Leicester City ended a six-game winless streak with a commanding 3-1 victory over West Ham United at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday evening. The match marked an impressive start for new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who saw much-improved performances across the team, highlighted by Bilal El Khannouss’ exceptional display. The young Moroccan midfielder delivered a standout performance, contributing both a goal and an assist, earning high praise from Van Nistelrooy in his post-match press conference.
Goalkeeper Mads Hermansen also played a crucial role, making several key saves in the first half to keep Leicester in contention. Despite these individual highlights, Leicester’s defensive vulnerabilities were evident, as the team allowed 31 shots during the match. Addressing these defensive issues is critical, and the January transfer window presents an opportunity to strengthen the squad. Specifically, Leicester appears to need a left-footed defender to complement their backline.
One potential target for Leicester is Pascal Struijk of Leeds United. The Dutch centre-back has previously been on Leicester’s radar and has developed significantly during his time with Leeds. While Leeds may be reluctant to part with Struijk in January, financial pressures and regulations might force them to consider offers by the end of the season.
Struijk’s statistics highlight why he could be an ideal fit for Leicester under Van Nistelrooy’s leadership. Known for his excellent ball-playing skills, Struijk ranks in the top one percent for progressive passes, showcasing his ability to advance play from the back. He also ranks in the top four percent for pass completion, maintaining an impressive 91.4 percent success rate. These attributes align with Van Nistelrooy’s emphasis on building play from the defense, making Struijk a prime candidate to strengthen Leicester’s backline.
Although Leicester’s current central defenders, Conor Coady and Jannik Vestergaard, performed well against West Ham, their partnership is not viewed as a long-term solution. With defensive reinforcements clearly a priority, securing a player like Struijk could significantly improve Leicester’s defensive stability and contribute to their efforts to climb the league standings.