According to a recent report by The Sun, Premier League high-flyers Leicester City secured the shock deadline day signing of Wolves’ defensive stalwart Ryan Bennett, as Brendan Rodgers looks to add more defensive cover to his Champions League-chasing side. The Foxes currently find themselves in the fourth spot on the league table and are well placed to finish the term in the top four. With Chelsea and the chasing pack hot on their trail, it’s important for Leicester that they don’t drop off the pace at any point.
The deal that saw Bennett move to the King Power Stadium is actually a loan move, which also includes an option to buy him worth £5m at the end of the season. It has been suggested that Rodgers was keen to find an English defender to replace Harry Maguire in the team and that he pounced when the chance to acquire Bennett presented itself. The transfer was completed rather swiftly, and the player expressed his excitement in making a move to one of the Premier League’s current ‘top four’ clubs.
What Is Ryan Bennett’s Legacy In The Premier League?
The 29-year-old came through the Ipswich Town and Grimsby academies before eventually making a name for himself at Norwich City. After five years at Carrow Road, he eventually moved to Wolves on a free transfer in the summer of 2017. Since the move, the Englishman has gone on to become a regular in the Wolves back-line, with only injuries deterring him from playing every game.
The veteran defender has made over 100 Premier League appearances for Norwich City and Wolves, and he continues to be one of Nuno Espirito Santo’s most trusted defensive commanders. Strong in the air and intelligent with his positioning, the Englishman has showcased his quality on multiple occasions over the last couple of seasons and is arguably one of the better English centre-halves in the league.
Why Leicester City Have Been Shrewd In Acquiring Bennett
The Foxes’ regular central defensive pairing this season has been Jonny Evans and Caglar Soyunçu, and as solid as they’ve been, there’s no denying that the former is already in the wrong side of his thirties. Also, whenever Brendan Rodgers has moved to a back three, he’s been forced to switch second-choice full-back, Christian Fuchs, into a central role, which hasn’t worked out too well for them this season either.
Moreover, Rodgers will surely be hesitant to recall Filip Benkovic from his loan spell at Bristol City, especially considering that they’re still unsure whether he’s first-team material. All things considered, this Ryan Bennett move does make sense for Leicester City. The Englishman can be a rock at the back, and will undoubtedly give his all for the team every time he’s out on the pitch. With the possibility of Champions League football in the offing for the veteran centre-half as well, he’s sure to impress Rodgers and make his way into the side in the coming weeks.
