'Absolutely no question' goals will come for 'really important' Leicester City star

Patson Daka has been tipped by manager Brendan Rodgers to become a “really important player” for Leicester City this season now he has settled into Premier League life.

The Zambian striker was City’s big signing of last summer, arriving in a £23 million deal from RB Salzburg. He scored a creditable 11 goals, a tally only bettered by James Maddison and Jamie Vardy, but he ended the campaign in a dry patch, netting just once in his final 15 outings.

But he impressed in pre-season and retains the faith of his manager, who is certain he has the ability to regularly find the net. And now Daka has a better understanding of the Premier League, he should be able to get on the scoresheet even more often, Rodgers has suggested.

“I’ve been really pleased with Patson,” the City boss said. “He has come back and he’s looked very good after adapting to the Premier League last year. He’s there, and he’s going to be really important for us this year.

“I’ve seen the improvements in him and the confidence in him and there’s absolutely no question he will score goals at this level. He has settled in really well and I think he’ll be a really important player for us this year.”

Daka may be competing for a start in the City line-up this weekend when they face Southampton. If Harvey Barnes is not fit, Rodgers could deploy a diamond midfield and two strikers against the Saints as he did for the final 25 minutes at Arsenal.

That would see Daka and Kelechi Iheanacho battling to partner Jamie Vardy up front. Daka has been used off the bench in both of City’s matches so far.