Why Leicester signing this 29-year-old man has added some valuable depth to their strong defence

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Rohan Sengupta

Why Leicester have done a smart job by signing Ryan Bennett on loan

Leicester City confirmed the signing of defender Ryan Bennett on loan from Wolves for the rest of the season on the transfer deadline day.

Ryan Bennett, 29, joined Wolves from Norwich City back in May 2017 and helped the club to promotion to the top-flight in his first year. He went on to play on a further 40 occasions in all competitions last season, as Wolves earned a seventh-place finish in the Premier League.

The former England Under-21 international played 19 times in all competitions for the Wanderers this term, scoring once in the Europa League before joining Leicester City.

Ryan Bennett in action for Wolves. (Getty Images)
Ryan Bennett in action for Wolves. (Getty Images)

The Foxes have mightily impressed under Brendan Rodgers this season, especially the attacking players such as Jamie Vardy, James Maddison, Ayoze Perez, Harvey Barnes and Youri Tielemans linking up superbly. The Foxes have scored 54 goals in the league so far this season.

Rodgers’ side have been defensively resolute as well. They have the third-best defensive record in the division, conceding only 26 goals in 25 games. Despite Harry Maguire’s departure to Manchester United during the summer transfer window, Leicester have seldom looked like missing the England international.

Caglar Soyuncu, who joined from SC Freiburg last season, has stepped up following Maguire’s exit. He has formed a strong partnership at the back with Jonny Evans. However, the Foxes have lacked a reliable back-up for their first-choice defenders, with Wes Morgan currently injured and in the final year of his contract.

Filip Benkovic, who spent last season on loan at Celtic, where he helped the Hoops to the ‘Treble’ treble, has not played a single league game this season. He joined Bristol City on loan for the rest of the campaign on the transfer deadline day. With Morgan injured and Benkovic joining Bristol on loan, Leicester needed to bring a defender by hook or crook. And they brought in Wolves centre-back Bennett on loan.

Caglar Soyuncu of Leicester City shakes hands with Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Newcastle United at The King Power Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Getty Images)
Caglar Soyuncu of Leicester City shakes hands with Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Newcastle United at The King Power Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Getty Images)

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Bennett is an experienced defender, having made 100 appearances in the Premier League and adds some valuable depth to the squad. The Englishman is a solid addition to Rodgers’ squad which lacked a fit and experienced back-up for Soyuncu and Evans.

Verdict

Having allowed Benkovic to join Bristol City on loan and Morgan suffering an injury, it was imperative for the Foxes to sign a defender in January. And they did a good job by signing Bennett on loan from Wolves.