Patson Daka
Patson Daka rejected other clubs to join Leicester City, the £23m striker revealed after his first outing in blue on Saturday. Daka, City’s big summer arrival from RB Salzburg, played the first 45 minutes against Burton Albion as Brendan Rodgers’ side began pre-season with a goalless draw and penalty shoot-out defeat, the Brewers winning the Bass Charity Vase 3-1 on spot-kicks. Leading the line by himself, Daka did not see much of the ball, and City will have to learn how to get the most out of the 22-year-old, who bagged 34 goals last season. That tally prompted interest from more than just City, and Liverpool were among the teams listed as suitors, but Daka said there was no doubt in his mind as to the best destination to continue his career.
Patson Daka said: “I believe it’s the right decision I have made,” he said. “From the moment I have been with the group, it feels like I’ve been here a long time. All the people are great. I really like it. It’s an exciting challenge for me and I look forward to the season and especially the game we are having in pre-season. The question should be: ‘Why not Leicester City?’ It’s a special club, and there were some other options that I had, but I made the decision and all the focus I had was on Leicester City because I knew this was the right place for me. I enjoyed (the Burton game) very much. It was the first game for me in a Leicester City shirt. It is really important for me to get some minutes.”
It could be a battle for minutes for Daka this season with City possessing two more excellent strikers in the form of Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho. The Zambian international won’t let that phase him.
Patson Daka said: “Every player needs and wants competition and I will always compete to be the best player I can be. Every team I could have gone to was going to have great players and competition for places. I know I have to fight for a place and do well for the team. It will be a big challenge for me in the Premier League but I believe I am ready for the challenge. It won’t be easy but I have had the full support of my teammates who have helped me settle in and be the best I can be. Wherever the manager puts me I’ll happily play there because it shows he trusts me in that position. All my hopes are to give my best for the team and help the team win games.”
