Why Leicester City must sign young defender Fode Ballo-Toure
French website Foot Mercato (h/t Leicestershire Live), Leicester City are keen on signing Monaco defender Fode Ballo-Toure.
The 23-year-old left-back had a breakthrough campaign last season with Monaco, whom he joined from former side Lyon back in January 2019. Despite joining the side recently, Frenchman Ballo-Toure established himself as the side’s first-choice left-back and was a starter in the side’s last 10 Ligue 1 matches under new boss Niko Kovac.
Also, Ballo-Toure’s swift rise through the ranks at the side like Monaco which has as many as five left-backs including him speaks volumes about his talent and potential.
With his performances improving with time, £18million-rated Monaco defender had already attracted interest from Manchester United.
Ballo-Toure a good replacement for Chilwell at Leicester
Meanwhile, Leicester City are on the lookout for a new left-back following the departure of Bin Chilwell last week. That said, Leicester City have identified rising left-back Ballo-Toure as a potential replacement for Chilwell next season.
Chilwell left for rivals Chelsea, leaving them with veteran Christian Fuchs and youngster Luke Thomas in that role. Though a Premier League winner with the Foxes some years ago, Fuchs has mostly played as a second fiddle to former man Chilwell, who was the obvious starter.
Now with Chilwell gone, Leicester just have one established left-back in Fuchs but his limited appearances in recent past suggest that he is nearing the end of his career. Also, Fuchs turned 34 last April, making complete sense of Leicester’s interest in a young but experienced defender like Ballo-Toure.
Academy graduate Luke Thomas, meanwhile, is still in his teens and lacks experience. He made his breakthrough for the Foxes at the end of last season, making three Premier League experiences.
Hence, Ballo-Toure seems like an excellent replacement for Chilwell and fits all the boxes, having already proved himself at Lille. In that sense, the Foxes must go ahead with their interest in the young Frenchman.
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Verdict
Leicester City are in real need of a young and established left-back in their squad. An already proven customer in France, his arrival will offer Rodgers a good option next season. Moreover, he is just 23 and still has plenty of football left in him, meaning he could go on to become their first-choice man in the future.
