Leicester
Comparing Leicester and Liverpool stars – Stats show who has been the better centre-back
Comparing Soyuncu and Van Dijk – PL’s best centre-backs right now
Defenders are as vital to a team as strikers are. Sir Alex Ferguson once rightly said, ‘Attacks wins you games, defence wins you titles’, and that is why centre-backs have developed to become more influential in the game of football.
Most centre-backs have qualities of aggression and they fight like warriors for their team. They are the ones who protect the team.
Over the past decade, Premier League has witnessed many great centre-backs who have put in solid defensive displays. Sometimes, defenders are not recognized as much as the strikers in the world of football, but they seem to be a great deal.
Currently in the Premier League, there are many centre-backs who have made a massive difference for their respective teams. This season, we have two such centre-backs who have been more influential in their team’s successful run.
Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk and Leicester City’s Caglar Soyuncu are doing wonders for their teams at the moment.
Van Dijk, UEFA Men’s player of 2019 and Goal 50 winner, has been the core of Liverpool’s transformation since arriving at the club. He was the most important player when Liverpool won the Champions League last season and has continued to grow stronger coming into this season.
Meanwhile, Caglar Soyuncu has just come into the frame this season, playing as a centre-back for Leicester City. He has been a revelation under Brendan Rodgers this year after taking the place of Harry Maguire, who departed for Manchester United in the summer.
Now let’s analyze both the centre-backs’ stats and take a look at who has fared better.
Game time
Both Soyuncu and Van Dijk have been entrusted with the task of keeping the opponents quiet. According to whoscored both of them have featured in all 12 games in the league, amounting to 1080 minutes.
Goals and assists
As centre-backs, they may not have many goalscoring opportunities. While both have scored a goal each, Soyuncu has also assisted once for his team.
Pass Success
Comparing their pass success, Soyuncu’s is higher up the ranks where he has 87.8% accuracy to Van Dijk’s 86.5%.
Tackles
In defensive duties, Soyuncu has made successful tackles at an average of 2.3 per game and Van Dijk has made just 0.8 tackles per game.
Soyuncu seems to be more successful than Van Dijk while attempting successful tackles this season.
Aerial Duels and Interceptions
With an average of 5.5 aerial duels won, Van Dijk seems to have bettered Soyuncu’s 3.5. Van Dijk has an average of 1 interception per game, which is not too less than Soyuncu’s 1.5 per game.
Clearances
Soyuncu has an average of 5.5 clearances per game. Van Dijk is not far behind at 5.2 per game.
Verdict
With an overall average of 7.25, Soyuncu has made a better impact for the Foxes than Van Dijk’s 7.25 for the Reds. This has ensure that Leicester City have kept more clean sheets (5) than Liverpool (2).
It is clear that Soyuncu looks better when compared to Van Dijk statistically, but the Liverpool man has bought laurels to his team and has been at the top of his game for the past few years.
On the other hand, Soyuncu has just begun his career and has shown promises of reaching his potential in the future.
Leicester
Leicester City Chase Alisha Lehmann From Como as Foxes Target World’s Most Followed Footballer
Leicester City entered serious discussions with FC Como on January 16, 2026 to acquire Swiss forward Alisha Lehmann.
The 26-year-old joined the Serie A outfit on a three-year contract from Juventus in August 2025 and has made six appearances. Leicester remain unclear whether they will pursue a loan or permanent deal, but the move represents an ambitious statement of intent from the Foxes during the January window.
The World’s Most Followed Female Footballer
Lehmann boasts an extraordinary 16 million Instagram followers, making her the most-followed female footballer globally. Beyond her social media dominance, she is a genuinely elite player with 64 Switzerland caps and a Serie A title won at Juventus in 2024-25. Her WSL experience across West Ham, Everton and Aston Villa makes her ideally suited for English football’s demands. Leicester’s pursuit of Lehmann represents confidence in their trajectory as they look to climb the table.
Strategic Window Activity
Leicester have been aggressive in January, already signing Ashleigh Neville from Tottenham, Rachel Williams from Manchester United and Sarah Mayling on loan from Aston Villa.
Each addition brings WSL experience, suggesting Leicester’s strategic focus on proven domestic talent. Lehmann would represent their marquee capture, elevating them from mid-table aspirants to genuine top four contenders. Her profile alone could transform Leicester’s commercial and sporting standing immediately.
The Reality Check
However, Leicester must face an uncomfortable truth. Lehmann left Juventus seeking playing time at Como, a club fighting relegation in Serie A. Leicester currently sit ninth in the WSL with inconsistent form.
Asking a player of her calibre to move sideways from Italy to England’s second tier suggests Leicester are overreaching. Lehmann deserves consistent European competition. Leicester might be better served consolidating current acquisitions rather than pursuing marquee names they cannot yet afford to satisfy at her level.
Sheffield United officially completed the signing of Leicester City midfielder Simone Sherwood on loan on January 12, 2026. The 19-year-old moves to Bramall Lane until the end of the season seeking regular first team football and continued development.
Sherwood progressed through the Leicester academy system and has made eight appearances for the Foxes across all competitions. She represented England at various youth levels before moving to Sheffield United for valuable playing time in the second half of the 2025-26 season.
Academy Graduate Development Path
Sherwood has come through the Leicester City academy system and recently broke into the senior squad during the opening months of the campaign. Her eight competitive appearances demonstrated promise but insufficient opportunities for consistent game time.
The 19-year-old midfielder recognized that a loan move to WSL2 would provide the platform for regular football and accelerated development. Sheffield United offered an ideal environment where she could feature consistently and gain valuable experience in competitive professional football.
Excitement About the Challenge
Sherwood expressed genuine excitement about joining Sheffield United, stating she looked forward to helping the team while developing her game this season.
She appreciated the welcoming atmosphere from teammates and noted that familiar faces helped ease her first day at Bramall Lane. The midfielder understood the importance of playing regularly and viewed Sheffield United as the perfect opportunity to progress her career at this crucial stage of her development.
Sheffield United Momentum
Sheffield United continued their decent form in WSL2 and sought to maintain momentum throughout January and beyond. Sherwood’s arrival adds depth to the midfield as the club pursued promotion ambitions.
Sheffield United faced Crystal Palace at Bramall Lane on January 12, providing potential debut opportunity for Sherwood depending on team selection. The Blades recognized her potential as an academy graduate and provided the platform for her to accelerate her progression within competitive football.
Also read: Jodie Taylor Appointed Arsenal Women’s First Ever Technical Director
Leicester
Tottenham Defender Ash Neville Joins Leicester City on One and a Half Year Deal as Club Legend Departs After Eight Seasons
Tottenham Hotspur defender Ash Neville has signed for Leicester City for an undisclosed fee, bringing an end to her eight year spell at Spurs.
The 32 year old full back has agreed a one and a half year contract with the Foxes holding an additional one year extension option.
Neville has made over 100 appearances for Tottenham in the top flight since their promotion to the WSL in 2018-19. She signed from Coventry United in 2017 and became the first Spurs player to make a century of WSL appearances, finishing with 115 league games and 191 appearances overall.
New Challenge Awaits Club Legend
Speaking to Foxes Hub, Neville explained her decision to move. “This is a new challenge, and I want to help the team put as many points on the board as possible. I’m hoping that the experience I have both on and off the pitch can help. Now is the right time for a new challenge and I’m looking forward to seeing what this new chapter will bring.”
The defender could face her former teammates on Sunday as the WSL resumes following the winter break. Leicester currently sit in the Championship after relegation last season but are targeting an immediate return to the top flight.
Spurs Pay Tribute to Pioneer
Tottenham managing director Andy Rogers paid tribute to Neville’s contribution. “Ash’s contribution to the club has been immense. She has been influential on our journey to establishing ourselves as a Women’s Super League team, and she departs as an undisputed club legend.”
Rogers added: “A true pioneer of the women’s game on and off the pitch, Ash has always shown love and care to her teammates, staff, and our supporters. Forever a member of the Spurs family.”
Also read: Arsenal Women disable social media comments after sexist backlash to new signing
- Liverpool13 years ago
Raheem Sterling Age 17 Kids 3 Women 2
- Arsenal13 years ago
Etienne Capoue To Become An Arsenal Player In Summer
- Arsenal13 years ago
Arsenal Defender Nacho Monreal Doesn’t Agree The Direction The Club Is Going.
- Arsenal13 years ago
Robin van Persie wants to move back to Arsenal
- Arsenal13 years ago
Report: Arsenal Could Sign A Striker Next Week
- Headlines13 years ago
Manchester United Preparing A (Javier Hernandez + De Gea + 55 Million) Bid For Ronaldo
- Arsenal13 years ago
Arsenal Planning To Bring In ‘Next Fabregas’
- Headlines13 years ago
Three Reasons Why Manchester United Must Sign This “Next Vidic”