Leicester City midfielder Boubakary Soumare ‘frustrated’ manager Brendan Rodgers during his maiden campaign with the club but deserves more time, according to journalist Josh Holland.

The 23-year-old only arrived at the King Power Stadium last July after completing a £17 million switch from LOSC Lille, signing a five-year contract running until 2026.

What is the latest news involving Soumare?

Soumare arrived on English shores with an enviable reputation after playing an important role in Lille’s shock Ligue 1 triumph during in 2020/21 as they dethroned Paris Saint-Germain.

The former France Under-21 international played 43 games in all competitions in his final season for Les Dogues, prompting Leicester to splash out a significant sum to secure his services.

However, Soumare has been unable to establish himself in the Foxes’ starting XI, featuring from the off on just 12 occasions in the Premier League.

And a recent report from LeicestershireLive has claimed that Rodgers is prepared to cut his losses with the engine room operator just one year after signing him after growing tired of his inability to adapt to his style of play.

What has Holland said about Soumare?

Holland believes the criticism of Soumare is ‘quite harsh’, though, and believes Leicester would come to ‘regret’ his sale if they do decide to offload him this summer.

He told GiveMeSport: “I think Soumare is quite harsh. I don't personally think he should be let go this summer. I think if they sell him, it will be one of them they will regret in a few years’ time.

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“But I know that Rodgers has got frustrated by his lack of adaptation to the Premier League; they bought him, and he's not doing what they want him to do. It's only been a year, so give him more time.”

Where has it gone wrong for Soumare?

Soumare’s last appearance of 2021/22 came against Tottenham Hotspur in April when he was hauled off on the 67-minute mark in a 3-1 defeat leading to Rodgers openly criticising him.

“We need more from him. This year has been tough for him, and he will admit that himself,” said the Northern Irish tactician.

"You see in moments when he makes those bursts and goes forward, he looks a good player, but it’s that other side of the game, it’s that pressing side, that aggressive side, that is maybe unnatural to him that you need to have when you play in the Premier League.”

It’s believed that Rodgers had hoped to turn the defensive-minded Soumare into a box-to-box midfielder, using use his strength and athleticism to regain possession before surging forwards.

Yet there are said to be ‘particular concerns’ over his lack of tracking back and the speed at which he moves the ball, meaning Soumare may have already played his last game for Leicester.