Leicester City: Claudio Ranieri selection headaches ahead of Copenhagen

Claudio Ranieri and his defending English champions are on the brink of a masterful opening to their first ever appearance in the UEFA Champions League.

Leicester City can clinch knockout stage action with two games to spare if they taste victory in Denmark on Tuesday.

However, manager Claudio Ranieri has several decisions that he will have to make ahead of the all important fourth tie of their Group Stage campaign.

According to the Twitter account of James Sharpe from the Leicester Mercury, Islam Slimani is not going to be fit for action after having been a handful for the now hosts in their first clash a fortnight ago and Ahmed Musa is fit despite his knock at the weekend.

The lack of Slimani and availability of Musa has created two of the three headaches that the boss now faces, so lets take a look at them in detail.

#1 Picking a partner for Jamie Vardy

No Slimani means Vardy needs a partner and recent form indicates that Ranieri has two options.

The first being Shinji Okazaki as the Japanese striker’s form has been building over recent weeks and he is due a start having rested over the weekend.

The other being Ahmed Musa. Although the Nigerian has proven quite the upstart when moved to the wing with two goals in as many games, he has not yet shown his worth as an out and out strike partner in a two forward attack.

That being said Okazaki is my pick to most likely partner with Vardy if in fact Slimani is well and truly out.

#2 Marc Albrighton or Ahmed Musa on the left

Marc Albrighton has not been at his best for much of the domestic campaign, but his form in Europe has been exemplary since he opened the Foxes European goals account four minutes into their fist match against Club Brugge.

Ahmed Musa has been sensation on the left hand side of the attack since being moved their against Crystal Palace and then subsequently against Tottenham over the weekend. His pace and ability to be in the right place at the right time have him almost nailed on for an opportunity to start in Europe.

Despite his form, I suspect Albrighton will be selected first and Musa is almost certain to be a substitute.

#3 Andy King or Daniel Amartey

Lastly the midfield partner of Danny Drinkwater has been as tough of a choice as that of who will partner with Vardy upfront.

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Daniel Amartey was brought to Leicester from Copenhagen and his experience with the Danish club and fans has his knocking on the door to regain his place in the midfield.

Andy King however has been at the top of his game since returning to the first team in the past few weeks and his excellent showing against Tottenham at the weekend has his believed the first choice for a start.

Closing

It is certain to be a good problem for Ranieri to start to be having selection headaches over form and not injury in most cases.

The Foxes are starting to look like they are getting some of their chemistry back and it is exciting to see them so close to such a great early season achievement if the form of progressing in Europe.

Let us know in the comments below whom you think should be chosen out of the three possible headaches.