Anthony Knockaert played an integral part in Leicester City’s promotion to the Premier League but has hardly featured this season. So what’s gone wrong?
In the summer of 2012, an unknown Frenchman signed for the East Midlands club from Guingamp, as the reinstated Nigel Pearson aimed to build upon his return to the hotseat at the King Power stadium after a 2 year stint at Hull City.
Soon though, with his fancy footwork and a catalogue of stunning goals, Knockaert was instantly raised to fan favourite status. He netted on nine occasions from 47 appearances in his debut season for the Foxes, quickly establishing himself as one of the most electrifying talents in England’s second tier among his fellow professionals.
Knockaert, however, would be left broken-hearted at the end of the season, as he took a crucial penalty that would have sent Leicester City to the Championship play-off final. Extraordinary events followed as Watford keeper Maunel Almunia saved his spot kick and Troy Deeney scored from the counter-attack at Vicarage Road.
Many thought the devastated Knockaert and Leicester City would never recover from such a gut-wrenching fortune, but instead it seemed to drive the Foxes towards the Championship title the following season. There was so much attention paid to Leicester’s artful attacking midfielder that he found himself the subject of rumours of a £5m move to Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.
Now, that must seem a lifetime ago to the Frenchman, as he has only made 5 starts from his eleven appearances and has also been playing with Leicester’s development squad this season. Many of the Leicester faithful are questioning, what has become of Anthony Knockaert?
One theory is that boss Pearson has fallen out with his rising young star over alleged comments made in an interview with French press, Foot Mercato at the beginning of this season, describing Leicester City as a ‘springboard’ to reach a better club. Another possibility is that his over-eagerness to be a showman may not fit into the manager’s plans. Finally,it could be as a result of the home-grown quota ruling in the Premier League, as the Foxes currently have a large squad of players.
The attacking midfielder’s exclusion, however, has stunned many pundits and fans alike, and is a possible reason for the tenuous position the club find themselves in. This may be unlikely to have made any difference, though, as individual defensive mistakes and lack of finishing are probably more likely. Pearson, it would seem, prefers the more workmanlike Algerian Riyad Mahrez or the ex-Fleetwood forward Jamie Vardy in the wide areas.
There’s no doubt the impact the Frenchman has made for Leicester City but looks as if his days are numbered and his stint in England could be about to end, as Knockaert, 23, is one of 10 players whose contract with the Foxes is expiring at the end of the season. He would be free, under the Bosman ruling, to seek a move elsewhere.
So where next for the charismatic Frenchman? It is understood he has already reportedly been to Standard Liege to check out the facilities and discuss personal terms with the Belgian side. Wherever the captivating playmaker ends up, if he does leave Leicester, he will surely be treasured by supporters and management alike.
Main Photo:
