Socceroos cult hero Harry Souttar is in line for a stunning position change for Leicester City as two fellow EPL clubs announce they will head Down Under for exhibition games in July.
The in-form Souttar will prove to be a surprising weapon for the Foxes as they try to avoid relegation from the EPL.
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed that he has been experimenting with the Socceroos’ big central defender as an attacker in training to give the struggling Foxes an alternative strategy in their urgent pursuit of goals.
Souttar has yet to find the score since moving to the top flight in January from Stoke, save for an unfortunate own goal on his debut against Aston Villa, but his aerial prowess has ensured he came very close on several occasions. .
Rodgers wants to see him hit the mark as he does for the Socceroos, having scored six goals in 14 caps for Australia, and believes Souttar has the footballing chops to transform himself from a no-nonsense goalkeeper into a skilled attacker.
Socceroos cult hero Harry Souttar may be in line for a surprising position change at his EPL club, Leicester
Souttar stretches to make a tackle on Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo on March 18, a match in which manager Brendan Rodgers praised him for his starring role.
‘We could play him up front. We’ve had him there in training,” said Rodgers, who is looking to lift Leicester from their precarious position of 17th, just one point above the relegation zone.
“He is a fantastic footballer, outstanding with the ball. He makes the right passes.
Rodgers is very pleased with his $26 million centre-back, who put on another terrific display in the team’s 1-1 draw with Brentford before traveling to Australia for the Socceroos’ friendlies against Ecuador.
“First of all, he’s a defender, but he can play football,” he said of the 198cm Australian.
‘When you come to Brentford and play like him, it was a great performance.
“Any central midfielder needs to be strong and competitive and then I like that they can play simple football, and he has done that.” He has been a great signing for us.
Leicester’s big goal may not be far away for the 24-year-old, who was born and raised in Scotland before switching his international allegiance to Australia thanks to his mother.
The 198cm Souttar heads a ball during an excellent display for Leicester in a 1-1 draw with Brentford on March 18
Souttar heads the ball up defense during the Socceroos’ incredible victory over Denmark in last year’s World Cup
Souttar headed against the bar in Southampton, when, in reality, it seemed easier to score.
He also had one cleared off the line against Chelsea, as well as setting up a goal against Spurs.
Then on Saturday, he enjoyed what Rodgers described as “a little Ricky Villa moment.”
Like Spurs’ Argentine Villa, who had a madcap run before scoring one of the most celebrated goals of any FA Cup final in 1981, Souttar had his own defining moment, but without the requisite finish.
Souttar himself believes he should feature on the scoreboard more often, having scored twice in his first and second games for the Socceroos.
The news comes as Tottenham and West Ham announced they would be heading to Perth to play exhibition games at Optus Stadium in Perth just before the Women’s World Cup kicks off in July.
West Ham take on A-League club Perth Glory on Saturday 15 July, before the Hammers take on fierce London rivals Spurs on Tuesday 18 July.
It’s the only chance for Australian fans to see EPL teams in action this winter, but the prospect of seeing superstars like Harry Kane, Richarlison and Son Heung-min for the Spurs and Declan Rice for the Hammers is a fascinating prospect.
Western Australia’s sports and recreation minister said the two exhibition games and five Women’s World Cup games were not just a huge financial hit, but a huge one to the state of the game in the west.
“Hosting such prestigious football events is great for the grassroots game – kids will be inspired and motivated to try the game themselves,” he told the Western Australia.
“I am very happy that Western Australia is supporting these matches in addition to the FIFA Women’s World Cup and I look forward to seeing them play with thousands of fans.”