Brendan Heaps Praise on Daka Ahead of Napoli Clash

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has praised forward Patson Daka, as the Foxes gear up for their Europa League opener on Thursday against Napoli.

The Zambian international was brought to the King Power Stadium for a reported fee of £27m, after hitting 27 goals in 28 Austrian Bundesliga appearances for Red Bull Salzburg last season, but is yet to start a Premier League game, having only made one appearance off the bench as they were defeated 4-1 by West Ham United, but Rodgers has spoken highly of his new attacker.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Thursday’s home clash, the Northern Irish manager said: “He’s played European games so he understands the competition. As time goes with him, you’ll see him become a better player when he adapts to how we work. But he’s settled in very well.”

Daka, who arrived in the Midlands in the summer, made 26 appearances across the Europa League and Champions League for the Salzburg outfit, netting five goals and registering four assists.

The Foxes now head into their second consecutive Europa League campaign, having reached the round of 32 last season before being knocked out by Czech champions Slavia Prague.