Nigeria star Ahmed Musa’s name is on the lips of many after his impressive showing in the World Cup in Russia. The Leicester City striker reminded us all of his undoubted talent after failing to show his best form in the Premier League with the Foxes.
Musa scored Nigeria’s first goal of the tournament in Russia with the opening strike in their group game against Iceland, before also adding another goal to his tally. Eventually his Nigeria side sadly crashed out of the competition after defeat to Lionel Messi’s Argentina which raised many questions about the current Nigerian set up.
Despite the Super Eagles’ failure to make it out of the group stages and the subsequent inquest back home following this, Musa was one of their major pluses from the tournament and one of only a handful of players who can say they stepped up to the mark and delivered for Nigeria.
Musa’s Leicester career hasn’t exactly matched his Nigeria one to date, though. The incredibly fast striker joined the then Premier League champions for £16million from CSKA Moscow in 2016. The Moscow giants took him on-loan last season after his first season with the Foxes turned out to be a fairly forgettable one. He scored seven goals in 16 appearances and impressed along the way, earning him the call-up to Nigeria’s World Cup squad as a result.
His failed time at Leicester City could potentially be down to a change of manager, with Premier League title winning boss Claudio Ranieri’s replacements in Craig Shakespeare, Michael Appleton and Claude Puel seemingly not keen on Musa.
Rumours of attitude issues and a general failure to settle in England have been speculated also but in a league where pace can go a long way, Musa’s disappointing stint in England’s top flight has come as somewhat of a surprise.
It can’t have been easy joining a title-winning side who shocked the world and entering a dressing room that potentially might not have wanted any form of change following their remarkable campaign but whatever the issue, the fact remains – Musa hasn’t delivered in a Leicester shirt.
There has been speculation suggesting that Musa could be given one last chance at Leicester after turning it on in Russia. A member of his team reportedly said: ”Musa won’t be leaving Leicester City immediately. They have backtracked on plans to sell him. He has been told to resume for pre season, the club want to have a chat with him over his future. For now they have shelved the decision to sell him.”
Leicester City are currently priced at 14/1 (bet365) for relegation from the Premier League, which is fantastic value. You can also enjoy a bet365 free bet, with odds of them finishing in the top 6 at 7/1 representing excellent value.
Much like Musa’s future and as their Premier League title win proved, Leicester are unpredictable. A top half finish with Musa still on their books is currently priced at 5/6, but they’re a club that really could go either way.
Should touted moves to the likes of Turkish giants Galatasaray fail to materialise and Ahmed Musa be given one last chance to succeed in England, Leicester could find themselves in an even stronger position than when they signed him in 2016. When he first joined the club, Musa arguably wasn’t in this sort of form, that’s for sure.
Musa has a point to prove in the Premier League and after an impressive showing in the World Cup, Leicester boss Claude Puel could offer the Nigerian star the lifeline he is after.
