Leicester City dropped points for the second time this week as Swansea City came back from behind to rescue a point. Here’s what we learned from the 1-1 draw at the King Power Stadium:
Fousseni Diabate a part of Claude Puel’s immediate plans
When Leicester City signed Fousseni Diabate, we didn’t think he’d be featuring for the Foxes in the Premier League as soon as he has. However, Riyad Mahrez’s absence has changed the scenario – and maybe for good.
The young Malaian was handed his first league start for Leicester City in a move that more or less made it Puel’s plans more apparent: Diabate is not here to disappear into the second team before making a rare appearance.
While the Mahrez saga has contributed to the new arrival’s involvement with the first team, it’s fair to say that the former Gazelec Ajaccio man deserves it, as he proved with another encouraging display at the King Power Stadium.
Kelechi Iheanacho has (finally) won Claude Puel over
There was a time when Kelechi Iheanacho stood right near the exit door at Leicester City, and having been there for quite a while, Claude Puel dragged him back on to the sacred turf to revive what seemed like a sinking career.
The Frenchman surprisingly started the Nigerian alongside Jamie Vardy, a sight that we didn’t think we’d ever see – but boy did it work well. The 21-year old executed a fabulous piece of skill to set Vardy up for the opener, possibly sending the message that the Vardy-Iheanacho combination can work for Leicester City.
Time to hype Adrien Silva up
Adrien Silva is some player, isn’t he? We haven’t seen too much of him in the Premier League yet, but judging by his recent displays and the show that he put up today, the Portuguese is a gem of a midfielder who’d soon form an integral part of the side.
Claude Puel must now manage to find space for him in the team – and regularly too – as his partnership with Wilfred Ndidi is what appears to be the best of a number of options that Leicester City have in more ways than one.
Next: Riyad Mahrez’s situation is a shambles – but who is to blame?
We have often lamented the lack of either creativity or defensive cover from the Leicester midfield, but with Silva and Ndidi today, the Foxes found both, especially from the former. Exciting times ahead.