Pace Vs possession: The Leicester City attack under Claude Puel

The loss against Burnley effectively ends any hope for a Europa League spot for Leicester City. With five games left and a gap of nine points between seventh and eighth, the Foxes must now look within to figure out what went wrong.

A familiar story

Leicester City have become a team playing by a frustrating script. A poor first-half leads to an excellent second. Jamie Vardy will score within the last 30 minutes and during that time, the Foxes will outshoot, outpass, and outpossess their opponents. Statistically, Leicester will dominate and yet they will end up with a tie or a defeat.

This odd run of form began with the 2-1 loss to Everton on January 31. With the exception of the Manchester City game, Claude Puel’s side have been statistically superior in most of their encounters.

However, the Foxes have only won two out of their last eight Premier League matches. These frustrating outcomes continued when Leicester played Burnley in what was the most important game of their Premier League season.

With dreams of Europe on the line, the Foxes entered Turf Moor Stadium with high expectations. They left with disappointment.

Again, the visitors found themselves in control – except for the first ten minutes. The Foxes played well enough to snatch a win, but the Chris Wood and Kevin Long goals during the sixth and ninth minutes were too much for them to overcome.

Nonetheless, the Foxes lead statistically in all major categories and still could not bring three points home:

Statistic Burnley Leicester City

Possession % 39.1 % 60.9 %

Shots (On Target) 9 (3) 15 (6)

Touches 463 623

Passes 290 440

Corners 4 8

The statistical domination has become a common sighting under Claude Puel. However, winning on paper does not mean the club is winning on the field.

The tactics of a revolutionary Frenchman

Claude Puel came to the East Midlands club and attempted to revolutionise the Leicester attacking philosophy. Instead of depending on the counter-attack that made the club famous, Puel implemented a more possession-based approach. Creating a calm, collected offence has become a staple of Puel’s vision of Leicester City.

To be in control of the ball is the next step for Leicester in their attempt to become a top club in England. However, Leicester’s goals still come primarily from breakaway, counter-attacks and depending on Vardy’s pace.

BURNLEY, ENGLAND – APRIL 14: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates after scoring his sides first goal with Fousseni Diabate of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Burnley and Leicester City at Turf Moor on April 14, 2018 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Nigel Roddis/Getty Images) /

The need for Vardy’s speed

The lone Leicester City goal against Burnley came from Kelechi Iheanacho breaking away and linking up with Jamie Vardy. The speedy English international struck Iheanacho’s pass in the 72nd minute for his 17th goal in the Premier League.

Vardy has now scored in eight of his past ten matches and much of those goals have come from the classic Leicester counter-attack style of play.

His goals against Newcastle United, Brighton and Hove Albion, Manchester City and Swansea City have largely been a result of his own pace and never-ending spirit, not Puel’s tactics of slowing the game down.

Even his Goal of the Month winning score for March against West Bromwich Albion came from an over-the-top Riyad Mahrez pass with Vardy running under it. It was a goal that was reminiscent of the Premier League winning season and showed how effective a speed driven attack can be.

Slowing down the Foxes

In Claude Puel’s attempt to create a more balanced attack, the Leicester City offence has become stagnant. Possession has increased over the past nine league matches – averaging 56% ball control during the game – however, during that time, the Foxes have averaged 1.44 goals and won only twice against relegation-threatened Brighton and West Brom.

Claude Puel’s primary problem

This has been the first legitimate rough patch of Claude Puel’s tenure at Leicester. Rumors of player frustration due to Puel’s changes of offence are becoming more and more prevalent. A team with as much quality as the Foxes have should be winning against lower table teams. However, Puel has calmed a once unstable Leicester City ship.

In 24 leagus games Claude Puel has won 33 points, averaging a respectable 1.38 points per game. His total winning percentage in 30 games in all competitions is 40%. The changes that Puel implemented created a sustainability to a club that was once 18th under Craig Shakespeare.

His tactics may have calmed the Foxes, but there is an expectation for Leicester to not just be sustainable, but great. This comes with Puel combining his want of possession while also keeping an attack based on speed and pace.

Looking for greatness from within

Control of the game is an important part of becoming a winning side. All signs toward Leicester’s future are pointing up. The Foxes enjoy a squad with quality veterans and exciting young players with a coach that has ambition to elevate this club. Nevertheless, Claude Puel cannot forget how Leicester has gotten this far.

Next: Claude Puel happy with Fousseni Diabate’s start at Leicester City

Creating an attack based on the counter-attack and pace is Leicester City-type football. Change is natural thing and a slower, possession oriented offence can be a good thing. No doubt, the Foxes are a club on a rise and the pieces for success are there. However, it is up to Puel to solve the puzzle.