UEL: Expert pinpoints ex-Chelsea star, Napoli's record buy as the players Leicester have to watch out for

Published: September 07, 2021

European football expert Chris Parrott has been contacted by the official website of Leicester City to assess their UEFA Europa League opponents.

The Foxes, who have in the ranks Nigerian trio Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman, are competing in the Europa League for the second consecutive season and will do battle with Spartak Moscow, Napoli and Legia Warsaw in Group C.

Parrott has identified 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner Victor Moses as the Spartak Moscow player Leicester City must keep an eye on given his Premier League experience with Chelsea, Liverpool, West Ham United, Wigan Athletic and Stoke City.

In terms of minutes-per-goal ratio, the Europa League is Moses' favorite competition, averaging a goal every 216 minutes, and the Nigerian was one of the key players for Chelsea when they won the competition in 2013.

On Spartak Moscow, Parrott stated : "They have a Portuguese manager in charge in Rui Vitória. They have Victor Moses, who has Premier League experience, too.

"They are, squad-wise and finance-wise, a little behind Zenit Saint Petersburg, who are in the Champions League this year."

Parrott namechecked Victor Osimhen among the key players in the Napoli side coached by former Roma, Zenit Saint Petersburg and Inter Milan manager Luciano Spalletti.

The Super Eagles striker became Napoli's most expensive acquisition in history when he moved to the Blues from Lille last summer in exchange for €70million.

Of his eight appearances in European competitions to date, three were in last season's Europa League.

"They have the likes of Lorenzo Insigne, who was so important to Italy winning EURO 2020.

"They have Kalidou Koulibaly as well, they have young Victor Osimhen, who they paid a lot of money for from Lille 12 months ago...," Parrott added.

Leicester City begin their Europa League campaign against Napoli on September 16 and face Spartak Moscow on October 20.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : spartak.com

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com