Daka, a Zambia international, has played 32 times for his country and was named the 2017 Confederation of Africa Young Player of the Year. "The whole of Africa were excited and proud, I was happy to see how they performed - the level that they showed was really amazing, " Daka told the When You're Smiling podcast.
"It showed that football in Africa is going to the next level. I am really happy and excited for the future. "We are moving in the right direction for African football in terms of what we are doing. It is a big inspiration for the whole of Africa, if Morocco can do it anyone can. "Listen to the When You're Smiling podcast hereImage source, Getty ImagesFormer Leicester City winger Matt Piper believes there is "a lot more to come" from Patson Daka. Daka, 24, has three Premier League goals in 14 appearances this season, just two fewer than he managed in the whole of the previous campaign.
Leicester City - BBC SportFor the first set of festive fixtures, from 26 to 28 December, Chris Sutton is up againstВ singer and West Ham fan Chesney Hawkes. Sutton's prediction:В 1-2Both of these sides were in great form before the World Cup - Leicester had climbed the table thanks to four wins in five league games, while Newcastle flew up to third with five league wins in a row. The Foxes won this fixture 4-0 in December last year, but Newcastle are a completely different team now. It will be close, but I'm backing them to find a way of winning this one too. Chesney's prediction:В 2-2Image source, Getty ImagesWe've jumbled up eight Leicester kits from the Premier League era.
"The 32-year-old striker, now a part-time footballer with seventh-tier Leicestershire side Coalville Town, discovered he was playing for the first team while still at school. "Everyone was buzzing, " he recalled. "I found out at school at lunchtime and the word got around that I was in the squad. "So quite a few ended up coming to the game which was nice and when I got back they were just buzzing, to see somebody they see everyday [playing] for a team they love and support. "After the game I remember (former team-mate) Jason Wilcox bellowing out from the other side of the room, вЂHey Ash, you may be able to get some new pencil cases now'. "Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds"From playing against Toni Kroos to playing for Coalville Town, it's one interesting story.
"When asked about the attacking midfielder's lack of World Cup minutes for England, he added: "You would like to see your players get an opportunity. I had a long debrief with him. He is grateful for the opportunity. He’s come away with great experience and an even greater motivation. He did a brilliant job leading into the finals to get into the squad. Hopefully he can use the experience of being in the camp to be in even more competitions.
“We just need to get him up to speed really, " Davies said. “He came back a little bit later than the other guys that played tonight from the World Cup. "But he is training this week and I would expect him to be available for Boxing Day. "Image source, Getty ImagesLeicester's Patson Daka says Morocco's run to the semi-final of the World Cup showed African football is "going to the next level". Morocco beat Belgium, Spain and Portugal on their way to the last four in Qatar, becoming the first African side in history to do so.
Can you put them in the right order? Take our quiz hereAfter winning just three of their first 17 Premier League meetings with Newcastle (D5 L9), Leicester have now won nine of their last 13 against the Magpies (L4). Newcastle have lost their last six league games played on Boxing Day, since beating Stoke 5-1 in 2013. Leicester's Harvey Barnes has scored six Premier League goals this season (including four in his last five games), only netting more in 2020-21 (nine). He's scored in all five of Leicester's Premier League wins this season, one of just two players to score in every one of his side's wins this term (along with Leeds' Rodrigo). Miguel Almiron has been involved in eight goals in his last eight Premier League games for Newcastle, with the Paraguay international scoring seven and assisting Joe Willock's winner against Chelsea before the break.
Newcastle top the form table after five successive league wins while the Foxes have four wins from their last five, albeit the games were six weeks ago, before the break for the World Cup. After both won in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, Brown told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast he is really excited about watching Brendan Rodgers and Eddie Howe lock horns on Monday. "It's a fascinating game, " he said. "Both sides are going extremely strongly. "In the cup, they wanted to set momentum and get good results and it has set them up really nicely for Boxing Day. "Newcastle had a trickier fixture (beating Bournemouth 1-0 while Leicester had a comfortable 3-0 victory at MK Dons) but the momentum continues. "Listen to full analysis from 11'30 on BBC SoundsImage source, ReutersAssistant manager Chris Davies hailed “a really good evening” for Leicester City as they cruised into the last eight of the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 win at League One strugglers MK Dons.
Chambers became the club's youngest ever player when he featured in the League Cup in September 2005 against Blackpool, aged 15 years, six months and 22 days. "I don’t know if I was ready for it; I was just a naive little kid playing and enjoying my football, ” he told the When You’re Smiling podcast. "I was never thinking about playing for the first team. You always dream about it, but never at that moment. "When I got called up to the squad I wasn’t scared, I was just surprised. As I have gotten older and more emotions and memories are coming back from it,  I can now digest it.
"On January signings, he said there are a "couple of areas" they would to like to improve in and that "work is going on behind the scenes". He added there is likely to be more financial backing than in the summer. On the contract offer for Youri Tielemans, Rodgers stressed that the midfielder "loves being here" and is a "joy to work with", but because it is a big contract he expects him to take his time making a decision. When asked about the challenge posed by third-placed Newcastle, Rodgers replied: "They’ve made a great start. A very good side. Good physicality, good quality. Eddie [Howe] has done a fantastic job. On the field, they’ve signed players who have really improved the squad and team.
Leicester City v Newcastle United | Premier League | BT Sport
Hopefully, I can take them over the next few weeks and show that I can play like I’ve shown over the past few seasons. "It’s my opportunity to consolidate that left-back spot I suppose. I’ve been lucky to get as many chances as I have and hopefully I can continue to take them. "That’s what you want to do, you want to be playing in the Premier League. It’s the best league in the world and hopefully I can perform and show the qualities I’ve got. "Listen to the latest When You're Smiling podcast on BBC SoundsThe latest episode of the When You're Smiling podcast is available for you to download now. As Leicester City prepare to return to Premier League action on Boxing Day, BBC Radio Leicester analyst Dominic Wells takes a look at the Lars Knudsen (set-piece coach) effect by examining every corner from the Foxes' season so far. Have a listen on BBC Sounds hereFormer Leicester forward Ashley Chambers says it is only now he is able to digest the experience of playing for the Foxes first team at only 15.
LeicesterВ City manager Brendan Rodgers expects the club to resist any January offers for 26-year-old England midfielder James Maddison. В (Mail), externalWant more transfer stories? Read Saturday's full gossip columnBrendon Rodgers has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's match against Newcastle United. Here are the key lines from the Leicester City boss:Both Ryan Bertrand and James Justin are continuing their recovery from injury and remain unavailable.
"That's how the latest episode of When You're Smiling is billed. The Leicester City podcast spends time with Ashley Chambers this week as he charts his journey from being the Foxes' youngest ever player and through the years and clubs that followed. You can get it hereImage source, Getty ImagesThe standout Premier League fixture on 26 December will be at King Power Stadium as Leicester host Newcastle, according to former Leeds and Spurs midfielder Michael Brown.
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Youri Tielemans, Ayoze Perez and Jamie Vardy were on target as the Foxes restarted their season in eye-catching fashion. “It was a really good evening for us, really positive, ” said Davies. “Having been a few weeks away now from competitive games, it was really good to get back with a good performance and a win. "The cohesion was really good as we had the majority of the squad with us in our training camp. "We were hoping this could be a perfect game for us leading into the Premier League restarting and it turned out to be that. "Playmaker James Maddison was missing from the squad after returning from England’s World Cup campaign but Davies anticipates he will play against Newcastle in the Premier League on Boxing Day.
"Follow Friday's Premier League manager news conferences hereImage source, Getty ImagesLuke Thomas is hoping to use Leicester City's injury list to his own advantage and cement his place in the starting line-up. Thomas is one of only two fit Foxes full-backs and wants to use upcoming games to prove himself to manager Brendan Rodgers. He told BBC Radio Leicester's When You're Smiling podcast: "With us only having two full-backs, I’m going to get chances.
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