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Leicester City Vs Stoke City: Puel happy to have selection headache

By Harneet Singh Sethi

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Wes Morgan of Leicester City in action during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Manchester United at The King Power Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 23: Wes Morgan of Leicester City in action during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Manchester United at The King Power Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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Claude Puel is happy with his selection headache ahead of Stoke City’s visit to the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

The Leicester City boss may have done himself a favour by getting rid of Islam Slimani, Ahmed Musa and Leonardo Ulloa, but he still has a number of options at other positions, one of which is that of Harry Maguire’s partner in central defence.

The Frenchman had initially been trusting the club captain Wes Morgan like his predecessors; however, an injury to the 2015/16 title winner meant that Aleksandar Dragovic got his chance to have a long run in the side, something that turned out better than anyone would have expected after the Austrian’s horrendous debut against Watford.

Now that the Bayer Leverkusen loanee is settled into the side and doing really well, Morgan is fit again, having featured in the 1-0 FA Cup win over Sheffield United last week. Consequently, Claude Puel faces a major question: Wes Morgan, the ever reliable club captain, or Aleksandar Dragovic, the new-found, in-form sensation? Whoever the starter among the two, the gaffer is happy with this sweet headache that the competition for places is causing.

"“Morgan is available to play this game, but after we will see,” said Claude Puel.“We have a lot of games to come, but it is good to see our captain back at a good level.“I was happy with Dragovic and Benalouane. We have a squad with good competition between players.“All this competition pushes the players to fight for their place and it is a good thing."

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Leicester City were expected to sign a defender or two back in January, when Wes Morgan, Robert Huth and Danny Simpson were all injured at one point of time, but Dragovic’s emergence convinced Puel to not go into the transfer market. The former OGC Nice boss also stressed on the importance of having a balance in the squad so as to give everyone an equal chance for a better future.

"“In the transfer window it wasn’t possible to give more strength to the team with other players,” said Puel.“We only brought in Fousseni Diabate, but it was important to give a good balance to the squad and give players some game time.“I think we now have two players for every position. That is important.“With Dragovic, for example, we can see the different qualities and the different options he gives us. He has improved the squad and that is good for the rest of the season."

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"“I am happy with his performances. He is a strong defender who wins his duels and it is good to have the options I have with Morgan, Yohan Benalouane and Maguire.“Dragovic needed to wait for game time but some injuries and rotation it gave him the opportunities.“It is important for me to develop all the players of the squad because it is the future of the club.”"

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