Patson Daka has been challenged by manager Brendan Rodgers to make the most of his privileged position as Jamie Vardy’s understudy and improve his game next season. The Zambian striker netted 11 goals in his first campaign at the club, following a £23m switch from RB Salzburg, but just one in his last 15 outings of the season. He described his maiden campaign at the King Power Stadium as “not really the best like I expected, but a season I can build on.”
Brendan Rodgers said: “He’s had a great position, when he hasn’t played, to be watching someone of Jamie’s quality, because that’s the type of striker he is. He’s one who will threaten the back-line. This year has been a great learning for Patson, he’s come in and done really well in some games. He’s scored goals at the level. He’s also had the chance to see the level of the Premier League, which is a big step from where he was before. I just think with Patson, he’s only going to get better and better. It’s been an adaption for him this season. Jamie is a top, top striker when he’s fit and at his best, as we saw over the last few games. There’s not too many around still like him, he’s one of very few who attack the last line. You’ve seen from his goals, his speed is still there. For Patson, learning from a top striker by watching him, getting better in training, getting used to the tempo of the Premier League and the speed of training, and adapting to that, that’s only going to help him. He’ll go away and have a good summer, refresh and come back, and nothing’s new to him then. He’ll come back and continue to fight for his place.”
Daka is currently on international duty with Zambia as they play in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. He scored an injury-time consolation in their 3-1 defeat to Ivory Coast at the weekend, and is in action again on Tuesday against Comoros.
