Leicester v Valencia: friendly match report

Here is everything we learned from Leicester City’s penultimate pre-season friendly versus Valencia from the King Power Stadium.

Leicester City welcomed Spanish side Valencia to the King Power Stadium for their only home friendly this summer. Valencia have qualified for the Champions League this season and are quality opposition. Both sides named respectable line-ups for the occasion. Harry Maguire and Jamie Vardy are still unavailable.

And as you can see above – excitement filled the squad – seemingly apart from Kelechi Iheanacho! No, I am only joking, I am sure he is ok there – it was focus! There were seven changes to the Udinese side. Most noteworthy, according to Leicester Mercury, 14 senior players missed out completely. So expect multiple loans and sales imminently!

The starting line-up is below. Kasper Schmeichel received a warm welcome from the home support during the warm-up. His passing boots have returned, which is encouraging!

A first telling opportunity went to Leicester City and it was taken by Kelechi Iheanacho, 1-0. James Maddison and Fousenni Diabate’s touch evaded them very early on. Yet when Maddison is controlling offensive play, Leicester look their most dangerous. Like they did when he bundled the ball to Iheanacho for his second goal in two matches.

Marc Albrighton was his usual self – industrious – although lacking quality with his final ball occasionally. His lackadaisical clearance leading to Valencia’s equaliser. 1-1.

Vicente Iborra and Wilfred Ndidi look likely to begin at Old Trafford – both very comfortable and reliable. Ndidi especially broke up play; this is ideal for Iborra to spray passes. And also gives Maddison impetus to attack from his favoured No.10 position.

Two things I noticed early were the counter attack system in place; yet with more possession of the ball. And centre-midfielders floating many diagonal passes to the flanks.

Ben Chilwell and Iheanacho seem to have improved physically – which was much-needed. Yohan Benalouane did not read the most dangerous early situation defensively and gave loose distribution. For all the Tunisian’s determination – he is not a Premier League starter as I see it.

There was not a lot to report between then and the break. Leicester Mercury‘s James Sharpe gives his view on Twitter:

Second-half

Leicester City made four changes at half-time. You can see which players made way and who entered below.

Maddison began with a testing and accurate delivery into the box following excellent team play, unfortunately no Fox could connect cleanly. Iborra was strong in the centre once more – cleverly attracting fouls – which lead to searching free-kicks. Darnell Johnson got himself into the box for two chances, however he could not convert either.

Albrighton makes so much effort but his decrease in successful distribution is concerning. Chilwell’s endeavour to get forward is imposing, yet, again, decision-making and end product need work. More substitutions emerged at 63 minutes.

Johnson did better at the other end: thwarting a good opportunity for the Bats. Josh Gordon also seems to read the game decently. Another attacking player, George Thomas, came on in place or Diabate soon after. Thomas is arguably the Development squad’s most consistent attacker. Gordon was positive and just as Johnson did, he had opportunities. Drawing saves from the Valencia stopper.

Another youth product, Hamza Choudhury, produced interceptions and transition play well for Leicester. The 20-year-old is edging closer and closer into Puel’s thoughts it appears. However I cannot envisage him higher than fourth choice in the middle.

Johnson and Gordon are raw and need polishing, but are clearly prospects. Confidence from Layton Ndukwu and Gordon is through the roof – expect to see glimpses of them both around the squad this term – even if not involved.

If absentee Demarai Gray is fit to face Manchester United, he should start ahead of Diabate. Adrien Silva had many nice touches; evading opponents effectively and efficiently. Portugal’s creative man is another player staking a claim for the starting line-up.

Evaluation

Encouragingly, the Foxes applied much pressure to a Champions League opponent. Claiming a second draw in preseason.

As for the main talking points: Iborra, Ndidi and Albrighton stopping good build up moves in midfield, turns into brake-away chances. These are excellent signals for a tough trip to Old Trafford on August 10. Another quality team not to be underestimated – yet Leicester can get at the Red Devils and cause massive problems – even if it will require a battle and brilliant play to secure the win.

Creative players like Maddison need to get on the ball. He is playing more and more as our pivotal man. Wes Morgan did a consistent job with minimal work to do. I am not a supporter of his continued starting capacity, though there is no adequate replacement.

Silva and Chilwell and took over certain set-pieces from Maddison. I would keep the former Canary on the dead-balls. After he received a knock he was withdrawn for safety measures. Don’t worry – it was nothing that seemed serious.

Look out for Daniel Amartey this campaign – he looks to have improved to me. This could be vital, as City have a deficiency in defensive numbers. It appears Danny Simpson’s time may have come to an end with the impressive Ricardo Pereira assured of a start. Simpson played in the Development squad earlier Wednesday.

Ahmed Musa, Islam Slimani and Leonardo Ulloa were conspicuously absent – they are generally considered up for sale. Although I think Musa deserves another run out. It was great to see Claude Puel give opportunity to youth, some did themselves more favours than others. Maddison was my man-of-the-match.

Another draw, but a convincing practice with more energy and top stars to return. Leicester City play Lille in Northern France on Saturday in the final warm-up match. Watch the game free on lcfc.com.

Tweeted directly after the game by BBC Sport was confirmation from Puel stating Vardy and Maguire will miss the trip to Old Trafford! Oh dear, oh dear!