The main issues facing Claude Puel at Leicester City
Formation/best XI
Firstly, are two central-defensive-midfielders necessary? No. What about the three ‘DCMs’ Puel played against Spurs? No, it is preposterous in that sense and completely uncreative. However, some may have expected more going forward from Vicente Iborra. Maybe recruitment’s main target should be another ball playing midfielder.
How about a three-centre-back partnership? Well, that is something this writer has championed – with the assets in the Foxes squad – for almost the entirety of the 57-year-old’s tenure.
Yes, the jury is still out on Caglar Soyuncu and Jonny Evans to a certain extent – but the duo hypothetically playing with Harry Maguire; or one of the pair with Wes Morgan and Maguire, could be revolutionary for the Frenchman.
Defensive attackers
Wing-backs and full-backs are arguably now one of the most important aspects of any Premier League side. Here is why: play is now always built from the back at elite clubs – goalkeepers often pass to centre-backs, who then give the ball to the colleagues either side of them. If not directly from ‘keepers – who are now excellent ball players themselves.
Left and right-backs are regularly now a big catalyst of forward moves – we have seen this in the past from Brazilians to Englishmen but it is an extremely prevalent contemporarily. Making the excelling Ben Chilwell, and the rampant Ricardo Pereira, key in Leicester City’s attacking play.
If this setup implements adequately it will increase Vardy, along with Iheanacho’s scoring through cutback finishes from overlapping and byline movement. In addition to enabling comfortable ball retention for Maddison, among others, at a higher level of the opposing half. Hopefully giving playmakers a greater chance to create. And, the style still fits in a 4-2-3-1 with forward-thinking full-backs having two-DCMs to cover their up-field moves.
Obviously this season is generally immeasurable in regards to success or lack of, rightly, due to the late, great Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s passing devastatingly at the King Power Stadium. Yet, the Foxes manager and players seem keen to play at their best – honouring Mr chairman’s vision and legacy in the process.
Best XI
Discovering, implementing and maintaining a club’s best XI players in a starting team is not easy. Yet, it appears imperative in salvaging Leicester’s fastly floundering campaign at the end of the first-half of 2018/19.
Motivation, desire and hunger are in short supply at the East Midlands club. Although Puel celebrated Albrighton’s excellent equaliser against Manchester City as exuberantly as Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp. Proving some of the ‘boo boys’ incorrect over the gaffer’s apparent lack of passion.
Occasionally a best XI does not contain the 11 most prominent players in a team: but the best combination, or even amalgamation of teammates; with the emphasis on team. Flourishing in these areas may save Puel’s job.
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Tuesday saw Manchester City and their second string side, which would easily finish in the Premier League top half – and contained Kyle Walker, Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne – travel to the King Power Stadium and win the Carabao Cup quarter-final on penalties. Harry Maguire scored convincingly, before Christian Fuchs, James Maddison and Caglar Soyuncu all missed poorly.