Experienced Swiss international Gökhan İnler has explained that Leicester City chairman’s ambitious vision for the club was the decisive factor in his decision to join, passing up interest from German side Schalke and Turkish giants Beşiktaş in the process.
The 31-year-old midfielder completed a reported £5 million move to the King Power Stadium and made his debut in a 1-1 draw against Tottenham at the weekend, slotting into a Leicester side that has made an impressive start to the Premier League season with two wins and a draw from their opening three games.
İnler drew a comparison with his previous club to explain his thinking, recalling that Napoli were once considered an unlikely destination before ambition and investment transformed them into a major force in Italian football.
“I remember when nobody wanted to go to Napoli,” İnler said. “Our chairman wants to build a very good team and that’s why I’m here.”
The move reflects a growing belief at Leicester that the club can establish itself as a genuine force in English football’s top flight. Since April 2015, City have accumulated more Premier League points than any other side, underlining the momentum behind the project İnler has bought into.
The vastly experienced midfielder brings considerable international pedigree to Leicester, having earned 84 caps for Switzerland and featured in two FIFA World Cups. Last season he made 33 appearances for Napoli across all competitions, contributing one goal.
