Fulham 1-1 Leicester City: 3 things we learned

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LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 05: General view inside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Leicester City at Craven Cottage on December 5, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

Possession can equal a lack of ideas for Leicester City

Recently, Foxes of Leicester wrote an article suggesting a theory related to Manchester City’s attacking style, which Leicester City can adopt or integrate into their own approach. Basically the Foxes are in need of the ball but can still sting on the breakaway:

"“The theory in suggestion is that a balance is struck by the Foxes’ manager, whereby possession is the method – complimented by a swift counterattack.” – Foxes of Leicester’s: ‘Leicester City theory: a tweak in attack to create more goals‘"

Subsequently, another of the Citizens’ offensive methods is suitable to add to Claude Puel’s preferred custom: simply pass and move into space, loads of it and give an option, relentlessly!

Wolves beat the improved Chelsea side with 30 per cent possession, also on Wednesday night. In fact, following beating Watford with less of the ball – playing a quick counter-attack, lauded by journalists and fans alike – Leicester City had 57 per cent of it first-half against Fulham. Second-half it evened out to 54/46 per cent in the East Midlands club’s favour overall.

Puel’s side do not seem to need the ball a lot to utilise their best players’ attributes. However, to play neater, cleaner more deadly football with ball retention increased, as well as more passes – the old ‘Liverpool triangle’ of pass-and-move fundamentals must surely help. Confidence will therefore arise from our worst turnover merchants – no names mentioned – they must be comfortable on the ball – being elite professionals, after all.

While perusing Premier League statistics for Leicester City this season, it is clear the team is creating ample chances. They are 10th on the ‘big chances missed’ list of clubs. The club is just ahead of its expected-goal tally, another fact which may deceive.

For example: if the team is not creating many clear chances but converting the expected – or slightly more than – we conclude it is a good thing. Yet, if it is not a significantly high number of opportunities being created, then we make a deceptive assessment.

So, Marc Albrighton, James Maddison, Ben Chilwell, Demarai Gray, Harry Maguire, the centre-midfield duo – even Iheanacho are applying key passes and assists, in most cases. Total shots sees the Foxes 12th, 103 less than 1st place Citizens. That is actually not too bad for Leicester; a team with an apparent innate dislike for monopolising the ball.