Cambridge United 0-3 Leicester City: Three successive friendly wins

Leicester City won their third successive pre-season fixture at Cambridge United 3-0 on Tuesday. Here’s some of the things Foxes of Leicester noticed.

We’re now fully into the pre-season fixture list, Leicester City have beaten Scunthorpe United and Cheltenham Town 1-0 and 2-1 respectively already. These contemporary times are also one of the best for Foxes purchases and prospect; a top six Premier League finish is realistically on the horizon.

Therefore the usually buoyant atmosphere around the King Power Stadium, or at the moment, social media, is legitimately lifted to a palpable sense. With the vital signing of Youri Tielemans, Ayoze Perez supplying much-needed attacking support and the promising James Justin joining Leicester – the expectancy is justified.

During the off-season matches so far, Brendan Rodgers certainly utilised his squad; using 20 different players before this outing. Some have impressed, such as Thakgalo Leshabela. A midfielder from South Africa, versus Scunthorpe Leshabela was very consistent, busy and had a telling impact.

Leicester City at Abbey Stadium

On Tuesday, however, the Blue Army witnessed a more quality, stronger and increasingly authentic starting line-up at Cambridge. It looked like a particularly forward-thinking 4-1-5-1, containing:

Kasper Schmeichel; Ben Chilwell, Harry Maguire (captain), Jonny Evans; Papy Mendy, Andy King, Youri Tielemans; Marc Albrighton, Demarai Gray; and Jamie Vardy.

This is a premiership, relegation-avoiding-level team selection; although first-half, this very decent side couldn’t break the U’s down. During the opening 45 minutes Leicester City dominated play; in fact there was some mesmerizing football from the Foxes.

Quick, snappy interchanging passing and moving, complemented by a real comfortable feeling with the ball at their feet – is the way Foxes of Leicester describe Brendan Rodgers’ outfit against Cambridge for much of the 90.

Though, the League Two side’s goalkeeper was exceptional all evening; yet at times it seemed as though cling-film attached between his net when rolling balls couldn’t squeeze in on several occasions.

For more analysis from FoL, check out Dominic Wells‘ evaluation on Twitter.

Substitutes included: James Justin, Caglar Soyuncu, Wes Morgan, James Maddison, Eldin Jakupović, Kelechi Iheanacho, Harvey Barnes, Hamza Choudhury, Calvin Ughelumba, Adrien Silva, Christian Fuchs, Rachid Ghezzal, Sidnei Tavares.

We saw most of the formerly mentioned roster emerge second half, following Maguire’s headed initial goal. England’s talismanic defender rose above opponents and struck in with superb strength and magnetism.

More from Foxes of Leicester

• Enzo Maresca hails four star Leicester players
• Harry Winks reveals his easy decision to join Leicester
• Southampton 1-4 Leicester City: 3 Foxes positives and negatives
• Southampton 1-4 Leicester: 3 things learned
• Predicted Leicester City starting XI vs Southampton

Fortune was definitely showing its fate as Maguire was inevitably the first goalscorer. Albeit in the most intense and contradictory part of his transfer deal, the apparently the never-ending saga.

Second-half City really managed to make their superiority tell; a wonderful piece of wingplay from Barnes enabled Iheanacho to leap and apply another top draw header for goal number two. His confidence will now be rising – it’ll be interesting to see the fruits of his hard-work come August 11.

Talking of putting in the extra effort: Choudhury again showed his importance in the Foxes squad by once more shelling his defensiveness, dispossessing a player and slotting neatly. Thus giving Leicester a 3-0 victory on the road and another resounding lift going into the Stoke City/Rotherham games.

Our conclusion is, with due reluctance: things are looking up and the club appears to be a very happy camp! Head over to lcfc.com for further news and views from the latest practice outing.