Scout Reports

Scout Report – Vicente Iborra

Leicester City made their second major transfer move of the summer with the signing of Sevilla midfielder Vicente Iborra for a reported fee of £12million.

The 29-year-old put pen to paper on a four-year deal, with head coach Craig Shakespeare revealing his joy at being able to add a player with such vast experience to his squad:

“With Vicente, he is one the recruitment department have had earmarked for a while, rated him very highly. Then to meet him and see him out in training, his pedigree is there for all to see. We spoke about what he brings, he was captain of Sevilla, the leadership qualities, but what came across when I spoke to him was his aims, and hopes. He wants to be a team player, he wants to be part of a team. He is not an individual. They are values I rate very highly as a manager.”

The History

Iborra came through the ranks at Spanish side Levante and made his first-team debut in a Copa del Rey clash against Getafe in January 2008. His La Liga bow, against Real Madrid, came four days later.

He remained with the club despite their relegation that year and was a key member of the side that helped earn promotion back to La Liga in 2009/10.

The midfielder established himself as a regular starter during the 2011/12 campaign, and two strong seasons with Levante helped convince Sevilla to sign Iborra in August 2013.

His four-year spell in Seville was a huge success.

He picked up three consecutive UEFA Europa League winners medals and three top-five finishes in La Liga, and was also named club captain.

Iborra produced 30 goals and 13 assists in 172 matches in all competitions, but last season found his first-team opportunities limited, managing just 12 league starts, which paved the way for the move to Leicester.

The Prospects

Having featured for Sevilla as a defensive, central and attacking midfielder, along with a few appearances in central defence, Iborra will certainly offer Shakespeare plenty of versatility.

Standing six foot three inches tall, Iborra is perhaps not the archetypal Spanish midfielder and, when used in a central support role behind a striker, has even drawn comparisons with Manchester United’s Marouane Fellaini.

Iborra is very strong in the air – he won 64% of his aerial duels last season – and will provide a different kind of threat for the Foxes.

He also possesses good predatory instincts, having scored exactly seven goals in each of his last three league campaigns despite predominantly operating in a deeper midfield role.

While he can appear slightly ungraceful, Iborra is technically sound, with his adaptability illustrating his football intelligence. His physicality, meanwhile, should be well suited to the Premier League.

Under Shakespeare, Leicester generally lined up in either a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-1-1 formation during the final months of last season.

Iborra offers an alternative to Danny Drinkwater or Wilfred Ndidi in central midfield and can also compete with Shinji Okazaki in the central support role. Islam Slimani and Leonardo Ulloa are also options to tuck in behind or play alongside Jamie Vardy, though the potential arrival of Kelechi Iheanacho from Man City will also bolster the Foxes’ options in the final third.

The Spaniard could also play in a deeper role if Shakespeare considers using a 4-1-4-1 system, either in tougher away matches or against the leading clubs, with the significant outlay made on Iborra suggesting he will command a regular starting berth.

While Vardy will be the leading attacking option from the Foxes, Iborra may offer a possible alternative in midfield, with the 29-year-old priced at 6.0 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) and 8.3 in Sky Sports.

With Riyad Mahrez’ future at the King Power Stadium in doubt, Iborra could come into contention alongside the likes of Demarai Gray, Marc Albrighton and possibly Ndidi as cheaper options.

Iborra impressively averaged a shot every 47.52 minutes last term, which was better than both Ndidi (49.10) and Albrighton (115.48), although slightly inferior to Gray (38.48).

The England U21 international did only register five attempts from inside the box, though, compared to 24 for the Spaniard.

But the former Sevilla player doesn’t look to boast much assist potential, only producing a key pass every 92.06 minutes. That was, unsurprisingly, less than wide men Albrighton (51.60) and Gray (61.12), although significantly better than Ndidi (253.67).

Then again, Iborra didn’t play in a central support role last season, so those numbers should be a lot more impressive in that position.

One negative factor surrounding Iborra’s prospects is his disciplinary record. He picked up 34 yellow and two red cards over the past four seasons, committing a foul every 37.77 minutes last term.

Leicester’s opening schedule (ars, BHA, mun, CHE, hud, LIV) perhaps mean Iborra is unlikely to come onto our radars, at least initially.

That tough start will hand Fantasy managers the ideal opportunity to see whether Iborra can cement a regular spot in the starting XI and, just as pertinently, what position he’ll be taking up.

Iborra’s goal scoring record means he is definitely one to track, and if he is kindly priced and plays in an advanced role, he could well be a factor in our seasons.

Further Reference

Vicente Iborra Wikipedia

Vicente Iborra Transfer Markt Page

Vicente Iborra You Tube Highlights

3,276 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Arn De Gothia
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    I might try a different approach this year?

    Why not load up on 3 ManU 3 Sou 3 wastbrom 3 Hudder + 3 guys you want longterm? Good fixtures and you might find a gem in one of them. When I see whos preforming a WC or swapp one by one?

    1. 6thGoal
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I've got no problem tripping up on United and doubling up on So'ton for the first 6 weeks

    2. NikCR7
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      I have 3 players from Arsenal, 3 from Southampton, 3 from West brom and 3 from Newcastle.. Hopefully that turns out good

  2. Braz14
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Best Chelsea midfield cover for half of the season (no Hazard) ?

    Fab vs. Pedro vs. Willian

    1. 6thGoal
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      First half? Thought it was along the line of 3 games. I'd go Willian

      1. FPL-Gutten
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        I think it is until mid September, so 4 or 5 gameweeks. Personally I think I am going for Willian. 7.0 is way cheaper than Pedro, and Fabregas might not be nailed on with Matic, Kante, and maybe Bakayoko to compete with.

  3. Braz14
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    *first half

  4. Jake.l_8
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Have 8.5 in the bank for a MID want suggestions on where I can make 1.0m in my team to have enough for Eriksen

    GK - Forster, Begovic
    DEF - Lindelof, Trippier, Cedric, Francis, Hunemeir
    MID - Alli, Sane, Richie, Loftus-Cheek
    FWD - Lukaku, Lacazette, Babbiadini

    1. 6thGoal
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Downgrade Trippier to a 4.5 and snatch Etiksen

      1. NikCR7
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Downgrade either begovic to Elliot, as Newcastle have great fixtures.. Or Lindelof To Dawson

  5. Swanmoretime
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    David Silva was playing really well at the end of last season. Decent price but is he too much of a rotation risk?

    1. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      One of the first names on the teamsheet I reckon.

    2. 6thGoal
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      A risk I wouldn't take stronger move would be KDB or Sane

  6. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Best pick ... ?

    a) pogba
    b) pedro
    c) willian
    d) zaha

    Tnks

    1. 6thGoal
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      With Hazard out either Chelsea option is good, for budget reasons I could see Zaha but I like the potential of Pogba that f United fills the DM position.

  7. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Disappointed with how Lacazette just performed, was playing the left wing role in Arsenal's 343 and he kept dropping deep looking for the ball

    1. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      Ignore form in these games, it's meaningless. Positionally that's interesting. Much depends on Alexis.

  8. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Best pick... ?

    a) trippier & pogba (have lindelof & lukaku)

    b) dawson & sane ( have foster)

    Tnks

    1. NikCR7
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      1

  9. Bruised Shins
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    RMT please - GW1

    Begovic

    Trippier Lindelof Cedric

    Alli Coutinho Sigurdsson Loftus-Cheek

    Deeney Lukaku Kane

    Elliot, Holgate, Hunemeier,

    1. Bruised Shins
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 8 months ago

      And Matic if he moves to Utd

      1. Bruised Shins
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 8 months ago

        Also thoughts on Salah replacing Coutinho in line up?

        1. FPL-Gutten
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          I wouldn

        2. FPL-Gutten
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 8 months ago

          I wouldn't go for Matic either way, too defensive. Also I would choose Coutinho over Salah from the start just because he is proven in the league and the team, while Salah might need some time to adjust.

          1. Bruised Shins
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 8 months ago

            Yeah that's why I went with Coutinho over Salah. Just have this feeling that Salah is going to be good though this season.

            As for Matic I like him for potential points return versus value over someone like Chalobah. I was looking at W.Hughes as the other option. Don't know yet if he'll be a starter for Watford.

            1. FPL-Gutten
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 8 months ago

              I understand what you mean, but I think that if you end up wanting Pogba in addition to Lukaku and Lindelöf, then it would be annoying and unproductive to have to swap out Matic before you can get Pogba in.

  10. jbenny1107
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    GTG for now? Do you think it's a must to have one offensive player from ars, che, man u, man c, pool, spurs?

    Foster Myhill
    Cedric Daniels Lind Tripp (Rangel)
    KDB Alli Cout Willian (Cheek)
    Lukaku Lacazette (Fletcher)

  11. jbenny1107
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Who will stand out for Chelsea with Hazard out and Costa possibly leaving?

  12. One Man
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 8 months ago

    Double up on Alli and Kane anyone ? I'm seriously tempted.

  13. One Man
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 4 months ago

    Which one to start this week.

    Monreal (Mun, H)
    Abraham (Stoke, A)
    Davies (Wat, A) ???