Claude Puel’s admiration of Pep Guardiola leading Leicester City to a 4-3-3

Farewell to the ‘inverted’ wingers

One of Claudio Ranieri’s key tactical switches when he arrived at Leicester City was to play a left-footed wide man on the right (Riyad Mahrez) and a right-footed wide man on the left (Marc Albrighton). The theory was that they would drive inside towards goal to create chances for the front men as well as creating the opportunities to score themselves. This worked almost perfectly for the club in 2015/16.

You cannot doubt the work rate of Marc Albrighton, but signings made by the club suggested that they were unsure of his technical quality. Demarai Gray, Ahmed Musa and Bartosz Kaputska were all signed with a view to replace Albrighton, but none were up to the standard required at the time. The end of the ‘inverted’ wingers at Leicester City now appears close with the impending sale of Riyad Mahrez.

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Pep Guardiola’s preference is a front three. Last season, his wide berths were predominantly filled by left-footed Leroy Sane on the left, and right footed Raheem Sterling on the right. If you analyse the starting positions of these players in an attacking transition, you will note that they are as wide as can be on either touchline.

This placement allows the two attacking midfielders and the wing-backs space to attack and drive the defensive team backwards.

In January 2018, Puel brought young and quick left-footed winger Fousseni Diabate to the club. Like Sane, he tends to operate from the left flank. Diabate is the first addition to offer a true challenge to Marc Albrighton in this position. With Mahrez leaving, is it now also time for Demarai Gray to finally step up and switch to the right? This would give the Foxes two top players whose predominant foot is the same as the side of the pitch they would start.

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 Conclusions

Utilising the 4-3-3 system would seem to be a logical approach for Claude Puel to maximise the attributes of his current players. The additions of Diabate and Pereira also back this up. Puel has no history of operating three at the back so sitting Wilfred Ndidi ahead of the defence should allow the team maximum opportunities to break the opposition down in the 2018/19 season.