Etienne Camara from Huddersfield to Leicester City: Is it a good potential move? Would he start? What does he offer? | OneFootball

According to The Sun, the Foxes are leading the race for the 19-year-old, with fellow top flight sides Brighton & Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest also keen.

Camara recently had his contract extended at the John Smith’s Stadium after triggering a clause relating to appearances, which now prolongs his deal until the summer of 2024.

The Frenchman made his debut for the club in January 2021 and after a handful of largely substitute appearances early on this season, he has established himself as a regular in the side under new manager Mark Fotheringham.

He has started every game when available under the 39-year-old, until the last two games prior to the World Cup break when he was missing through injury. In what has been a dismal season so far which currently sees the Terriers sitting rock bottom of the Championship, four points from safety and with just five wins all campaign, Camara has been the bright spark to offer hope in their plight.

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His impressive performances in his defensive midfield role have alerted the attention of Premier League clubs and Brendan Rodgers’ side are thought to be in pole position to land his signature.

Would it be a good move?

It would be a good move to the King Power Stadium. After a slow start to the season, the Foxes really found their form prior to the World Cup break, winning four of their last five games to move away from the relegation zone. While Brighton equally do not seem to be in relegation danger, currently sitting seventh, Forest are in the bottom three, so perhaps avoiding a move to the City Ground would be the wisest option.

Moving to Leicester would also allow Camara to work with an excellent coach in Brendan Rodgers. The former Liverpool and Celtic boss is renowned for his tactical ability and has been incredibly influential in the development of the careers of young players such as Harvey Barnes and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who are now both top flight regulars.

Town will be reluctant to lose another of their key players after losing both Lewis O’Brien and Harry Toffolo to Nottingham Forest in the summer, but receiving such a significant income will be hard to resist. It would also be difficult for Camara to turn down an opportunity to play at the highest level, even at this early stage of his career.

Would he start?

He is unlikely to be an immediate starter for the club, but as Rodgers has shown with Dewsbury-Hall, he will work with a player and manage them carefully until they are ready to become a fixture in his side.

The Foxes do have competition for places in midfield, with the likes of Dewsbury-Hall, Youri Tielemans, Nampalys Mendy, Wilfred Ndidi and Boubakary Soumare. But Mendy has not started a game this season and there are doubts over Tielemans future, with Arsenal reportedly interested, so this could open up an opportunity for Camara.

Ndidi has also struggled with injuries this campaign, but it would be down to Camara to show Rodgers what he can do in order when given the chance and make the most of the pathway Rodgers provides for young players.

The argument against making the move is that Camara is starting every game under Fotheringham and regular Championship minutes are more beneficial for the development of his career than more restricted game time in the top flight.

Camara would bring a youthful energy to the heart of the Foxes midfield and at 6’3″ tall, will offer height and physical presence.

He has offered excellent defensive protection in a side which has tightened up significantly since Fotheringham’s arrival, contributing to four clean sheets under the Scotsman so far.

According to WhoScored, Camara has a 79% pass success rate, making 1.8 tackles and winning 1.9 aerial duels per game.

There are areas of his game he still needs to work on, he has received four yellow cards already this season, so discipline may be something he needs to develop.

He has not contributed with a goal or assist this season, but given his defensive role, his strengths seem to lie in other areas.

The Frenchman has adapted extremely well at Championship level and shown a level of maturity beyond his years and you would not bet against him making the step up should he continue at his current rate of progression.