Danny Ward and Harry Souttar were both in action for their countries this week, as the two fringe men gets a good look in, considering their careers at present.
Danny Ward is the preferred choice for Wales, without having any type of first team possibilites at Leicester, not really being considered as nothing else than an emergency plan.
Continue reading “Danny Ward and Harry Souttar could see Leicester exit using Wales and Australia action to their advantage”The Carabao Cup is a great opportunity for fringe players and Claude Puel gave a number of them a chance against Southampton. Ward, Silva, Diabate, Soyuncu, Simpson and Fuchs were all included and played in a well organized team with ordinary first teamers, Ndidi, Evans, Vardy, Iheanacho and Gray.
Puel had named a strong bench as well with young flank midfielder Thakgalo Khanya Leshabela. The 19 year old South African has impressed in the U.23 set up this season and was rewarded with a place in this match squad.
Leshabela could have followed Hamza Choudhury as the second development player to be handed his debut by Claude Puel, but was not lucky this time, seeing more experienced players such as Albrighton, Mendy and Okazaki preferred in the game.
Southampton fielded a strong side in a game that was a bit dull without any goals scored in ordinary time. Defensively a credit to both teams who had strong players and they outplayed the opponents attackers who never had a chance of scoring.
The VAR system avoided two possible penalty errors by the referee, and it’s great to see that such a system is introduced, soon this should be part of the Premier League as well, and this will most certainly happen. Both Leicester and Southampton had one penalty disallowed, and the closest to a goal was in real Southampton hitting the bar on one occasion.
The game never really came to a point were anyone had a great advantage and to see a penalty shoot out, with Darren Ward in goal, probably thrilled fans, and also this time they were able to celebrate.
Both teams scored on all their first five penalties, but when the sixth penalty was to be taken Southampton, Gabbiadini missed his chance with a nice save from Ward, and in the end Nampalys Mendy became the hero scoring nicely with his shot.
Leicester are through to the quarter finals and will face Manchester City at home. A difficult draw and with this type of performance against Pep’s men, we will have no chance to reach the Semi’s.
This Leicester City team never managed to put any real pressure on Saints, at home, but again a win is a win, and to see six good penalties and all of them scored is something to celebrate.
Match Stats: H/A
If you talk Liverpool and Leicester, there are a few players and managers who can say they had a life in both camps. The recent is record signing, goalkeeper Danny Ward, who joined Leicester City this summer for a fee of £ 12 million.
Paul Konchesky is the last outfield player to be transferred between the clubs, joining back in 2011 during the days of Svennis in charge. Konchesky got a lot of stick during his time at Leicester and Liverpool, but in my view a great footballer, who scored a stunner and one to remember from a game against Wolves.
Emile Heskey made his dream move to Liverpool back in 2000 for a fee of £ 11 million, which back then was the highest transfer fee ever received for a Leicester City player, a bit strange to see Danny Ward, a goalkeeper cover, without significant first team experience, signing for Leicester 18 years later for a higher fee.
Former manager at Leicester City from 1939 to 1945, Tom Bromilow, was a legend at Liverpool as a player. Playing 341 league games in 11 seasons at Anfield. He is one with a very special record, being the first ever professional footballer to become a manager. This happened in 1932 when he took charge of Burnley.
From the good old days you also have Jack Bamber who joined Leicester City from Liverpool. Bamber played 113 league games while at Filbert Street. He moved further to Tranmere in 1927. He played 77 league games for Liverpool.
Gordon Milne joined Leicester as manager in 1982, and stayed on until 1986, when he was kicked upstairs giving place for Bryan Hamilton. Milne was a great success as manager of Leicester, brining them back up to the top flight and keeping there. He made the signing of Gary McAllister in 1985, who became a very important player at Leicester and also had a spell at Liverpool late in his career.
Alan Waddle was recruited from Liverpool in 1977, but his time at both Liverpool and Leicester was not what you would call a success. He had a short spell at Filbert Street, lasting just half a season, before moving to Swansea, where he helped his former teammate, John Toshack, doing well at Vetch Field.
Goalkeeper Michael Hooper is one that spent a few weeks on loan at Leicester City, while Leicester City goalkeeper Carl Muggleton moved the other way, also on a short loan spell. One not to forget is Kevin MacDonald who is actually one of very few who have returned to Leicester City, first on loan and later also being part of the coaching staff and also been in charge as a caretaker manager. He joined Liverpool in 1984 for a fee of £ 400 000, then a record sale by Leicester City.
