‘I noticed’: What Van Nistelrooy said when asked why he substituted £21m Leicester City star vs Fulham
‘I noticed’: What Van Nistelrooy said when asked why he substituted £21m Leicester City star vs Fulham
Ruud van Nistelrooy has now answered the reason why he substituted Leicester City attacking midfielder Bilal El Khannouss against Fulham.
El Khannouss started for the ninth consecutive Premier League game as Leicester City were beaten 2-0 by Fulham, the same scoreline as the clash against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.
It was another performance that lacked much attacking thrust, with El Khannouss looking the most likely to deliver a moment of quality in the second half.
The 20-year-old was a rare bright spark and has become a popular player at the King Power Stadium since joining for £21m in the summer.
However, his game time was cut short in the 64th as the Moroccan international was replaced by Kasey McAteer, leading to boos from the fans when Van Nistelrooy substituted El Khannouss.
Why Ruud van Nistelrooy substituted Bilal El Khannouss vs Fulham
Since the dust has settled on another disappointing display, the 48-year-old has explained why he withdrew the Moroccon on the hour mark after noticing the boos.
Speaking post-match, as per Leicestershire Live, Van Nistelrooy said: “That one I noticed (boos for El Khannouss sub). It’s okay.
“You have to accept it and I am. I’m making substitutions to impact the game. It can be in different areas, physical, profile of a player, the opposition. When it’s not received well for once now then I’ll take that one.”
Although Leicester were chasing the game and perhaps should have kept El Khannouss on the pitch, Van Nistelrooy also admitted that other players in his squad deserve chances, labelling them as ‘valuable’.
Van Nistelrooy continued: “Because the crowd boo one substitution of me, it doesn’t mean I have to explain all the reasons behind the substitution. It’s not for the public to know.
“It’s respect to the players who come on. They are valuable members of the squad and deserve minutes to help this team as well. It’s not about one person in this team and in this squad. That for me is very clear.”
Leicester at risk of losing El Khannouss if they get relegated
At just 20-years-old, El Khannouss is developing into a special player and Leicester will be at huge risk of losing him if they suffer relegation.
The 2004-born talent is exciting to watch, combining effortless ball control with skilfulness in attack, standing out as their best signing of the summer transfer window by far.
As highlighted by FBref, El Khannouss ranks in the top 7% of Premier League midfielders for progressive passes per 90 and the top 9% for passes attempted, along with the top 10% for tackles.
He’s one of Leicester’s most valuable assets alongside Mads Hermansen, who has been linked with Man United and Abdul Fatawu.
Indeed, should the Foxes suffer relegation, Hermansen, Fatawu and El Khannouss could all be on their way out.
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