Socceroos cult hero Harry Souttar is in line for a shock positional switch for Leicester City – as two fellow EPL clubs announce they are heading Down Under for exhibition games in July.
The in-form Souttar is set to become an unlikely striking weapon for the Foxes as they attempt to stave off relegation from the EPL.
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers revealed that he’s been experimenting with the big Socceroos’ center-back as an attacker in training to give the struggling Foxes an alternative strategy in their urgent quest for goals.
Souttar has not yet managed to find the scoresheet since his January move to the top flight from Stoke – except for an unfortunate own goal on his debut against Aston Villa – but his aerial prowess has ensured he’s come very close several times.
Rodgers wants to see him hitting the target as he does for the Socceroos, having netted six goals in 14 Australia internationals and believes Souttar has the footballing ability to morph from a no-nonsense stopper into a skilled attacker.
‘We could play him up front. We’ve had him there in training,’ said Rodgers, who is seeking to drag Leicester from their precarious position of 17th, just one point above the relegation zone.
‘He’s a fantastic footballer, outstanding on the ball. He makes the right passes.’
Rodgers is very pleased with his $26million center-back, who put in yet another sterling display in the side’s 1-1 draw with Brentford before he flew out to Australia for the Socceroos’ friendlies against Ecuador.
‘First and foremost, he’s a defender, but he can play football,’ he said of the 198cm Australian.
‘When you come away to Brentford and play as he did, that was a big performance.
‘Any center-half needs to be strong and competitive and then I like them to be able to play simple football, and he’s done that. He’s been a great signing for us.’
The breakthrough goal for Leicester can’t be far away for the 24-year-old, who was born and raised in Scotland before switching international allegiances to Australia thanks to his mother.
