Leicester City are eyeing Tottenham Hotspur talent Malachi Hardy as a potential loan target.
Leicester City are in dire need of new signings having brought in just two players to date. Now, a fresh report from the Daily Mail states that LCFC have eyes on Spurs starlet Malachi Hardy.
The 18-year-old is yet to make his competitive debut in senior football but has been a mainstay at U18 and U21 level for Spurs. Hardy could now be primed for a maiden first-team loan after being involved in Roberto De Zerbi‘s squad over pre-season.
The Foxes are exploring a potential temporary deal for Hardy. He would bolster their options at centre-back and has also been deployed as a full-back on occasion.
Hardy is among the Spurs starlets to have impressed De Zerbi over pre-season. Although he is only in the formative years of his career, he has caught the eye with his composure in defence, boasting the importance balance of ability in possession and out of it.
Standing at 191cm tall, he is certainly of the frame to deal with senior football. Now the time has come for him to be exposed to the physicality of the first-team game to prime him for a breakthrough.
Malachi Hardy’s Spurs academy stats
He primarily plays in a back four but his physical attributes could make him well suited to a role in the middle of a back three too. Hardy’s action at youth level with Spurs and England has given him a strong footballing education.
A Leicester City loan marks a step up. However, after his pre-season involvement with Spurs, that appears to be exactly what he needs.
The Verdict: Leicester City loan could be perfect for Hardy’s Spurs trajectory
Sending Hardy on loan to Leicester City might feel like he’s being thrown in at the deep end a bit. The pressure is on at the King Power as they look to return to their previous heights as early as possible.
However, being thrust into a challenging loan off the bat might make for the perfect audition for a role at De Zerbi’s Spurs. The Italian is highly demanding, and most importantly, he needs his centre-backs to be comfortable on the ball.
Hardy will certainly grow this aspect of his game at LCFC. Martin’s possession-based style of play means short goal kicks and plenty of the ball for the centre-backs, so the Spurs youngster would come under pressure from attackers and be asked to try and split the press when possible.