After the move fell through, Enzo Maresca insisted on bringing up the "unbelievable" Patson Daka
- Chief Editor
- Sep 14, 2023
- 2 min read
14.09.2023 | Football in my DNA
The Leicester City manager has spoken about where the striker stands after his deadline-day moves to AC Milan and Bournemouth failed to come off, leaving him at the King Power Stadium
Patson Daka will be considered for selection at Leicester City after his deadline-day transfers fell through, Enzo Maresca has insisted.
Daka saw switches to AC Milan and Bournemouth called off on the final day of the transfer window, meaning he is a City player until at least January, unless he secures a surprise move to Turkey before their deadline on Friday night.
The striker has found himself down the pecking order under Maresca and is yet to feature in a competitive game. Daka’s Zambia boss Avram Grant has encouraged City to call on the “natural scorer” and Maresca has said he is in contention, the Italian anticipating “no problems” in reintegrating him into the group.
“He was one of the players who could leave but it doesn’t happen,” Maresca said at his press conference on Thursday morning, ahead of the trip to Southampton. “Now he’s here, he’s with us, and for me he’s one of the players. If we need him, we will use him.
“He’s a quick player, he can attack in behind, run in behind. He can also link in the way we want to play. He’s a complete player for us. If we need him, we’re going to use him.
“First of all he’s a good guy. It’s unbelievable, he’s always laughing and positive even if he didn’t play with us this year. Now the transfer window is closed, there’s no problems.”
To get into the team, Daka will have to overtake Kelechi Iheanacho and Jamie Vardy, who have been City’s starter and deputy up front so far this season, with Maresca tending to bring Vardy on in Iheanacho’s place for the final half-hour of matches. Neither have yet scored a Championship goal though.
Daka’s chances of being in the squad at Southampton have improved after Tom Cannon picked up an unspecified injury. The deadline-day recruit would have been hoping to make his debut at St Mary’s, but will now stay at home.
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