Caglar Soyuncu, Wes Morgan or both in Harry Maguire’s absence?
Brendan Rodgers has a big call to make ahead of Bournemouth’s visit to Leicester City: Caglar Soyuncu, Wes Morgan or both to partner Jonny Evans in Harry Maguire’s absence. Foxes of Leicester investigates.
A perplexing and widely asked question has reappeared once more, as Foxes of Leicester ponder the impact of a fully reinstated – and contradictory current lauding of – Wes Morgan to the Leicester City lineup.
It’s obviously commendable of the victorious legendary captain to reemerge on to the field five minutes into a challenging fixture away to Burnley. Harry Maguire’s dismissal was the reason for Morgan’s early introduction; following the Jamaica international’s recent rightful deposing from the team by Jonny Evans.
Goal published a piece on alterations to Premier League suspensions in the summer. Stating that an offender who gets a red card for a professional foul will receive a one match ban. Therefore Leicester will only miss the England player for that clash, thankfully. Expect Maguire to be reinstated into the starting line-up upon return.
Soyuncu for Leicester City
Reports of Rodgers’ feelings lead us to believe, despite Wes Morgan’s heroics I’m Lancashire in the Foxes’ last Premier League outing, that Soyuncu could enter the starting XI in a defensive three versus Bournemouth on Saturday 31 March.
Back in October, the Cherries’ demolition of now sacked Claude Puel’s team 4-0 early in the season gave warning signs that the Jamaican was out-of-his-depth in the top-flight, on the day at least. Many, simpatico with this writer’s belief, think that Morgan’s frailties will be exposed again to the club’s detriment – if he’s constantly fielded. And that the marvellous winning goal at Turf Moor merely masked his shortcomings at age-35.
Whether a new yearlong contract for the team captain is justified – with respects to the apparent positive dressing room influence – remains to be seen in 2019/20. In all honesty it doesn’t seem necessary for Rodgers to extend someone’s deal for another 12 months just to “win over the squad” – he already has the roster’s respect.
Foxes of Leicester would strongly consider the 4-3-3 system with Jonny Evans and Soyuncu as starting centre-backs, if we were in the Northern Irishman’s position. This is what the Foxes manager said of the Turkish starlet’s chances of a game:
"“(Soyuncu) has done very well in training.“There’s been stability with the two centre-halves, Harry and Jonny, but it gives us a chance, and we’ll look at him for the next game.”Via Leicester Mercury"
From what FoL has seen of Soyuncu he has many attributes that can enable a defender to establish himself as a modern Premier League mainstay: fearlessness, vision, adept challenging, aerial presence, satisfactory passing, goalscoring threat and teamwork.
If the communication issues the Turk faces are keeping him out of the team, maybe assimilation through a better understanding can materialise from being thrown in at the deep end. Not to mention the experience he will gain from being alongside Evans, as well as Morgan, possibly.
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While Rodgers has only used the 3-4-3 once in his time while in charge of the King Power club, in his initial loss to Watford at Vicarage Road, he does have a fondness for three at the back. Which means Soyuncu may find himself deputising alongside Morgan and Evans in Maguire’s absence.
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Though, in Rodgers’ previous two matches at the Leicester helm his outfit triumphed whilst employing a 4-3-3 formation; along with a transitional 4-1-4-1 when defending. Which notifies us of the old notion, “never change a winning side.” However, Eddie Howe’s team are potent on the attack and can cause major problems, thusly justifying three imposing central defenders.