Leicester City should utilise Brighton connection to land huge James Justin upgrade in January

Leicester City should utilise Brighton connection to land huge James Justin upgrade in January.

Leicester City tasted a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Liverpool on Boxing Day, exposing their defensive frailties once more.

 

Leicester now have the Premier League’s joint-worst defence alongside Wolves after conceding 40 goals in their first 18 matches.

The Foxes have shown no signs of improving in that department under the guidance of Ruud van Nistelrooy having shipped 10 goals in his first four matches in charge.

 

Defensive targets are being eyed by Leicester ahead of the January transfer window, and one player they’re looking to upgrade is James Justin.

 

Justin was poor against Liverpool as he allowed Cody Gakpo far too much space to cut inside and shoot, resulting in a goal.

Sadly, sloppy defending and schoolboy errors have been the story of the Englishman’s season, and van Nistelrooy must look to sign a new full-back option in January.

Leicester should use Brighton connection to land Valentin Barco on loan

Leicester used the Premier League loan market to sign Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton in the summer.

 

The Argentine attacking midfielder has seen his performance levels drop in recent weeks but a return of four goals and two assists suggests he’s been a bright spark going forward.

Buonanotte is one of several young talents that the Seagulls own and left-back Valentin Barco is another.

 

The 20-year-old was loaned out to Sevilla in the summer but he’s only played 36 minutes of football in La Liga since the end of September, and now Fabrizio Romano has reported that Brighton will recall the youngster in January and loan him out once more.

Buonanotte is one of several young talents that the Seagulls own and left-back Valentin Barco is another.

 

The 20-year-old was loaned out to Sevilla in the summer but he’s only played 36 minutes of football in La Liga since the end of September, and now Fabrizio Romano has reported that Brighton will recall the youngster in January and loan him out once more.

As per FBref, the 2004-born defender ranks in the top 1% of full-backs across Europe for tackles per 90 in the past year, the top 6% for shots and the top 20% for shot-creating actions, evincing his defensive and attacking qualities.

 

So, with right-back Ricardo Pereira potentially returning in March, perhaps van Nistelrooy should use the loan market to sign Barco but it can only be possible if one key thing happens.

With only two loans allowed from Premier League clubs, Crystal Palace must recall Edouard for the Foxes to sign another in January.

 

Luckily, the strikers’ nightmare could be brought to an abrupt end as van Nistelrooy has hinted at Edouard’s exit in the transfer window.

 

Speaking about his lack of game time, the Dutchman said: “It’s clear we have three number nines, with Jamie (Vardy), with Patson and with Edou. Every game there are decisions to be made on the nines you bring in your squad.

 

“I’m going to look at how many players in each position I need, and so far it’s been Jamie and Patson who have been chosen. But he’s fit and he’s training and it can change every week.”

 

So, if Leicester manage to send Edouard back, it is possible they could use their connection with Brighton to sign Barco on loan, who would resolve one problem position.