Same old, same old: Claude Puel's Leicester City and déjà vu

The winless streak at the King’s Power Stadium continued as another disappointing home display left Leicester City empty-handed against Newcastle United 2-1.

Dreams of a Europa League campaign are fading quickly. Leicester are at a crossroads. With all of this in mind, there is still hope, albeit a sliver of one, that the Foxes can salvage this season.

Keeping possession

The game against Newcastle was another case of an offensive déjà vu. A club from the second half of the table club once again outplayed Leicester City, even though the bulk of ball possession was held by the Foxes. This lack of clinical finishing with the majority of ball control began against Everton on January 31 and has continued since. Let’s have a look at the numbers since:

Opposing Team Leicester Possession Result

Everton 55.7% 2-1 (L)

Swansea 60.1% 1-1 (T)

Man City 29.5% 5-1 (L)

Stoke 66.2% 1-1 (T)

Bournemouth 55.4% 1-1 (T)

West Brom 56.2% 1-4 (W)

Brighton 53.6% 0-2 (W)

Newcastle 66.3% 1-2 (L)

With the exception of the Manchester City game, Leicester have shown a greater want for ball control. Puel’s tactics emphasise this, as the Foxes have increased their touches, passes, and total ball possession since he became manager.

It is a different tactic than the rope-a-dope and counter attack style that Leicester City have become accustomed to. For the first time, the Foxes are the ones controlling the game; however, this style of play has not yielded goals consistently.

City have scored only once per game in six out of the last eight games. Being in control of the game is a comforting thought. Nevertheless, if Leicester cannot capitalise upon this possession with multiple goals per match, then there is no point to continue a tactic that clearly is not working.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 07: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City scores his side’s first goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Newcastle United at The King Power Stadium on April 7, 2018 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /

Getting Vardy involved

The most consistent bright spot offensively is the play of striker Jamie Vardy. The England international has 16 goals in the Premier League, tied for fourth in the Premier League. Six of those goals have come in the past eight games.

Vardy’s quality as an elite striker is clear. Nonetheless, opposing defences have created a stranglehold effect on Vardy, causing the striker to have less time on the ball.

Creating more space for the 31-year old will lead to more goals for the Foxes. However, the supporting striker to Vardy has been inconsistent, both in quality and playing time. Puel has experimented and rotated with Kelechi Iheanacho, Fousseni Diabate, Demarai Gray, and Shinji Okazaki in that supporting role. All have shown moments of great quality.

There have also been times that they have all been completely insignificant and ineffective. Either way, to create a more effective offensive unit, whoever is playing that 10 role must be a dependable player and be able to show their quality every single game.

The midfield crisis continues

Leicester City’s midfield was already on the edge before the game against Newcastle. Now they are in a state of emergency. Vicente Iborra, a key player to any of Leicester’s quality performances over the past few months, is out for the rest of the season.

With Iborra and Matty James out injured, Andy King on loan, and Wilfred Ndidi suspended, it is up to Adrien Silva and Hamza Choudhury to control the Leicester midfield.

Claude Puel may play Okazaki or Gray to try and give the Foxes more offensive power in the midfield, like he has done in the past. Yet, the midfielders will likely be Silva and Choudhury in the upcoming match against Burnley.

Choudhury, who only had two previous appearances in the Premier League, played strong and proved why he is a key part of Leicester’s future. However, Silva and Choudhury, who have little playing time together, will be manning the midfield during Leicester’s most important game of the season.

The best of the rest championship: Leicester City Vs Burnley

As of today, Leicester City are six points behind Burnley for seventh place. At 49 points, the Clarets have had the most surprising season in the Premier League. Relegation favourites at the beginning of the campaign, Sean Dyche has created a Burnley side that has defied expectations, albeit in a dull way.

Burnley have scored 31 goals in 32 games. Simply put, they are not an offensive team, but their defence is impressive, giving up only 28 goals. Only Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur have conceded fewer goals. In the same number of games, Leicester City have scored 48 goals but have shipped in 45.

True, the Foxes are offensively a better team. In fact, the entire roster is more impressive than that of Burnley’s. However, talent on paper may not lead to results, as the Foxes well know. Burnley may have less individual talent, but their team play has them positioned for a Europa League spot, something Leicester can now only pray for.

Adapt or die

To keep the dream of Europe alive, the Foxes must win next Saturday at Turf Moor. Statistically and on paper, all things point to this as the eventual outcome; however, the recent Leicester City game plan has become a case of déjà vu.

The Foxes will get upwards of 60% of possession and be in control of the game. Jamie Vardy will get a second-half goal. The Foxes will outshoot, outpass, and outcross Burnley. Knowing this, the probable outcome will either be a 1-1 tie or a 2-1 loss.

Next: Leicester City 1-2 Newcastle United: The major takeaways

Leicester City are in dire straits as of now. It is time to worry. They have all the quality to be a very good team with a very good manager. Now it is time to show it, and it all starts with a win at Burnley.

Same old, same old: Leicester City and déjà vu

By Brenden Woldman | Apr 9, 2018