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Danny Simpson: Leicester City ready to change under Claude Puel

By Jack Mceachen

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Oumar Niasse of Everton takes on Danny Simpson of Leiceter City during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Everton at The King Power Stadium on October 29, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 29: Oumar Niasse of Everton takes on Danny Simpson of Leiceter City during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Everton at The King Power Stadium on October 29, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /
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Danny Simpson insists Leicester City are ready to change under their new manager Claude Puel.

Simpson has claimed that Puel has arrived at the club with big changes, and he and the squad are on board.

Puel took over from Craig Shakespeare and has since recorded four points from two games, beating Everton 2-0 before going to Stoke City and coming away with a 2-2 draw.

Simpson has admitted that Puel wants to make changes and he is looking forward to seeing them. He said:

"“It is a new style of play and fresh ideas.“You have to listen to him. When he speaks you have to listen. He is an experienced manager who has managed some big teams.“He comes in with ideas and you have to take them on board as best you can. I have tried to do that and I feel going forward it will all click together.“Obviously he has come in with his ideas and they are fairly new. It is not going to happen overnight in terms of where he wants everyone to be, but when we are playing against a team like Stoke, who defend in numbers, he wants me to push forward and leave space in the hole for Riyad (Mahrez) or Demaraii (Gray).”"

Simpson is generally regarded as a defensive fullback, something of a rarity in modern football.

The 30-year-old is yet to score a goal for Leicester City, but it’s possible that he had to become that player under Shakespeare and Claudio Ranieri to accommodate Riyad Mahrez on the flank ahead of him.

However, Mahrez could be used as a ‘number 10’ under Puel, similarly to how the Frenchman used Hatem Ben Arfa during their season together at OGC Nice, which means more freedom for Simpson. He told:

"“He wants me to be an outlet and if I can get in behind and fire in some low crosses for the strikers, that is what I will try to do.“It is a different role, an exciting role. I am looking forward to it.“I feel like already, although I said it wouldn’t happen overnight, you can see everyone helping each other out and covering for each other.“I am used to covering for Riyad and not be allowed to go past him, but now he is encouraged to get forward and get him in the hole a bit more, and I can be an option on the outside and the central midfielders can cover.”"

Simpson knows that these changes will take time, but with the international break, he can work hard on becoming the fullback that the manager wants him to be.

"“That said, it is a work in progress. He has only had just over a week. In terms of training sessions we only have had five sessions to work on it,” he added.“It looked good at times against Stoke. I got in there and the defenders blocked the cross.”“It is new to me because for the past few years now I have been supporting Riyad but he wants me to get involved. I have the fitness to do it and I am looking forward to it.”"

The next opportunity for fans to see Simpson in a new role will be at home to league leaders Manchester City on Saturday, November 18. Pep Guardiola’s side are on a 15-game unbeaten run, winning every single game to set a new record for an English side.

As Claude Puel’s Leicester City take on the high-flying Blue Moon, they’d hope to repeat the 4-2 win from last season, as Jamie Vardy scored a stunning hat-trick to dispatch the Mancunians.

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