Daniel Amartey’s impressive performance against Swansea on Saturday drew comparisons with N’Golo Kante but Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri was quick to play them down.
Amartey started for the injured Nampalys Mendy, in the only change made by Ranieri following the goalless draw with Arsenal, and the Ghanaian was energetic, providing a solid barrier in front of the Foxes defence.
He was composed on the ball and generally kept things simple. Not afraid to make a tackle, it was the former Copenhagen player’s challenge deep inside his own half which led to the opening goal.
It was reminiscent of Kante’s displays, leading to his £30million summer move to Chelsea.
Ranieri said: ‘I don’t want to speak of Kante. There is only one – there isn’t another in the world. He has gone and now we need to move on.
‘But Amartey played very, very well. He now knows very well the Premier League. He can play centre back, central midfielder, rightback, right winger and I am very pleased with him. He played very well, was solid, strong and recovered a lot of balls.’
Asked about what he thought was Amartey’s best position, Ranieri said: ‘Central midfield.’
Another summer signing – Ahmed Musa, bought from CSKA Moscow – came on as a substitute after 75 minutes on Saturday but, unlike Amartey, Ranieri feels the striker is still finding his feet in the Premier League.
‘It is important that Musa understands how we play. The Russian league is very different from English football, they play a slower tempo. The English league is very fast,’ said Ranieri.
‘He must increase his fitness and understanding. He can play together with (Jamie) Vardy.’
Swansea manager Francesco Guidolin hopes to complete a deal to sign Barnsley centre half Alfie Mawson before the transfer window closes on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old is close to a switch to the Liberty Stadium and after the 2-1 defeat at Leicester Guidolin said: ‘We are working to sign a player – a central defender. This is all I know at the moment because the chairman is working for this situation.
‘I’m optimistic [for signings] but I have always said that I’m happy with this group.’
Source MailOnline