PSV prodigy Noni Madueke stars in goalless Leicester audition

Leicester City failed to take a lead into next week’s second leg of the Foxes’ Europa Conference League quarter-final against PSV Eindhoven as the two sides played out a goalless draw at the King Power Stadium.

Although the scoreline suggests a dull affair in the East Midlands, it was anything but with both teams competitive in what was an end-to-end contest.

It was just that final touch of quality in the final third that was missing for both sides.

Brendan Rodgers will certainly have to be wary of the threat that PSV have on offer, particularly in the final third with the likes of Noni Madueke, Cody Gakpo and Mario Götze all showing plenty of quality in Leicestershire.

In fact, if anyone in a red and white shirt looked like they were going to architect a breakthrough for the visitors, it was Madueke, the 20-year-old English sensation.

The former Tottenham youngster made the move to Holland in 2018, having made the move from South London to North London in 2014 when swapping Crystal Palace for Spurs.

Having impressed for the Eindhoven-based outfit’s youth sides, the 20-year-old made his first-team debut in January 2020 and his stock has continued to rise ever since.

Two years on and the winger has scored 18 goals and registered 13 assists in 66 appearances for PSV as well as now being integrated into the England U21 side by Lee Carsley.

Naturally, when an English talent rises from the ashes, speculation over a possible big move naturally develops. Madueke’s case has been no different.

In fact, it was Thursday’s opponent Leicester who were linked with a move for the young Englishman last summer, and they’re expected to swoop again in the upcoming transfer window.

If the two legs of this quarter-final are to be an audition ahead of a potential move in the summer, then the 20-year-old certainly made a good start at the King Power.

The winger demonstrated plenty of pace, skill, agility and directness, an abundance of traits desired in a wide man.

Rodgers could well be short of options on the flanks come summer too with Ademola Lookman’s loan spell from RB Leipzig concluding whilst Marc Albrighton is now 32 and Ayoze Perez has been limited to just eight Premier League appearances this term.

There’s still plenty to play for heading into the Foxes’ trip to the southern Dutch city next Thursday. Although, against a PSV side with a rich European pedigree and just eight defeats across all competitions this season, progression in the Europa Conference League will be a tall task.

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