Caleb Okoli

[Marshall Cockney Fox]

1 minute ago, UniFox21 said:

Never looked comfortable on the ball at any point throughout the game. Physically strong and a great presence, but terrifying passing around the back

He looks very average to me. His use of the ball is night and day compared yo his senior partner Vester. Faes I think is a better baller. But we all know Wouts weaknesses 

[sdb]

Him and Vestergaard (who was immense tonight) are a decent pairing. Giving very little away. I do think Faes is a better player and Nelson has great potential, but perhaps Okoli has that balance of longevity here and a little more youthful experience 

Edited 29 August 2025 by sdb

[Freeman's Wharfer]

He can’t pass. Doing an excellent job of ensuring Faes will be back in the XI very soon if he doesn’t leave.

[Aleksz]

If he was as good on the ball as he is everything else he wouldn’t be playing for Leicester City. 

[baldeagle]

Yes his passing is poor but  other parts of his game makes up for it . I’m sure one of the reasons he’s being picked is his speed that helps to cover Vesty’s slowness 

[Dr The Singh]

We have no other option

[oundlefox]

Not convinced at all. He’s the weak link in that defence for me

[BenTheFox]

Without the ball he did OK. Decent clearances and recovery runs but my god, an absolute bombscare with the ball at his feet.  

[adam]

I find it disappointing that we play him when we have Nelson sat in the stands. Okoli is crap, a complete clogger. Much rather watch Nelson make a few mistakes rather than this bloke

 

[CornwallFox]

Our centre backs were our best players tonight. Vesty was great TBF. Okoli did okay but they look a formidable pairing at this level.

[James_lcfc]

He’s a pretty decent defender but my god does he terrify me with the ball at his feet.

 

If we are going to play out from the back we’d be better off with Faes or Nelson alongside the big man to be honest.

[leicesterlad1989]

He's a proper throwback. He's a defender who can defend. He can head and clear everything, all day long. At this level, that will huge asset. 

 

On the ball though... 

 

It was clear that Birmingham would allow him possession. They'd stop the out ball to Vestagaard. Hopefully that's an area he can improve on. 

[SafewayFox]

Okoli is clearly getting the nod next to Vesty due to his athleticism.

 

Jannik was great last night but as Sky said numerous times, that was helped with the ball always being played in front of him.

 

This morning is about enjoying the 3 points and Jannik was a MOTM contender but there is an obvious blueprint to play against him and Okoli.

[Ted Maul]

I like him. Quite surprised at how negative the perception of him is on this thread- the lad can defend.

 

Looks like he gives a shit too, which is almost enough in itself at the moment. 

[Lesta Legend]

50 minutes ago, Ted Maul said:

I like him. Quite surprised at how negative the perception of him is on this thread- the lad can defend.

 

Looks like he gives a shit too, which is almost enough in itself at the moment. 

I would rather play those that cared. Who gives a shite if Faes is better he doesn’t care either just about himself. As long as we’re winning I’m not going to find the nuances in Okoli game after we’ve just won, why be negative 🤣

 

He’s a player that couldn’t get into a team that defensively was an embarrassment last year the players some on here would rather start get them out the club. Give the other players who are young and need game time to improve their game they won’t otherwise. And as long as we’re not losing most games it’s how I expect Marti to approach it too. 
 

Even looking at it logically the best passing defender alongside the strongest fastest offers a good balance to the slow turgid shite we served up last year. 
 

I think he gets better but also becomes an asset we move on. Quite happy for Faes to continue to sit on the bench. 

[Raj]

Made some proper Benny Hill howlers yesterday and a half decent team would have pounced.

The bit in the 2nd half when he ended up on his arse was non league esque.

 

Still rather him than sideshow bob

Edited 30 August 2025 by Raj
Shit spelling autotwat

[Pliskin]

He’s a pure athlete, and brilliant at defending, but **** me, the lad couldn’t pass someone on the stairs let alone a football. 
 

If Faes doesn’t leave, he has to come back in for me. I like Okoli, but that passing ability, or lack thereof will come back to bite us later in the season. 

[Claudio Fannieri]

People are focussing on the fact he isn’t great on the ball and yes it definitely needs improving but his main job is to defend and I would argue of our current crop that he does this the best, he is relatively quick, great physical presence and really aggressive, he is a brilliant partner for Vestergaard and would be great for Nelson but I think at present it would be just a bit too inexperienced as a partnership and I don’t think we can afford to play Vesty and Nelson together as we would be a bit of soft touch IMO. 
 

He also seems to care, I like him, yeah he has a mistake in him when on the ball but last two games he has been superb with his defensive work. 

[K789]

Like him alot. For a 6ft 4 lad and a unit he can.shift. pure defender. Not too.worried at this level about his passing ability

[AKCJ]

1 hour ago, SafewayFox said:

Okoli is clearly getting the nod next to Vesty due to his athleticism.

 

Jannik was great last night but as Sky said numerous times, that was helped with the ball always being played in front of him.

 

This morning is about enjoying the 3 points and Jannik was a MOTM contender but there is an obvious blueprint to play against him and Okoli.

The long term back 4 IMO will be Ricardo, Okoli, Nelson and Thomas. Do wish we could get a left back thats genuinely good on the ball and going forward but I cant' see it.

[Richard]

He's the one who gets it. He sprints the length of the pitch and thumps the badge when we score. He gets the kop the going. He's straight to the fans before and after a game to applaud them. He celebrates a tackle like he's just scored the winner. 

 

Yes he's a crap passer and a bit of a liability with the ball but last night was the first time in a long, long time that I saw a Leicester team with fight and energy that I could get behind and he's a big part of bringing that 

[Fox on the Rox]

2 hours ago, AKCJ said:

The long term back 4 IMO will be Ricardo, Okoli, Nelson and Thomas. Do wish we could get a left back thats genuinely good on the ball and going forward but I cant' see it.

But how do we get there if Nelson can't get a game?

[lcfc81]

2 clean sheets in a row and a partnership forming.

Defensive partnerships take time, but he has the attributes needed. 

Also has a great attitude and this cannot be understated in my opinion. 

A really enjoyed them all giving everything last night and a happy that he is given some time to cement his place. 

[AKCJ]

20 minutes ago, Fox on the Rox said:

But how do we get there if Nelson can't get a game?

I just think Marti will prefer to play a higher line and you simply cannot do that with Vestergaard.

[TJB-fox]

I’ve never seen a centre back kick the ball into touch so many times!

 

But defensively good. Seems to care about the cause also. 
 

b2b clean sheets too.

Edited 30 August 2025 by TJB-fox