Why Leicester City should make a move for Lewis Dunk in January

According to a report from the Leicester Mercury, Leicester City were interested in signing Brighton’s Lewis Dunk as Harry Maguire’s replacement this summer. However, a deal didn’t go through and the defender has since stayed put at Brighton.

Harry Maguire left Leicester City to join Manchester United as he became the world’s most expensive defender this summer. The England international, who has established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League, was a pillar at the back for the Foxes last season.

However, Leicester failed to sign a replacement for Maguire, opening the door for Caglar Soyuncu to step into the team and make a mark.

Soyuncu made just six appearances in his debut season with the Foxes. Comfortable on the ball and strong in the air, there is a lot of similarity in the Turk’s style of play with Maguire.

He has been solid this season, prior to the Foxes’ trip to Old Trafford, sparking some discussion between the Leicester community as to whether he is better than Maguire.

But Soyuncu wasn’t at his best at Old Trafford at the weekend as he brought down Marcus Rashford for the match-defining penalty in the 1-0 win for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United.

It’s not the first time Soyuncu has been suspect at the back in Leicester colours; he had been prone to rash decision-making during his maiden campaign, picking up two yellow cards and also being partial to a mistake when placed under pressure.

The young Turk will only get better with time, age and experience but it’s clear he cannot be deemed a straight replacement for Maguire.

Brendan Rodgers needs to be aware of this and prioritise signing a central defender when the January transfer window opens. To put things plainly, Rodgers should reignite his interest in Lewis Dunk.

Dunk, 27, is a key part of the Seagulls’ defence, making 38 appearances in all competitions last season and helping the club avoid relegation. His impressive campaign with Brighton earned him a maiden call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England side back in November 2018.

The Brighton-born centre-back can be considered a late bloomer, having only spent the past two seasons in the Premier League. Considering his physical attributes, the 27-year-old would fit the bill of replacing Maguire – another towering centre-back.

Physically strong and a robust tackler, Dunk gets off the ground quickly to beat his offensive counterparts while defending corners and set-pieces. He is also adept at making crucial interceptions and does not hesitate to throw his body on the line to make goal-saving blocks.

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The Englishman may not be easy on the eye but he just loves the art of defending. The 27-year-old is a real leader and could be exactly what Leicester’s defence needs.

Verdict

With that being said, the Foxes shouldn’t have second thoughts about signing Dunk, who could fill the huge void left by Maguire.