Leicester City are staring down the barrel of relegation this season.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side have lost eight out of their last nine Premier League games and reside in the relegation zone.
Add that to the fact they made just one signing in the winter window, and it’s looking really bleak for the Foxes.
Injuries have played a large factor in their demise of late, with Mads Hermansen, Wilfred Ndidi, Ricardo Pereira and Abdul Fatawu all sidelined.
That’s naturally going to have a massive impact on results, especially considering the fact Conor Coady believes one absentee is one of the best footballers he’s ever seen.
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Conor Coady says Ricardo Pereira is one of the best he’s seen
Speaking on the Still Ryan podcast, Conor Coady said Ricardo Pereira is one of the best technical footballers he’s seen.
“But now we had Ricardo Pereira playing last year and he’s a sensational footballer mate,” the Leicester centre-back explained.
“Honestly, one of the best footballers I’ve seen in terms of technical ability and all that. And he could do that. So we’ve now got full-backs who can play inside.”
Pereira, who joined Leicester for £22m in 2018, has been sidelined with a serious hamstring injury since November and he’s been sorely missed with James Justin in really poor form.
In fact, City had to go out and sign Woyo Coulibaly to provide Justin with competition at right-back.
Periera expected to return from injury soon
Pereira could make his long-awaited return from injury next month after van Nistelrooy issued a really positive injury update last week.
“Ricardo is recovering,” van Nistelrooy said ahead of the Everton clash.
“He’s still in his individual training. He’s on the grass with the physios so his rehab is going to plan.”
With Fatawu out for the season, perhaps Ricardo could be utilised as a right midfielder to provide more of a threat on the flank when he returns.
The former Portugal international has played in that role previously.