Patson Daka’s relationship with his club coach, Enzo Maresca, appeared to be improving before the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) started, after being shelved from the Leicester City squad for the bulk of 2023.

Daka had only played one match in 19 league games at Leicester City before December 9, 2023, making the bench 10 times and missing the squad eight times.

Maresca stated that he preferred Jamie Vardy and Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho to lead Leicester’s frontline over Daka, stating that the Zambian needed to work hard to earn a place in his squad.

However, as Iheanacho and Vardy were out in December due to illness and injury, respectively, Maresca resorted to Daka, who went on to score two back-to-back goals against Plymouth and Millwall, as well as a brace against Rotherham, in six straight championship starts.

Daka played his last game for Leicester City against Cardiff before joining the Chipolopolo camp for the AFCON. He missed three of the Foxes games: a 4-1 win over Huddersfield, a 3-1 loss to Coventry, and a 1-1 draw with Ipswich.

Daka assisted in Zambia’s 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and scored against Tanzania in Group F before Chipolopolo lost 1-0 to Morocco to crash out of the tournament.

Following Zambia’s exit from the AFCON in the group stage, Maresca said he watched some of Daka’s games at the tournament and hopes he continues with the form he left with.

“I watched some moments of his games and he did very well,” Maresca said, as quoted by the Athletic. “I spoke with Patson yesterday (Thursday) and told him to continue in the way he was doing here (before the tournament). I’m sorry for him (that Zambia are out) but pleased for us because we can get him back earlier. Hopefully, he can continue (his form) with us.”

‘I have spoken to Avram’- Enzo Maresca

The Italian trainer also revealed that he spoke with Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant about Daka.

“I have spoken to Avram a few times in the last two to three weeks but I said the same, his situation here was quite clear. We have Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho, so he struggled (to get a game). But when we give him the chance, he took it and hopefully he can continue to help us in the next two to three months.”

Daka has remained the subject of transfer speculation since his move to Bournemouth fell through on deadline day last summer.

With the transfer window still open, it is unclear whether the Zambian wants to leave the club, despite his recent form for the Championship leaders, who are on the verge of returning to the Premier League.