With the International break already here, let us take a look which players are in or out of form for Leicester City early on this season.
In Form Foxes
James Maddison
After impressing with Norwich City last season, Leicester signed the 21-year old playmaker for a fee of roughly £22 million. That investment by the club seems to have paid off in the short-term. Maddison has arguably been Leicester’s best player this campaign, always willing to be the creative force in the middle of the park.
He has surprised supporters and pundits alike with his ability to take on defenders as well as his desire to defend from the front. In four games this season, he already has a goal, an assist, and converted over 80% of his passes (as per WhoScored).
If Maddison is able to control games and pull the strings in the attacking third like he has so far this season, then he will have a chance of being Leicester’s breakthrough player of the season.
Demarai Gray
Demarai Gray has started every league game for Leicester, and has looked strong in every game. He has played both on the wing and as a number nine. While he struggled as the out and out striker, he has had a massive impact from the wide role. He has been very effective from both the left and right wing, helping ease the blow of Riyad Mahrez departing for Manchester City.
Claude Puel has put his faith in younger players this year, and the 22-year old has only strengthened his case to be in the starting XI week in and week out. With Puel giving new signing Rachid Ghezzal time to adapt to the Premier League, Gray has taken his chance and looks to have a big role to play for City this season.
Ben Chilwell
Ben Chilwell has been Leicester’s most lively player this month after finally being given regular starts at left-back. Arguably the most consistent player for Puel this term, Chilwell has been a force on the left all season. His work rate is second to none, and his one-on-one defending has improved drastically since last season.
He is also becoming more involved in attack, and more comfortable on the ball under Puel’s system – which emphasises possession. In this system fullbacks are encouraged to get forward and contribute in attack, and Chilwell has done that with surging runs forward all season. If he can continue to provide in both attack and defence, he will be in contention for an England call-up before the end of the season.
Wilfred Ndidi
Once again, Wilfred Ndidi has started this season brightly. He has played every minute of Leicester’s league campaign this season, and has been a workhorse for City. It is easy to forget that the lad is still just 21 because of his composure in the centre of the park. The Nigerian International has hardly put a foot wrong all season, and will only continue to grow and mature as the campaign kicks on.
As per WhoScored, Ndidi has already made 13 successful tackles to go with 6 interceptions, and only one yellow card. Ndidi is one of the first names on the team sheet every week, and should be given every opportunity to continue to impress in the middle of the park.
Nampalys Mendy
Nampalys Mendy was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI for Leicester City against Wolverhampton Wanderers to most supporters; however, since then, he has proved how valuable he can be to Leicester when given new life under Claude Puel.
While he doesn’t have the technical ability like Adrien Silva, or the experience of Vicente Iborra, he is above both in the pecking order. He may not be the flashiest player, but he is much more defensive-minded, always mopping up plays and breaking up attacks before they can start. Perr WhoScored, he had three tackles, three interceptions, and a player rating of 7.3 against Wolves.
Out of Form and out of Favor
Andy King and Danny Simpson
They are both club legends, but are completely out of Puel’s plans. Andy King did not even make the Premier League 25-man roster. He is probably the sixth choice central midfield option at the club right now, and should have left on loan at the end of the transfer window.
Danny Simpson is another player in Puel’s doghouse. With the signing of Ricardo Pereira – and Daniel Amartey above him in the pecking order – first team opportunities will be hard to come by for Simpson. It is an unfortunate situation for the two City legends, and somewhat of a surprise move by Puel to cast out Simpson, but it is the choice the manager has made. The two should be back to playing first team football for another club and off City’s books by January.
Daniel Amartey
He had an aotrocious start to the league campaign with the hand ball against Manchester United. Puel insists on putting him out at right-back every chance he is given, but when called up for national team duty, he plays as a central defender or as a central midfielder.
A part of his struggle has been the failure to adapt to the pace of the league, as well as having to learn yet another position. If Puel can put the 23-year-old in a position where he is more comfortable, then Amartey may be able to rediscover his form, and contribute in a more positive way for the team.
Jonny Evans
Evans has made one start for the Foxes this campaign, and he did not impress. The 30-year-old l was brought in to add experience and a calming presence to Leicester’s backline; however, against Wolves, he struggled to impose himself, and seemed to be a bit late every time he tried to close down on his opponents. Since then, he has been on the bench in favour of club legend and current club captain, Wes Morgan.
Kelechi Iheanacho
The 21-year-old has struggled to replace Jamie Vardy’s goals up front for City since the latter’s suspension. This may partially be due to a lack of service, but he failed to score off numerous great opportunities anyway. Iheanacho has already proven he can score in City’s cup competitions, but has failed to have that same impact in the league.
Again, he has been starved of service, but at this level, you need to convert the chances you are given as a striker. It is worrying to City supporters that there is such a drastic drop in the quality of strikers after Vardy at the moment, but Iheanacho still has time to prove his worth to the club.