The Curious Starting XI of Claude Puel: exploring the gaffer’s bold selections
A 2-1 victory in the dying embers of the match against Southampton left Leicester City and their faithful exuberant. Yet, the only thing more shocking than Harry Maguire’s miracle strike against the Saints was Claude Puel’s starting XI.
Leicester City under Claude Puel are looking promising. In three matches the Foxes have achieved six points. Wins came against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Southampton and a loss against Manchester United.
With the quality of players the Foxes have on their roster, these results are not surprising. Though the match outcomes have not been surprising – Puel’s starting XI has been, for better or worse.
Miracle Mendy
The transfer window for Leicester City was more than busy. Puel gave the club an overhaul this summer – by bringing in seven new players for a staggering total of £104.3 million – according to transfer markt. Yet, the most surprising addition to the starting lineup is defensive midfielder Nampalys Mendy.
Mendy joined Leicester in July of 2016, when former boss Claudio Ranieri signed the Frenchman from Nice for a then club transfer record of £13 million. In that first season with the Foxes, Mendy only made seven appearances in all competitions; four of which were in the Premier League. This lack of game time led to a season long loan move back to Nice for the 2017/18 season.
After an uninspiring performance at Manchester United, people assumed Adrien Silva would be benched and replaced by Vicente Iborra – or possibly even Hamza Choudhury. Instead, Puel gambled with Mendy for matches against the Wanderers and Saints: the results were shocking.
To put it simply, Mendy was surprisingly terrific. The French midfielder performed calmly and effectively on the pitch. Though it has been only two matches, Puel’s bold selection of Mendy may have finally found the perfect partner to Wilfred Ndidi. In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that in comparison against Southampton, Mendy outshined and outperformed the always reliable Ndidi – not easily done!
Mendy has been apart of Leicester for two seasons now, however, it feels as if the Foxes have a brand new player that can immediately help in the middle of the pitch. Although, with every yin there is a yang and with every bold call to start the Frenchman, there is the ever more curious choice of Daniel Amartey.