Gary Lineker has named the Leicester City star he’d love to see play in the Premier League.
In the summer, Leicester had to orchestrate a mini rebuild following relegation to the Championship.
Whilst the likes of Harvey Barnes and James Maddison departed for big-money moves, Italian tactician Enzo Maresca was thrown into the managerial hot seat.
He was given the funds to bolster his squad and did so by adding several quality stars, including goalkeeper Mads Hermensen, midfielder Harry Winks and winger Stephy Mavididi.
That trio, on top of the talent already at the club, has helped Leicester set a record-breaking pace at the top of the Championship.
The Foxes are currently 13 points clear of third place Leeds United and have collected more points (55) after 22 games than any other side in the competition history.
A return to the Premier League is looking nailed on, and one man has played a huge role in their blistering start.
Gary Lineker names Stephy Mavididi as the player he’d love to see in the Premier League
Since joining from Ligue 1 side Montpellier in the summer, Mavididi has set the Championship alight.
The Frenchman has been terrorising defences with his speed and trickery all season long while delivering a devastating end product to match.
In 22 Championship matches this term, he’s produced seven goals and four assists, including a brace last time out against Birmingham City.
It is clear that he’s a class above this level and Lineker has named the 25-year-old as someone he’d love to see in the Premier League.
Speaking on the Rest Is Football Podcast, Lineker said: “Steph Mavididi at Leicester has had a terrific season. He plays wide on the left and can beat a player. It’s interesting with those sort of players whether you see them adapt into the Premier League – that’s always a question mark”
Could Mavididi step up to the Premier League?
Barring a monumental collapse in the second half of the season, Lineker’s dream of seeing Mavididi dazzle defences in the top flight will come true and he certainly has the quality to step up to that level.
He possesses that raw pace and power that defenders at any level would struggle to cope with.
He also exhumes calmness in the final third. When a chance arises, especially on the counter-attack, most are expecting the ball to hit the back of the net.
Although he wouldn’t get as many chances to score in the Premier League, Mavididi has proven he doesn’t need many to wreak havoc in the opposing half and will no doubt be a crucial piece to Maresca’s puzzle in the top flight.