Foxes of Leicester
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Leicester City theory: a tweak in attack to create more goals

By Thomas Bradley Alderman

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: General view inside the stadium where a detailed view of a corner flag can be seen prior to the Premier League match between Leicester City and West Ham United at The King Power Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: General view inside the stadium where a detailed view of a corner flag can be seen prior to the Premier League match between Leicester City and West Ham United at The King Power Stadium on October 27, 2018 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 10: Claude Puel, Manager of Leicester City looks on prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Leicester City at Etihad Stadium on February 10, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 10: Claude Puel, Manager of Leicester City looks on prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Leicester City at Etihad Stadium on February 10, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

A model of modern domestic greatness

Manchester City is the first port of call for a wanting-to-be-enlightened English side. Cultivated Spanish culture, complemented by English metal and worldly experience and sparkling young talent. But the mould is simple; according to Guardian, Guardiola’s offensive style involves:

"“a player with time on the ball in that zone [the Red zone is having possession on the edge of the opponents’ box] was a major threat, able to shoot or slide balls through the defence…Manchester City, notably, target the area on the edge of the ‘Hitzfeld red zone’, the space between central defender and fullback.”"

That is essentially the proposed tweak which will see the Foxes increase scoring – vital as it is for Vardy to resume his usual habits. This is not a proposal to plagiarize the style at the Etihad, but merely, to refine and develop on Puel’s already solid start at transition, via the example.

Enhancing team mentality, as well as their purpose, was critical to the initial overhaul. Stage two becomes addressing what it missing from the current outfit, which it had before, and now has lost: the swift counter of 2015/16. Reinstating the killer-counter for the correct scenario on the pitch.

Leicester City are occasionally accused of playing too many passes this season, especially in forward scenarios where there is little room to maneuver due to Premier League opponents fielding a deeper defensive line. Teams do that to deal with conceding Jamie Vardy breakaway goals – as all premiership defences suffered with, since circa 2014.

Now, this is where the Citizens approach is essential: so that Sergio Aguero, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane – and other immensely speedy company, under Guardiola – do not have the easy one-on-one chance, defences sit further back. Watch the Sky Blues’ goals this campaign; over half the finishes are netted as tap-ins after a byline play and cut-back from the afore-mentioned wingers, or fullbacks Kyle Walker or Benjamin Mendy. Therefore exploiting the side of the ‘red zone’.

Indeed, we have our own artisans and assistance artistes capable of holding the ball, weighting passes, along with supplying Vardy for some easy conversions. Ben Chilwell is Leicester City’s Mendy. An attacking left-back; who is fast becoming a league favourite amongst fans everywhere – and not just the Blue Army. Then there is James Maddison, who can contribute similarly to David Silva, Bernardo Silva or Kevin De Bruyne: key-passes, not always assisting a goal directly but initiating, instigating. Not to mention, chipping in with some important goals.