Is Leicester City’s new Argentine worth £8m?

Article by e-Leicester City's Ross Eade

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The Premier League new boys Leicester City have been working hard over the summer to strengthen their Championship winning squad. Most notably, they have signed Argentinian front man Leonardo Ulloa for a club record. So we take a look at his career and ask the question, is he worth it?

Leonardo Ulloa started his career at the age of 16 in 2002, playing for Comision de Actividades Infantiles Comodoro Rivadavia in the Argentine second division where he made just 7 appearances over two years, scoring one goal.

In 2005, Ulloa moved to the Argentina top division, signing for San Lorenzo de Almagro. He made 32 appearances for the club, scoring just 3 goals in 2 years. In his final season there he was part of the squad that won the Clausura 2007.

During 2007 and 2008 Ulloa had brief spells with both Arsenal de Sarandi and Olimpo de Bahia Blanca, where he made a handful of appearance for each club, scoring a few goals.

Later in 2008, Ulloa moved to Spain, playing for Spanish second division outfit CD Castellon. Here he began to find some sort of form. Scoring 16 goals in his debut season for the club, Ulloa finished his first season as the clubs top scorer. Despite Ulloa continuing his decent form, Castellon were relegated the following season.

Spanish La Liga side Almeria signed Ulloa following Castellon’s relegation. During a three season stint with the club, Ulloa continued similar form from his previous season, scoring 39 goals in 90 appearances, including netting against Real Madrid in a 1-1 draw in 2011. Ulloa was Almeria’s top scorer in the 2011/12 season.

In January 2013, Ulloa made his move to English football, signing for Brighton & Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee, thought to be around £2m. Ulloa enjoyed decent form again while at Brighton, scoring 23 goals in 50 appearances. Most notably, Ulloa scored the goals that secured Brighton’s playoff places for both the 2012/13 and 2013/14 Championship play offs. At the close of the 13/14 season, Ulloa scored a brace against already promoted Leicester City in a 4-1 thrashing at the King Power stadium.

During the summer, after months of speculation and a number of bids being turned down by Brighton, Nigel Pearson finally had a bid for Ulloa accepted for a club record £8m. Over the past few years, it seems Ulloa’s form has seemed good, but never great, although he does seem to be the man for the big occasion. But is he worth £8m? The chase and eventual transfer of Leonardo Ulloa was met with a mixed reception form the blue army. Many thinking the £8m was far too much. Our first impressions is that £8m perhaps is a bit of a hefty fee for a player who never seemed that outstanding. That being said, Nigel Pearson proved he was keen to sign him by going back with multiple bids for the Argentine. For Pearson to show such a will to sign him, for us, is a positive as Pearson’s signing for the most part have been good.

Leonardo Ulloa will certainly be playing with the pressure that any high priced transfer comes with. But he will be given his chance to prove his worth. At this point, despite his hefty price tag, we think that Leonardo Ulloa should be given time to win over the fans. He is now part of Leicester City and I’m sure will be welcomed with open arms by the Leicester City faithful.

What do think about Leonardo Ulloa and his high transfer fee? Let us know on twitter @e_leicestercity

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