Leicester City v Udinese: friendly match report

Claude Puel made six changes from the Akhisarspor draw on Wednesday. Adrien Silva started with multiple World Cup stars on the bench. Here is what we learned.

Leicester City lost their unbeaten run in the first friendly against elite opposition in preseason. 2-1 winners Udinese were slick and confident first-half, doing the damage with two well taken one-on-one finishes. New goalkeeper signing Danny Ward had no chance. Yet generally impressed once again.

During the game, Claude Puel substituted all 10 outfield players, only Ward played 90 minutes. Using 24 men in total. Adrien Silva was sharper after he returned from Portugal and Ronaldo’s knockout appearance.

All of Leicester City’s World Cup stars have returned to a form of training. However, Kasper Schmeichel, who was in Austria, was not selected. Jamie Vardy and Harry Maguire are yet to meet up with the squad following extended breaks.

Despite seven more corners and five more shots, the Foxes did not make a great impression. According to Puel, his weakened team did not gel well first-half:

"“I think this game was a shame because the first 30 minutes was not enough with big mistakes with the goals conceded. After, especially in the second half, it was a good second half with chances and good play.” – Claude Puel (Via: lcfc.com)"

Although, second-half the Foxes improved. Leicester City began to impose themselves with the addition of James Maddison, Ahmed Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho. I have also been impressed with Nampalys Mendy. He is looking closer and closer to the style of player N’golo Kante was for the Blues. Or a Claude Makelele replica. With an everlasting engine and appetite to reclaim the ball.

Iheanacho’s strength and determination were exceptional for the finish. Yet it was academic as the lacklustre, slow-to-react defending first-half, gave Udinese a good margin to protect. And they had the slick midfielders to do it. Although, a first-rate Leicester City should beat them.

However, this second string Foxes side were not sharp, on average. Attention span problems in defence by experienced defenders like Christian Fuchs and Wes Morgan is why I champion starting lineup replacements for them.

Morgan was at fault for the first goal – again. And Fuchs could do better with the second. Darnell Johnson is quite far from a premiership start, but he involved himself well: solid attributes and resolve. Marc Albrighton is reliable, but seemingly less effective, missing two chances. His dead balls and crossing, like Fuchs, is still essential.

Which fringe Leicester City players impressed?

Here is something controversial for you – I rate Daniel Amartey. Not in the right-back position he played on Saturday. But there absolutely is a place he will excel in. My theory is try him on the right of a defensive three. Here is Leicester Mercury‘s evaluation.

I would like to see a 3-4-3 attempted in the two remaining fixtures, firstly versus Valencia at home. And then Lille away – in preparation for Leicester City’s Premier League opener at Old Trafford.

Ward looks commanding, assured and a fine shot stopper. I hazard a guess he will not rival Schmeichel for the No.1 spot – but is a particularly competent understudy. If the Dane leaves – which he won’t fingers crossed – then City have no ‘keeper worries.

As for which players did not impress – well, put it this way: I would sell either Islam Slimani or Leonardo Ulloa. Preferably Slimani for a larger pay-day. Ulloa is another competent backup. There is really no reason Yohan Benalouane is still on the books – he is a liability. However I value his cult-favoured determination.

There are no youngsters on the fringe of the first team, as I see it. Harvey Barnes is the only one and he is on loan at West Brom. The other close players should be loaned too to increase development speed.

My one-to-watch this campaign is Ricardo Pereira. He almost scored and set up another from an advanced midfield role, for the wing-back.

Puel will now begin to select a warmup side more similar to the eventual team to play Manchester United on August 9. Saying this in relevance: “I have a thought about the starting players for the first game.”