He has since been used as a makeshift backup defensive midfielder and right back with no Leicester manager between that period prepared to give him a crack at his preferred center back position and many have argued that his versatility has been his undoing at the club.

When first team right back Danny Simpson was stretched off in Leicester’s 2-2 draw with Man United a few weeks ago, it looked like an opportunity for Amartey to finally have a crack at an extended run in the first team, even if it was at right back, but Amartey only made the situation worse after getting sent off after being on the field for just 13 minutes.

Amartey was earlier this week linked with a loan deal to English Championship side Aston Villa, and the backlash those links received from the Villa faithful showed how far the defender had fallen in terms of his reputation in England.

It has been clearly established that the Ghanaian has it all to do if he wants to convince current Leicester manager Claude Puel that he has what it takes to succeed in the premier league, and the performance against Chelsea on Saturday was certainly a positive way to stake a claim for a more regular spot in the team.

Amartey was a rock at right back as his Leicester City side held Chelsea to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The 23 year old was tasked with keeping Chelsea‘s Eden Hazard at bay and he executed his assignment to the letter.

His composure on and off the ball was reminiscent of that of great Brazilian full back Cafu, and it was very impressive watching a player who was seemingly being played out of position virtually pocket a player of Hazard’s quality for his entire duration on the pitch.

The fear of many before the game concerning Amartey, was how he would be able to keep his discipline especially against the constant threat of Chelsea’s left wingback Marcos Alonso, as well as Hazard, and Amartey duly delivered sailing through the game without even a booking.

Amartey was heavily involved in the game and his incredible 70 touches throughout the game was the third highest in the Leicester setup behind Riyad Mahrez and Wilfried Ndidi, and more than Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas. Amartey remarkably committed no foul during the game and made 3 key interceptions.

The leading newspaper in Leicester, The Leicester Mercury described his performance as his “best performance at right back,” as he exhibited the right balance of attacking and defensive responsibilities, galloping forward occasionally to support Riyad Mahrez and staying put when the need arose.

It’s certainly going to take more than one good performance for the Ghanaian to break into the Leicester first team but those who saw his performance on Saturday will agree it was a positive start.

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By: Daniel Koranteng/citifmonline.com/.Ghana

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The Reds, without Roberto Firmino and injured duo Philippe Coutinho and Mohamed Salah in their starting line-up, led through Sadio Mane’s second-half strike.

Johann Gudmundsson equalised with a late header, but Estonian centre-back Klavan scored in injury time.

Leicester beat Huddersfield 3-0, with Riyad Mahrez scoring and then assisting Islam Slimani, who was making only his second Premier League start of the season, because Jamie Vardy was out injured. Marc Albrighton scored their late third.

Newcastle beat fellow strugglers Stoke City 1-0, with Ayoze Perez scoring from close range.

Brighton and Bournemouth played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in the first Premier League game of 2018 – in a match with 42 shots, the record for a top-flight game this season. The Cherries twice came from behind, with Callum Wilson scoring a scrappy 79th-minute equaliser.

In the 17:30 GMT game, which is on BBC Radio 5 live, Everton are at home to Manchester United.

Premier League match reports

Brighton 2-2 Bournemouth

Burnley 1-2 Liverpool

Leicester 3-0 Huddersfield

Stoke 0-1 Newcastle

Source:BBC

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Alexandre Lacazette headed the Gunners ahead 94 seconds into his top-flight debut, Shinji Okazaki nodding in the equaliser just two minutes later.

Vardy slid the visitors ahead from Marc Albrighton’s cross, only for Danny Welbeck to stroke level on half-time.

Leicester took the lead again when Vardy headed in Riyad Mahrez’s corner before Arsene Wenger made an inspired double substitution which sparked Arsenal’s comeback.

The Gunners boss introduced Aaron Ramsey and Giroud after 67 minutes – within 20 minutes both players had scored as Arsenal turned defeat into victory.

Ramsey smashed in an angled drive – from a corner which was won after Mesut Ozil handled in the build-up – before Giroud showed athleticism and strength to meet Granit Xhaka’s corner.

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Source: BBC Sport

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Making a quick stop at both the Leicester City official website as well as the Premier League website before putting anything down was essential.

I needed to fully digest the fact that indeed the energetic and budding centre back from Ghana had slowly morphed into a midfielder.

His club side and the league he plays in have him tagged as a midfielder but is that who he really is a player?

Perhaps, the endless well of energy and his age are the two factors that have convinced the technical hands through which Amartey has passed to believe that his future lies in the middle of the park and not as a defender.

However, I do not share in this attempt to re-calibrate Amartey’s position. Amartey is suffering a situation I believe has arisen as a result of Leicester’s decision to prioritize loyalty ahead of pragmatism.

Wes Morgan has been a fantastic servant to the club but his continuous presence at the centre of Leicester’s defence is why Amartey has to settle for less.

Yes, playing in central midfield is forcing the young man to grope around in the dark in a position where his greatest strength will not be maximized.

He has made 38 appearances since joining the Foxes and while many will argue that play-making is far from his primary duties a passing accuracy of 83 percent with one assist to his name gives one a good idea of where his talents are better needed.

As the opening game of the 2017/2018 English Premier League season between Arsenal and Leicester edges closer, the status and progress of one of Leicester’s potential break out players remain murky.

Not knowing if he will be employed as a centre-back or central midfielder going into a game is problematic for a footballer and often leads to the situation where one eventually earns the tag of a utility player.

It kills any potential there is to specialize in key aspects of his game as well as developing signature attributes.

To make matters worse, he has seen his role within the team declined sharply since the departure of Claudio Ranieri last season.

The last thing he needs heading into a World Cup year is a club that considers him a back up option and will not play him in his strongest position.

The Premier League stage is bigger this season. The eyeballs that observe the game have doubled meaning that the time is ripe now more than ever for players to market themselves globally.

For the young Amartey, the time has come to define who and what he is as a player.

Amartey is expected to be part of the Leicester team that travels to play against Arsenal on the opening day of the 2017/2018 Premier League live on Citi FM brought to listeners by Premium Bank, Betway and Slydepay.

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By: Benjamin Nketsia/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Premier League champions progressed to the last eight by beating Spanish title-chasers Sevilla 3-2 on aggregate.

Leicester will play the first leg against last year’s beaten finalists away from home on 12 April, with the return leg on 18 April.

Holders Real Madrid face Bayern Munich, while Barcelona take on Juventus, and Borussia Dortmund play Monaco.

“Facing a team who have reached the final in two of the past three seasons is a massive challenge but it’s just the kind of tie you expect in the quarter-finals of the Champions League,” said Leicester manager Craig Shakespeare.

“Atletico Madrid are a very good team with some fantastic individuals with experience in the competition, but we’ll be ready to give everything to progress.

“It will be a brilliant occasion for our supporters and for everyone at the club, but before the players can begin to think about these games, we have Premier League matches to come that are of huge significance to our season.

“They will be our sole focus.”

Atletico are the only side left in the quarter-finals who Leicester have previously played, but the Foxes have not beaten the Spaniards in their four previous meetings.

Diego Simeone’s side were beaten by neighbours Real Madrid on penalties in last season’s Champions League final.

The 2014 Spanish champions are fourth in La Liga this season, five points adrift of third-placed Sevilla.

Full draw:

Atletico Madrid (Spain) v Leicester City (Eng)

Borussia Dortmund (Germany) v Monaco (France)

Bayern Munich (Germany) v Real Madrid (Spain)

Juventus (Italy) v Barcelona (Spain)

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Source: BBC

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The decision to dismiss the man who led them to arguably the greatest triumph in English football history was made after Wednesday’s 2-1 Champions League defeat in Seville.

The 65-year-old’s appointment was met with criticism when he replaced Nigel Pearson in July 2015 but he inspired a team which had narrowly escaped relegation to their first-ever Premier League title.

His remarkable achievement with a squad worth just £55million saw him named FIFA Coach of the Year.

But the Italian was unable to replicate his success this season.

While Leicester initially shone in the Champions League — winning their group — they desperately struggled in the Premier League.

The Foxes are yet to score a goal in the Premier League in 2017 and have picked up just one point from a possible 18.

They needed a replay and extra-time to get past Derby in the FA Cup fourth round only to be humbled by Millwall of League One in the last 16.

Despite their woeful form, Leicester had continued to back Ranieri and gave their beleaguered boss a vote of confidence earlier this month.

A club statement read: ‘Leicester City would like to make absolutely clear its unwavering support for Claudio Ranieri.

‘While there is a collective appreciation from everyone at the Club that recent form needs to improve, the unprecedented success achieved in recent seasons has been based firmly on stability, togetherness and determination to overcome even the greatest of challenges.

‘The entire club is and will remain united behind its manager and behind its players, collectively and firmly focused on the challenges ahead.’

Ranieri reaffirmed his commitment to the club in the build-up to the Champions League last-16 tie in Seville, suggesting that he could have left Leicester in the summer but decided to stay put.

He said: ‘I could leave last season, I won the title and I had something with other teams but I wanted to stay here because I knew it was a difficult year.

‘I came here to build, to build something good for Leicester, for everybody. I keep going, I maintain my mind in this way. I forget the title and I want to achieve something good for the fans, chairman and the city.’

Even after Wednesday night’s defeat — in which Jamie Vardy scored a late away goal after Kasper Schmeichel had saved a penalty to keep Leicester in the tie — Ranieri vowed that his side were ready to ‘do battle’ in the second leg.

Ranieri said: ‘At the end if we are a little more calm on the counter attack we can do something more. With the match at home everything is open, we are ready to battle.’

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Source: Daily Mail

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The reigning Premier League champions only signed Slimani on transfer deadline day in August for a club-record £29 million and have no interest in selling him.

The Chinese Super League have already completed the signings of a number of star players, including Carlos Tevez and Oscar from Chelsea.

Chinese clubs have managed to lure these high-profile players through big paydays, and it wouldn’t have been any different for Slimani as Tianjin were allegedly ready to pay him Sh39.2mn (£300,000) per-week.

The Algerian striker has scored seven goals and notched up four assists in 18 appearances for Leicester in all competitions.

Since January 2 though, he has been representing his country at the Africa Cup of Nations, but he is expected to return to Leicester in the next few days after Algeria were eliminated in the group stage of the tournament.
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Source: Capitalfm

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Schlupp’s Leicester team-mate Daniel Amartey was included as was another English Premier League player, Andre ‘Dede’ Ayew of West Ham.

Aston Villa’s Jordan Ayew – Andre’s brother – was one of three English Championship players named, alongside Christian Atsu of Newcastle and Andy Diadom of Barnsley.

There was no place for Juventus midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah who was struggling to make the cut following a series of knee injuries.

The Black Stars will now go to the United Arab Emirates for a training camp from where Grant will reveal his final squad of 23 by the 4 January deadline.
The tournament kicks off in Gabon on 14 January.
Ghana will be based in Port-Gentil where they will face Mali, Egypt and Uganda in Group D.

The Black Stars’ first match will be against Uganda on 17 January.

Ghana Squad:

Goalkeepers: Razak Braimah (Cordoba, Spain), Adam Kwarasey (Rosenborg, Norway), Richard Ofori (Wa All Stars, Ghana)

Defenders: Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew, USA), Andy Yiadom(Barnsley, England), Baba Rahman (Schalke, Germany), Frank Acheampong (Anderlecht, Belgium), John Boye (Sivasspor,Turkey), Jonathan Mensah (Anzhi, Russia), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City, England), Edwin Gyimah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)

Midfielders: Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese, Italy), Afriyie Acquah (Torino, Italy), Mubarak Wakaso (Panathinaikos, Greece), Christian Atsu (Newcastle, England), Ebenezer Ofori (AIK Stockholm, Sweden), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Samuel Tetteh (Leifering, Austria), Joseph Larweh Attamah (Başakşehir, Turkey)

Forwards: Asamoah Gyan (Al Ahli, UAE) Jordan Ayew (Aston Villa, England), Abdul-Majeed Waris (Lorient, France), Andre Ayew (West Ham, England), Ebenezer Assifuah (Sion, Switzerland), Bernard Tekpetey (Schalke, Germany), Rahpael Dwamena (Austria Lustenau, Austria)
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By: BBC

The post Afcon 2017: Leicester’s Jeff Schlupp is left out of Ghana’s squad appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The 29-year-old striker, who scored 24 goals in a historic season for the Foxes, was named on a 30-man list of nominees for the prestigious award, which is currently held by Barcelona star Messi.

France Football, the sole organisers of the prize given to the best footballer in the world following a split from FIFA, revealed Vardy was in contention in a tweet published on Monday evening.

The Sheffield-born player is the only Englishman nominated, while Real Madrid’s Bale represents Wales after his heroics at Euro 2016.

Vardy is not the only Leicester player whose achievements have been recognised, however. Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez – the PFA Players’ Player of the Year – is on the shortlist.

Manchester City and city rivals United will hope Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba threaten the top three when journalists begin the next round of voting, while West Ham’s free-kick specialist Dimitri Payet and Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris are also contenders.

Regular victors Messi and Ronaldo – the latter having endured a lean year by his usual prolific standards – will face stiff competition from the likes of Luis Suarez, Neymar and Robert Lewandowski.

Breakthrough stars Paulo Dybala, Antoine Griezmann and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will provide further cause for concern to the world game’s established top order.

Among the surprise omissions from the list are Manchester United keeper David De Gea, Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil and Juventus centre-back Leonardo Bonucci.

Ballon d’Or 2016 shortlist in full:

Sergio Aguero (Manchester City)

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund)

Gareth Bale (Real Madrid)

Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus)

Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)

Paulo Dybala (Juventus)

Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid)

Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)

Gonzalo Higuain (Juventus)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United)

Andres Iniesta (Barcelona)

Koke (Atletico Madrid)

Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)

Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich)

Luka Modric (Real Madrid)

Riyad Mahrez (Leicester)

Lionel Messi (Barcelona)

Hugo Lloris (Tottenham)

Dimitri Payet (West Ham)

Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich)

Pepe (Real Madrid)

Neymar (Barcelona)

Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon)

Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

Luis Suarez (Barcelona)

Jamie Vardy (Leicester)

Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich)
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Source: talksport

The post Leicester star Jamie Vardy only Englishman nominated for 2016 Ballon d’Or appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The home side were dominant throughout, with goals from Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and Victor Moses sealing a comfortable and well deserved 3-0 victory.

Leicester have now lost all four of their games on the road this season, conceding 13 goals in the process, as their title defence continues to falter.

For Chelsea, this was a performance that would have left manager Antonio Conte beaming.

Conte laughed off questions about his future on the eve of this match after a flurry of bets on the Italian becoming the next Premier League manage to lose his job.

And he saw his side deliver an outstanding performance from the first whistle to last.

Chelsea were ahead inside seven minutes and it was Costa who made the breakthrough.

Nemanja Matic flicked on an Eden Hazard corner and the Spaniard was left unmarked at the back post to convert his seventh Premier League goal of the season.

Chelsea almost got a second in sensational style midway through the first half as a long-range free-kick from David Luiz came crashing back off Kasper Schmeichel’s right-hand post.

Just three minutes later, however, and the lead was doubled. Hazard – looking a man reborn under Conte – was the scorer as he latched on to Pedro’s flick-on and coolly finished past Schmeichel to claim his third goal of the campaign.

Luiz tried his luck again from a free-kick but this time saw Schmeichel equal to his effort and Leicester would have been grateful not to concede another before the half-time whistle blew.

The Foxes briefly rallied after the break with a decent spell of possession and Luiz almost handed them a route back into the game when got a touch on Albrighton’s cross but, luckily for the Chelsea defender, the ball came crashing back off the post and away to safety.

But Chelsea soon wrestled back control and N’Golo Kante and Matic came close to adding to the scoreline before Moses wrapped up all three points two minutes from time.

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Source TalkSport

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