Foxes of Leicester
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The Curious Starting XI of Claude Puel: exploring the gaffer’s bold selections

By Brenden Woldman

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Adrien Silva of Leicester City speaks with team mates ahead of the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Leicester City at St Mary's Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Adrien Silva of Leicester City speaks with team mates ahead of the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Leicester City at St Mary's Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 10: Daniel Amartey of Leicester City and Wes Morgan of Leicester City looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on August 10, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 10: Daniel Amartey of Leicester City and Wes Morgan of Leicester City looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Leicester City at Old Trafford on August 10, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

Daniel Amartey: The player that can’t keep up

Amartey is a player that has a lot of potential. However, whenever the young international from Ghana plays he looks out-of-place. In his three appearances this season – with starts against Man United and Southampton – Amartey looked unconvincing and weak at right-back.

Amartey has the physical skills that his boss loves: a young, multi-positional player that can play both midfield and defense. While also being able to advance the ball and be on the attack; is the type of defender the French gaffer has at his disposal.

With Puel wanting Ricardo Pereira to play right-wing instead of right-back and with Danny Simpson’s age and inability of playing the attack, Amartey gets the starting right-back position. However, Amartey has squandered these opportunities. So far this season Amartey has regularly been sub par, at best. Unfortunately, his only noteworthy moment came when penalised for a handball against United that led to a Paul Pogba penalty kick.

Could Claude Puel’s confidence in Daniel Amartey be waning? The safe lineup would have Pereira start at right-back and bring back Marc Albrighton as the starting right-winger.

However, if Puel continues this trend of bold and surprising selections for his starting XI – then it should come to no surprise when Amartey starts next Saturday versus Liverpool. Who will be playing right-back is not the only defensive question that Puel needs to answer.