Why Leicester must sign Lyon’s Bertrand Traore to add depth
Leicester City have been linked with Olympique Lyon striker Bertrand Traore, according to Sport Witness h/t Leicester Mercury).
Traore started his career with Auxerre before finishing his development at Chelsea. He left Stamford Bridge in 2017 for current side Lyon. The Burkina Faso international spent time on loan at Vitesse and Ajax during his Chelsea stint. Traore has scored three goals so far this season in all competitions [Courtesy: Whoscored]. The 24-year-old scored 13 league goals during his first season with Lyon, and 7 in his second campaign.
Bertrand Traore of Lyon (Image credit: Getty)
Like most youth products of Chelsea, he struggled to hold down a regular first-team place and made only 16 appearances in all competitions during his time in West London. Traore spent time on loan at Vitesse and AFC Ajax before completing a permanent move back to France, joining Lyon. He’s scored 32 times in 115 appearances for the French top-tier team, assisting 16 times. He has 49 caps for Burkina Faso, his country.
He put up a great individual performance in an extraordinary performance showcased by his country, during the 2017 AFCON in Gabon. They were one of the teams who went into the competition as underdogs, but their performances against Guinea, Ghana, Tunisia and even against Egypt, who knocked them out in the semi-finals, proved how good and prepared they were. And Bertrand Traore was arguably their best player of the tournament.
Considering the lack of end product from Rachid Ghezzal and Demarai Gray this season, it’s hardly a surprise to see Brendan Rodgers chasing a winger.
Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers wants to boost his attacking ranks this month, with the club in the race to the top four, and while he hasn’t been in impressive form for Lyon this term, the Burkina Faso international has unfinished business in the Premier League.
Leicester City have been terrific this season under Brendan Rodgers. Their transfer strategy has been spot on and the likes of Tielemans, Ayoze Perez and Praet have been putting in fantastic performances on a consistent basis.
James Maddison has been on fire this season while striker Jamie Vardy sits on top of the goalscorers’ chart for the 2019-20 Premier League season. Although Leicester have former Manchester City striker Iheanacho in their ranks, the youngster has struggled in the Premier League. Bringing in someone like Traore would be a smart move.
Verdict
Traore would be a very good signing for Leicester City. The 23-year-old has proven since leaving Chelsea in 2017 that he deserves a second bite of the cherry in the Premier League. And the Foxes are in need of at least one new right-winger after Ghezzal’s disastrous first campaign at the King Power Stadium. Traore is also capable of operating in numerous other positions across the attack, so would be useful in that regard.
The Foxes have Ayoze Perez operating on the right but someone like Traore would bring depth and competition to that spot. Hence, Rodgers must get him.
