Craig Shakespeare seems to be determined to prove his managerial abilities at the King Power Stadium as he prepares for the upcoming Premier League campaign.
His precocious measures in strengthening the team have already made headway with the addition of Harry Maguire from Hull City for a stupendous fee of around £17m. Now he is more than keen on bolstering his midfield with the inclusion of eccentric playmaker and talisman Gylfi Sigurdsson from Swansea City.
The player is currently contract bound at the Liberty Stadium till 2020 and club officials would no doubt play hardball in letting go of their star midfielder. It is reported that the Swans are looking for a fee around £40m for their Iceland International and nothing less would make them budge.
Except for Mahrez, Leicester have seriously lacked the quality and supplies from the midfield post the departure of Kante to Chelsea last season. No wonder Shakespeare wants to include the playmaker to his squad.
Let’s take a look at the stats of the 27-year-old.
Player Stats
The former Spurs player had featured in all 38 games in the Premier League going on to register 9 goals and 13 assists in the process. It just goes to show how much of a key figure he had been at the Liberty Stadium.
The Iceland international’s immaculate vision and creativity to pick players early in the box and eye of the needle through passes could give terrible nightmares to any defender.
He has maintained an impressive 77% pass success rate in the league last season going on to provide the Swans with a sumptuous 51 key passes.
The player’s defensive contribution is also noteworthy with 35 interceptions.
Also with the quality to play in various positions in the midfield and even on the wing, the talented individual would infuse dynamism and versatility in any team.
Certainly a lucrative prospect to have at any club. (Stats via WhoScored)
What’ll he offer the club?
Craig Shakespeare is looking to reform the club back to its lethal version of the 2015-16 season and for that, he seriously needs to include quality to his team and Sigurdsson is definitely a top-of-the-rack material when it comes to midfield players.
The 27-year-old would infuse the much-needed creativity and flair that the Foxes had missed in most parts of last season. Also with his agility and quick reflex action added with the talent to change positions, he is a nightmare to mark and would be a potent threat for any opponent.
Also with rumour clouds gathering at the King Power Stadium over the possible departure of Riyad Mahrez, Shakespeare should waste no time in getting the Iceland International.
Worth the Money?
Gylfi Sigurdsson has been a fan favourite with the Swans since his arrival at the Liberty Stadium in 2014 and is one of their star players who had contributed and helped the Swans with 22 goals(score and assist) last season it seems pretty normal to ask for such heavy reimbursement.
The £40m is much worthy of the player but it is something to be waited upon as to see whether the Foxes break the bank for the 27-year-old or not.
But certainly, a deal to light up the King Power Stadium, it’s all up to Craig now!
