarkt).
According to the Derby Telegraph, Anya could be offered an escape route from Pride Park by Birmingham City, who are just four points behind the Rams and chasing a playoff place.
However, given his pedigree, experience, versatility, style of play and apparent availability, Leeds United should consider enquiring about the Scotland international.
It may not seem like an inspiring prospect at first but here are a couple of reasons why it could just work.
In terms of his age, having just turned 31, he needn’t be signed on a long-term deal – the DT reported that Birmingham are looking for a loan move.
Therefore, if Derby are happy to offload him this way, then Leeds could take him on loan and then, if it works, potentially offer him a one or two-year deal at the end of the season.
Anya has made 128 appearances in the Championship and 29 in the Premier League (Transfermarkt), having helped Watford get promoted in 2015, plus 29 caps for Scotland, so that experience can go on to help Leeds this term.
He is a versatile player, able to slot in at wing-back, full-back and on the wings, which could give Marcelo Bielsa options both in terms of bolstering the defence – which has had its personnel issues this season – or further up.
Stats website Whoscored lists Anya’s strengths as holding onto the ball and passing, particularly short passes and layoffs – which sounds very apt for a Bielsa team, and Lampard has stated that he has been training and is fit, so wouldn’t necessarily need long to get up to scratch.
And although Transfermarkt lists his value as 2million Euro (around £1.8m), if Derby truly want to offload him they could perhaps be prepared to listen to different offers, so it may well be worth an enquiry.
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