Brendan Rodgers will use the next few months to watch over his new players at Leicester City and assess where his squad needs to be strengthened.

The former Celtic boss might take a trip back to the Scottish Premiership and try and tempt some of it’s stars down to the English Premier League.

Here’s four potential targets that Rodgers might identify as being of the right calibre to improve his new Foxes squad:

Callum McGregor

McGregor became one of Celtic’s key men under Rodgers. The midfielder played 142 times during Brendan’s era at Parkhead and scoring 25 times.

The central midfielder is a very good all round player. This season he showed his class as a holding midfielder in Celtic’s Europa League adventure. Callum bossed the midfield in the Hoops win over RB Leipzig, no player made more interceptions and he also made thirty-eight passes.

He’s a player with a footballing brain and knows how to play in between the lines. That sees him spotting trouble defensively and he can also make the right runs to get into the opposition’s penalty area. Has a great history when it comes to popping up and scoring vital goals in big games.

Rodgers certainly liked him. The new Leicester City boss has said this about Callum McGregor in the past (From The Daily Record):

“Yeah, he’s a player who can have real longevity here. If you know football, you know he’s a top player.”

“He can dictate a game, he has courage to play and he plays with a technical simplicity.”

Kieran Tierney

The Scottish internationalist was instantly linked with a move to the King Power Stadium, with The Scottish Sun stating that Rodgers will make a £25m move for the left-back.

Now while I don’t doubt Tierney’s talent, I actually think he’s probably the best player in the Scottish Premiership, I am not convinced he’s a player Leicester City need.

The Foxes have Ben Chilwell as their left-back and he’s made twenty-six Premier League appearances thus far this season. The twenty-two year old’s performances have seen him win five England caps since September.

Tierney is a very accomplished full-back that always gives 100%. He’s great at giving his side an outlet on the left and he can also do well when challenging tricky wingers.

Would definitely interest Rodgers if he needs a new left-sided fullback but I believe the manager will stick with Chilwell.

James Forrest

The right winger enjoyed his best footballing years whilst playing under Brendan Rodgers.

Forrest is a tenacious forward that loves to attack opposition defences and he also works hard for his team by tracking back.

James has scored thirteen times for Celtic this season and also grabbed five strikes in his last two games for Scotland.

Rodgers paid the winger plenty of compliments during their time together at Celtic Park:

“He’s one of the best I’ve ever worked with in terms of taking the ball so tight to the line. He has the ability to beat people on the inside or outside and he’s got different ways of finishing.”

“Wingers are so important at this level. They can’t afford to switch off. Tactically, they have to participate in the game all the time. Sometimes you can get away with turning the engine off domestically, but you can’t at this level.”

“That’s one of the big things he has improved, his concentration level. His pressing, hunger and desire to get the ball is great, then it gets him into areas where he can really show his quality.”

Brendan might believe that James Forrest will offer his new team a direct threat and more pace when comparing him to English top flight winner Marc Albrighton.

Alfredo Morelos 

Leicester City haven’t been banging them in this season. Their thirty-four goal tally has been bettered by eleven other teams in the Premier League this term.

Jamie Vardy is still getting goals but he’s scored just nine times in the league and that’s eight more than any other Foxes out and out striker.

Rodgers might look at the forward area and think it needs improved. That could possibly see him look to former rivals Rangers.

Alfredo Morelos leads the Scottish Premiership scoring charts this season with fifteen goals in twenty-three games. The striker has bagged a whopping forty-five goals in eighty-two games for The Gers.

He does have disciplinary issues but I doubt he’d be targeted the same way down south. He’s also got good strong link-up play and leads the line well as a solo hitman. His time in Scotland has since seen him capped at senior level by Colombia.

Veteran forward Jermain Defoe has come out and stated that his teammate could score in the English Premier League (Source – HITC):

“And if you are asking me if he is good enough to play in the Premier League, of course. I believe that if he played in the Premier League, he would score goals.”

Brendan Rodgers might believe that Alfredo Morelos could prove to be a bargain buy and a risk worth taking!

Posted on February 27th, 2019 by scott
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