Newcomer Caleb Okoli has loved an honest begin with Leicester Metropolis within the Premier League. Issues might be higher with the Foxes hovering above the relegation zone, however the Italian has impressed individually. Okoli performed a giant half alongside centre-back associate Wout Faes in main Leicester to their first victory of the season towards Bournemouth.
Following Leicester’s promotion to the Premier League, there have been doubts relating to Jannik Vestergaard’s tempo. Though the Denmark worldwide is the most effective in possession amongst the centre-backs, his extreme lack of tempo would trigger issues within the English prime flight, particularly if Steve Cooper pressed with a excessive line. Okoli was recognized as a goal, and Foxes swiftly accomplished his signing from Atalanta for a reported price of £13 million.
Caleb Okoli brings tempo and physicality to Leicester’s backline
A big side of what the East Midlands facet favored about Okoli was his physicality, notably his tempo. Leicester didn’t actually have a fast centre-back and desperately wanted one to adapt to the Premier League. The Italian backed up his physicality with good defending skills, rating above the seventieth percentile in tackles, blocks, and clearances.
Nevertheless, Okoli struggled in his first few weeks on the King Energy. Cooper appeared unimpressed with the centre-back throughout pre-season and began Jannik Vestergaard forward of him for Leicester’s opening two league video games. The Italian was handed his first begin towards Aston Villa, and he had a promising debut, making a superb deal with late within the sport to stop the guests from doubling their lead.
Since then, the 23-year-old has been a daily in Leicester’s beginning lineup, including much-needed tempo and physicality to the defence. Nevertheless, there are nonetheless areas the place Okoli wants to enhance. His passing has been inconsistent, and he hasn’t proven the identical adventurous ahead runs he was recognized for in Serie A. Moreover, regardless of his energy, Okoli has struggled in aerial duels, successful simply 37% of them — a noticeable drop from the 55% he gained final season.
General, Okoli has been a strong addition to Leicester’s squad, particularly given his comparatively low switch price. At simply 23 years previous, the Italian defender nonetheless has his greatest years forward of him. If Leicester can stabilise themselves as a Premier League membership, Okoli might be a key determine of their defence for a lot of seasons to come back.
The submit Leicester Metropolis participant assessment – Caleb Okoli first appeared on Premier League Information Now.
