LeicestershireLive brings you a round-up of the latest Leicester City news and headlines.
Your Leicester City headlines for Thursday, December 8.
Man City star repeats Leicester City rant after shock World Cup defeat
Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri has claimed that Morocco offered ‘absolutely nothing’ against Spain after the African side came out victorious in a penalty shootout to knock his team out of the World Cup.
The two sides met in the round of 16 on Tuesday afternoon, but despite Spain having 77 percent possession throughout the game, they failed to find the back of the net over 120 minutes. Goalkeeper Bono was the hero as Morocco won the penalty shootout 3-0.
Rodri played all 120 minutes of the game but didn’t get the chance to step up and take a penalty in the shootout. Following the match, the defensive midfielder blasted Morocco’s tactics of sitting back and hitting Spain on the break.
There are two main purposes to a loan deal. The first, usually for younger players, is to get them opportunities in the men’s game to help their development and speed up their ascent into the first team. The other is to put players in the shop window, allowing them to get more minutes and either impress their loan club or another side.
The city has had recent success in both. Harvey Barnes, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Daniel Iversen are all in the first-team squad right now because of the improvements they made and the experience they gained while at their temporary homes. Meanwhile, in recent summers, they have sold the likes of Rachid Ghezzal and Kamal Sowah after both were big hits out on loan.
Preparing players for the first team and generating funds by selling fringe players are important for the development of a club like City, and so it’s vital they get the loans right. Here, we give an overview of the seven players City have out on loan this season, and how they’re getting on.
‘Lack of trust’ – James Maddison’s omission from England World Cup games explained
James Maddison has been told he is “unfortunate” not to have played at the World Cup so far because of a “lack of trust”.
Maddison is yet to get on the pitch at the World Cup and has been available for both the final group game against Wales and the last 16 wins over Senegal. Much has been made of Southgate’s decision not to play Maddison, with accusations fired at the England boss that he buckled to media pressure in selecting the Leicester man.
Former England midfielder Chris Waddle believes Maddison will only feature in a cameo role at the tournament because of the country’s lack of trust in creative attacking midfield players. Maddison has been overlooked despite scoring seven goals and setting up another four in 13 Premier League games for Leicester this season.
‘Bottle it up’ – Leicester City striker makes honest admission amid a difficult period
Leicester City striker George Hirst has opened up about his difficult past few months at Blackburn Rovers.
The 23-year-old striker is on loan at Rovers from City and is yet to score in nine appearances this season. He earned his move to the Championship after scoring 13 goals in League One for Portsmouth last season, with most of those coming at the latter end of the season.
After a difficult start to the last campaign, Hirst has experienced the same again at Ewood Park. The former Sheffield Wednesday youngster has opened up about his struggles on the pitch, talking about how he feels and whether he can regain his confidence in front of the goal.
mer Leicester City manager Martin O’Neill has opened up about his time managing the club.
The 70-year-old spent five seasons at what was Filbert Street between 1995 and 2000, where he achieved promotion to the Premier League in his first year in charge. The Northern Irishman also won the Football League Cup, now known as the Carabao Cup, in 1997 and 2000.
His successful time at City is a fond memory of his and he shared it in his new autography, entitled “Martin O’Neill, Days Like These, My Life in Football,” which documents some of his best moments at LE2.
Leicester City star has gone under the radar despite outshining Chelsea and Man United stars
One Leicester City player who has not been getting the recognition they deserve, despite putting in top performances in recent months, is Harvey Barnes.
James Maddison has taken the vast majority of the limelight, as is only right given how pivotal he has been to the Foxes’ revival after a dreadful start. But Barnes’ contribution could do with a bit more appreciation.
The winger, who turns 25 this week, has scored six goals in the Premier League (and made one assist in the League Cup) so far this season, which is more than Chelsea attacker Raheem Sterling (3) and Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford (4), both of whom are in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the Fifa Men’s World Cup in Qatar.
Kolo Toure addresses exit as he thanks Leicester City and Celtic ‘mentor’ duo
Kolo Toure insists he is ready to flourish as a manager after five years under the wing of “mentor” Brendan Rodgers.
Toure left his role as Leicester City’s first-team coach last week to begin his managerial career with the Latics, who currently sit in the Championship relegation zone. For the past five years, the former Ivorian international center-back has worked under City boss Rodgers, starting at Celtic, where he ended his playing career.
Despite a glittering career that included two Premier League titles and an African Cup of Nations championship, Toure knew his success on the pitch would not automatically make him a good manager. And so he set about learning the ropes over half a decade under Rodgers and his assistant Chris Davies.
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