Nathan Dyer’s half time introduction against Aston Villa on Monday proved to be a dream debut by the English winger for his new club, giving Leicester City fans a glimpse of what he is capable of producing for the remainder of the season.
Trailing at half time, the Foxes were being outplayed by their Midlands counterparts. The introduction of Dyer for Shinji Okazaki not only saw Dyer make a significant impact in his own right, but also allowed the ever-dangerous Riyad Mahrez to drift further infield to devastating effect.
After trailing by two goals for 72 minutes of the contest, the Foxes came storming home, culminating in a 89th minute winner by Dyer, bravely heading the ball beyond the oncoming Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan to give Leicester all three points.
Dyer, such was the knock he received in the process, did not know he had scored until the treating physiotherapist had told him, declaring: “It was a nice feeling but I was just dazed.”
It is an act that will instantly endear him to the Leicester faithful – a brave, last-ditch winner on debut in a comeback over a local rival.
Dyer is a player that will suit the Foxes immensely. He is extremely quick, likes to be direct and has also proven a ‘never say die’ attitude which has helped the Foxes both stay in the Premier League last season and to start the current campaign so well.
According to data from TRACAB and as reported by Sky Sports, the Foxes have the three fastest players in the Premier League in Jamie Vardy, Jeffrey Schlupp and Marc Albrighton, while captain Wes Morgan has clocked the eighth fastest speed so far. These statistics, however, should come as little surprise to any who have watched Leicester this season. Dyer fits the mould perfectly.
Manager Claudio Ranieri is acutely aware of Dyer’s skill-set, and has encouraged his new charger to utilise them, in line with the current ethos of the team.
“He said just to play my own game,” Dyer said when explaining Ranieri’s instructions.
“He’s seen me play before and he just wanted me to express myself and just get on with my own game. He likes to play with wingers, I was pleased with that and he has just let me play my game.
“He wants me to get involved with the goals and take my man on. With the pace that we’ve got and the attacking threat that we’ve got, we can cause teams problems.”
He provides depth in numbers in wide areas, while also providing Ranieri with options should they need to change the momentum of a game, such as they did against Villa.
The 27 year-old joined the Foxes on a season-long loan on deadline day, after falling down the pecking order at Swansea. He may consider himself unlucky considering both Jefferson Montero and Andre Ayew have started so well this season.
In his only start for the Swans this season, Dyer showed that he still has plenty to offer, scoring within two minutes against York in the Capital One Cup. It was around this time last year that Dyer had scored three goals in as many matches in the League, with many touting him as a possibility for an England call-up.
Although Ranieri has not been known previously for free-flowing, open football, he has a squad which has been allowed to be expressive – flourishing on the back of some breathtaking counter attacking football. With this in mind, Dyer looks as though he could be one of the shrewdest pieces of business of the most recent transfer window. He is a player who fits the mould of a team with a clear identity and one that is currently brimming with confidence.
It remains to be seen whether or not Dyer will start in many games, considering the current system Leicester like to play (and the players he is in direct competition with for places). Even as a substitute, however, expect him to cause all kinds of trouble whenever he is unleashed on opposition fullbacks.
In Dyer, Leicester have a player with all the makings of a cult hero.
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