Why Leicester academy graduate’s £12m Ipswich move has yet to pay off | OneFootball

Kasey McAteer returns to the King Power this weekend seeking his first Ipswich Town goal, having last scored there in Leicester City’s 2-0 win over Ipswich in May.

“I think it’s tough when you come into a new club and a new environment for the first time, it can be tough,” he told the East Anglian Daily Times.

With Leicester back in the Championship he seemed set for a bigger role, before a late-window £12m switch to Portman Road. Four months and 12 appearances in, he is still waiting to score.

Ipswich supporters have not yet warmed to the winger, the second-most expensive of their 11 summer recruits, with offsides and final-third decisions drawing criticism.

Manager Kieran McKenna has praised his defensive work, notably in last month’s win over Hull City when Ryan Giles, one of the league’s top creators, was kept quiet.

He has been an unused substitute in Ipswich’s past two matches and may again start on the bench at the King Power.

At £12m, and classed as pure profit, the deal was perhaps too good for Leicester to refuse after his 14 years at the club. “So I don’t regret my decision to come here at all.”

A first Ipswich goal would aid his settling. At Leicester there will be hope he does well, but also that his wait lasts one more game.

Source: LeicesterMercury.co.uk