The Brazilian winger has not lived up to the promise of his debut but has the qualities to make an impact in the final seven games and help the club out of trouble
Tete still has a role to play at Leicester City and can help the club out of the relegation zone, manager Dean Smith has said.
The Brazilian winger, overlooked at the weekend for Smith’s first game in charge, has played just 18 minutes of football in the three matches since Brendan Rodgers’ departure.
His move from Lyon has not panned out how he or the club would have hoped, with the promise of his electric debut at Villa Park in February so far unfulfilled. However, there are still seven games for him to make his mark and help save the club, with Smith liking what he’s seen of the 23-year-old in training.
The manager said: “Already I’ve seen he’s got great dribbling skills, really good balance, and, from the sessions we’ve done so far, really good finishing ability as well.
“It’s about looking at these players and learning about them very quickly because time is not our friend, and then trying to get their attributes out onto the football pitch so that it helps us. He will certainly help us with the abilities he’s got.”
The fitness of Harvey Barnes will be a big factor in whether Tete will start this weekend. If Barnes, the club’s top scorer, is fit, Smith may revert to a system with wingers, giving Tete the chance to compete for a spot in the 11.
Tete does provide something City doesn’t have in the way he dribbles with the ball and beats players. While Barnes brings lightning pace on one flank, Tete has the intricate footwork to get past defenders.
Drawing that out of him will be Smith’s focus. He completed six take-ons during his debut at Aston Villa but has only managed nine in his Premier League appearances since.
