Why Remy Cabella would be a perfect signing for Leicester in January
French playmaker Remy Cabella did not really live up to his billing in the Premier League at Tyneside but the 28-year-old has continued to flourish in Ligue 1. He has been in fine form this season, accumulating 3 goals and 2 assists for St. Etienne from 15 appearances in the league.
A youth product of Montpellier, Cabella was a seasoned campaigner for his boyhood club from 2009 to 2014 where he scored 24 goals from 97 appearances. A hugely successful 2013/14 season at Montpellier where he amassed 14 goals and 5 assists, earned him a move to Newcastle United in the summer of 2014.
Cabella wasn’t outrightly poor in the Premier League but the Magpies had every reason to expect a lot more from their marquee signing. Following a lean spell at Tyneside, the Frenchman went back to Ligue 1 and signed a deal with Marseille. After three mediocre seasons with Marseille, Cabella shifted bases to St. Etienne at the start of last season and has taken his career to a new level.
The 28-year-old, who has 4 caps for France at the senior level, racked up 7 goals and 6 assists last term and has carried his impressive form into the ongoing campaign as well.
A central attacking midfielder by trade, Cabella is known for his goal-scoring ability as a midfielder. He has a wonderful technique which allows him to run with the ball glued to his feet and his intricate first-touch helps him to create space for himself. The Frenchman has also been used as a wide playmaker down the left where he cuts inside to allow the full-backs to join the attack.
The Frenchman has good awareness as a playmaker, using his quick passing to keep the ball moving in the final third. To add to that, he has a good eye for goal and tends to get into scoring positions inside the box.
The 28-year-old is also known for his flair, agility and dribbling skills. His good turn of pace and quick acceleration allows him to take on the defenders. Furthermore, he has an incredible vision for a playmaker and can set up goals with subtle flick-ons, back-heels and picture-perfect through balls.
To put things perspective, he would be an ideal signing for Leicester City. He did not have the best of times in his first spell in the Premier League but it will be harsh to label a player of his quality as a flop.
After a series of lacklustre results, Leicester City turned their fortunes around with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea away from home this week. The Foxes moved into the top-ten in the standings but Claude Puel’s men still have a lot of work to do if they are to challenge the likes of Manchester United and Everton for a Europa League spot.
And to do that, they need to be more consistent. The Foxes have relied heavily on Jamie Vardy to deliver the goods but they have apparently lacked a plan ‘B’ when the Englishman hasn’t fired. Kelechi Iheanacho hasn’t lived up to the expectations as a supporting striker while Shinji Okazaki has fallen out of favour.
Summer recruit James Maddison has established himself as one of the best young players in the Premier League but Rachid Ghezzal has largely underwhelmed with his displays. At times, it has looked like Leicester have run out of ideas in the final third and have missed a trick.
And they can solve that issue by signing Remy Cabella in January as he has all the attributes to spark that creativity in the midfield at the King Power Stadium.