It is a relationship that must be reunited, don’t you think Foxes? Patrick Roberts may have been at Celtic for six-months prior to Brendan Rodgers’ arrival, but from when the Northern Irishman came in, they seemed to have a fantastic working relationship – one that could also benefit Leicester City.
Before Rodgers’ arrival in the summer of 2016 in Glasgow, Roberts had already been there during the first six months of his 18-month loan spell with the Bhoys. It was Roberts’ first proper spell of consistent senior football under then then-manager Ronny Deila and despite it taking him until April to really get going, when he did, there was no stopping him.
Roberts finished the season with April’s Scottish Premiership Player of the Month as well as six goals and one assist in nine starts.
Following the campaign, he took his game to the next level this time under Rodgers’ tutelage. The Englishman’s wicked pace, low centre-of-gravity and balance meant it was near-on impossible for the opponents to get near him. He finished the season with 11 goals and 19 assists in 47 games across all competitions.
Roberts enjoyed his spell at Celtic so much so that he returned there for another season a year later. He started brightly but injuries meant he spent a large section of the campaign on the sidelines, managing just 12 starts all season.
The 22-year-old was struck with the same bad luck at Girona on loan this season. Just when he had worked his way into the side regularly and was beginning to perform brighter as a result of that, he suffered a hamstring injury that sidelined him for a couple of months and after that, he never got back to his best for the regelation sufferers.
Now though, the time seems right to move on from parent club Manchester City. It is evident that with all the proven-quality in the wide areas, game time is near-impossible and another move away, this time permanent, should be on the cards.
Leicester could do with some more depth in the wide roles to create that added level of competition and improve the side with not only quality but a player with the potential to further develop at the King Power.
According to the Sun, via the Leicester Mercury, Rodgers wants to link up with Roberts once again and given that they have the appeal and financial capabilities to pull the deal off, it would be a very wise move.
If the pair can reignite that partnership that they had at Celtic in Leicester, then the Foxes fans will be in for a treat next season given how well they have worked together in the past.
Would you be keen on a move for Roberts? If not, why not? Join the discussion by commenting below…
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