Manchester City don finally complete the signing of Jeremy Monga from Leicester City. The 17-year-old winger join City for around £10 million, as Leicester bin dey forced to sell players because dem don drop to League One.
Monga break into Leicester first team last season and make 27 appearances for the Foxes for Championship. He score once and provide two assists. But because Leicester bin dey struggle and eventually dem bin relegated, dem need to sell players to meet English Football League financial regulations.
Arsenal bin dey interested for Monga before. The north London club even make opening bid wey Leicester reject, according to sources wey tell ESPN for June. But City come in and seal the deal as their fourth signing for the summer, after French forward Mathys Detourbet, Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles, and England midfielder Elliot Anderson.
Elliot Anderson don become the most expensive British player ever at £116 million ($154m). All these new players join under new manager Enzo Maresca, who replace Pep Guardiola this summer.
Monga tell City website: “When I become aware that Manchester City were interested, I know instantly this be the right choice for me. For any young footballer, to become part of this amazing club na dream come true.”
Monga make his debut for Leicester at age 15 against Newcastle United. Since then, Europe elite clubs don dey watch am. Even when Leicester bin dey Premier League, Monga show say he no dey fear. He give Tino Livramento tough time for that debut match.
According to football analyst Josh Holland, wey talk to Manchester Evening News, Monga be “generational talent”. Holland say: “Leicester probably get the best of him or see the best of him when dem bin dey Premier League because dem bin dey so low under Ruud Van Nistelrooy. He bin dey train with first team for some weeks and then come into squad, get his debut at 15 and just look like player wey no dey fazed by wetin he dey face.”
But as Leicester struggle for Championship last season, Monga form suffer too. He score only once, against Preston North End. Gary Rowett arrival no help, as the experienced EFL manager opt against playing am during relegation scrap.
Holland add: “He never down tools. There plenty players wey do that towards end of last year and he obviously only 17. I no think any of the fans go be against am leaving and wetin probably round am off perfectly na his little farewell message to fans, as 17-year-old, wey I think be quite mature.”
Like Elliot Anderson, Monga price tag go dey follow am. But Holland believe the teenager don already show why he worth that money. “There bin dey real threat that when Arsenal dey get linked with am for June, before the professional contract come into place, that dem go lose am for next to nothing. That fear na because he be generational talent, and if Leicester go lose am for £1m, e go be disaster.”
Holland describe Monga style: “Monga strength na his willingness, desire and close to obsession to, once he get ball, drive either inward but towards goal, or just down wing and beat his man. But sometimes he beat man and he no go then drive ball with pace. He dey a bit laid back and that allow defender to come back. But because he so good, he fit do that. His decision making at times let am down for senior games.”
Monga go spend time with City first team immediately, joining dem for pre-season tour of Asia. Whether dem go loan am out or he stay with Blues, we no know yet. Holland see no benefit to send Monga to EDS next season. He say: “I think, if Monga no go play much for first team, putting am for EDS no go be right thing to do. I think he more than good enough to go to Championship club and start.”
Holland add: “I think he fit do job for Man City squad anyway as someone wey come off bench. The problem na, if dem dey play Real Madrid for Champions League and someone like Phil Foden or Omar Marmoosh or whoever start out wide, you really go turn to 17 year old to do something? I no sure.”
