Gary Lineker has compared one of Leicester City’s young talents to Premier League star Bukayo Saka after his incredible performance this weekend.
Leicester made it back-to-back wins after coming from two goals down to beat Southampton 3-2.
Jordan Ayew’s 98th-minute winner was the difference for Steve Cooper’s side, who have now moved up to 13th in the Premier League table.
Going into the second half, the Foxes were 2-0 down but as proved by one incredible stat, their second-half performance played a huge role in the comeback win and one player was at the centre of it all.
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Abdul Fatawu compared to Bukayo Saka after heroic super-sub display
Abdul Fatawu has had to bide his time this season but his introduction as a second-half sub on the south coast was the turning point in the game.
Fatwau set up Facundo Buonanotte’s goal before going close twice in as many seconds before Jamie Vardy’s record-breaking penalty leveled the game.
His direct running and constant front-foot style of play made him a nightmare to deal with and when assessing his impact on the Rest is Football podcast, Lineker and co-host Alan Shearer made a huge claim about the 19-year-old.
The Leicester legend said: “I’ve watched him a lot. I watched him last season when he was actually on loan, I mean the kid’s really special.
“He’ll beat people, he’s quick, he’ll take people on, he’ll cut inside and bend one in the top corner, he’ll go down the outside and cross the ball. He’s a little like Saka in that way.
“I’m not going to say he’s as good as Saka – not yet – but he’s only 19. He’s got an incredible work ethic, got a lovely personality. He’s a real character and everyone at Leicester knows that.”
Gary Lineker’s frustrations echo what many Leicester City fans think
Fatawu’s impact is no coincidence.
Last season, the Ghana international was one of the stars of the Foxes’ promotion-winning campaign but has been restricted to minutes here and there from the bench.
Many supporters have been calling for Leicester boss Cooper to start Fatawu and Lineker is one of those who has been left perplexed by the winger’s bit-part role.
Recalling the Match of the Day presenter’s comments after finding out the 19-year-old wasn’t starting, Shearer told the podcast: “Just to prove a point when we’re talking here, in the afternoon when the teams were announced you were like: ‘Why’s he not playing Fatawu, he’s a great player. He’s one of our best players.’
“Then he came on and made a huge difference, you were like: ’I told you so. He should have been playing from the start. See how great he is’.”