Caglar Soyuncu will prove to be a decisive factor in Leicester's survival hopes this season. Photo: Manjit Narotra/ProSports/Shutterstock
Caglar Soyuncu is set to leave Leicester City this summer but will now play a key role in the club's mission to survive in the Premier League.
Frozen by Brendan Rodgers, the Turkish defender committed an outstanding return to the first team, and the decision to bring him back into the frame already seems like a masterstroke by Dean Smith replacing Rodgers.
Soyunju has always stood out in Leicester with a huge lion tattoo on his head. back and an imposing physical presence, with a striking resemblance to Shrek villain Lord Farquaad.
Rogers sidelined him, he only started once in the league this season and often didn't even make it to the bench until the manager's sacking at the beginning of this month. at a high level during training.
His difficult season means his departure as a free agent this summer seems imminent and it's understandable that he could sign a tentative deal with Atlético Madrid.
Soyunju appears determined to leave at a high level with a man of the match against Wolverhampton on Saturday.
The 26-year-old striker delivered the tough, combative game that Leicester sorely lacked in their drive to avoid relegation.
'He just loves football and wants to play'
Was Smith surprised that he barely played? «Yes, a little. I don't know what happened before I got here, all I can do is talk about the fact that I came here and saw a player who is committed to the football club. . trains very well, and I think his performances also showed that.
"Last Thursday I sat with him before the Manchester City game and asked him how he felt and wanted to know if he felt that he was in a good place.He just loves football and wants to play.»
Soyunju's potential to be an important player in the final match was quickly discovered by John Terry, Smith's assistant coach.
The former Chelsea and England captain has been working closely with Leicester defenders since his arrival two weeks ago.
Smith said: several meetings with them, as well as several coaching sessions.
«They learn a lot of little details from JT, that's for sure.
Leicester's victory over Wolverhampton took them out of the bottom three on goal difference ahead of another big fixture against Leeds on Tuesday.
Smith's team will be boosted by the return of winger Harvey Barnes, who missed the last two matches of -for a hamstring injury and England international James Maddison is expected to be available after being ill.
Saturday's win was Leicester's first. starting in February and breaking an alarming streak of nine defeats in 10 matches.
In the meantime, the Wolves are still unsafe and hope influential midfielder Mario Lemina recovers quickly from his hamstring problem.
>Lemina was sent off at half-time on Saturday and the Wolves lost control as a result over the match. They are six points clear of the relegation zone.
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Eight years ago, Leicester managed to escape under the leadership of Nigel Pearson, a result that made Dean Smith optimistic that another rescue mission was ahead.
All the terrible statistics that were thrown in their direction, was erased after the first victory since February, which took the club out of the relegation zone on goal difference. Leicester are still in trouble and no doubt there are many more twists and turns to come, but Timothée Castagne's winning goal could prove to be the turning point of this tough season.
With their best player, James Maddison, out due to illness, the home side had to put on a fight game that had been sorely lacking this season. Players who have exited under Brendan Rodgers, including Caglar Soyuncu and Boubakary Sumare, have been buoyed by Wolves being reminded that their relegation fears are not yet over.
Smith there were many other positives ahead of a potentially important trip to Leeds on Tuesday evening.
«Players haven't won a game in a long time, so this will be a huge relief for them,» Smith said. “People doubted our spirit and character because of where we are in the league, but today it showed. We're out of the bottom three, but we haven't done anything yet. For now, it has helped us to break through, but the most important thing is that we were eliminated on the last day of the season.”
It's all about the momentum at this late stage and when Leicester survived in 2015 they won seven of their last nine matches. The mental boost this can give Smith's players after such an unfortunate streak can be significant.
Dean Smith celebrates Timothée Castagne's goal . Photo: Getty Images/Plumb Images
Despite this win, there are still challenges to be overcome. Leicester are the only team in Europe's top five leagues not to have kept a clean sheet since the World Cup.
They fell behind in a catastrophic manner when the occasional Youri Tielemans was dispossessed by Mario Lemina and Matheus Cunha grabbed the ball and shot for a corner.
Leicester could buckle under the pressure due to the mounting tension in the stands, but were rewarded comeback when Wolves goaltender José Sa clumsily knocked down Jamie Vardy in the box ten minutes before halftime. Kelechi Iheanacho converted the penalty and the anxiety subsided.
Leicester were transformed and the decisive breakthrough came with 14 minutes left in time. Soumare released Viktor Christiansen down the left flank, while the Dane's low cross found Castagne, who scored in the end.
The Wolves are only six points ahead of the bottom three, but head coach Julen Lopetegui doesn't see this as a positive.
“This is the worst message we can send to players. This is a very dangerous message because I know what football is and what the Premier League is,» he said.
“Until you have achieved one goal, you have not done anything yet. We're very clear about that message to the players, they know.»
Leicester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers 2022-23 squads
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