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Brendan Rodgers shouldn’t start two balls-winners Vs Sheffield United: Leicester City views

By Thomas Bradley Alderman

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Onyinye Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City speaks to Hamza Choudhury of Leicester City ahead of the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Leicester City at St Mary's Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 25: Onyinye Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester City speaks to Hamza Choudhury of Leicester City ahead of the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Leicester City at St Mary's Stadium on August 25, 2018 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) /
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Starting two defensive-midfielders midfielders, Hamza Choudhury and Wilfred Ndidi, Vs Chelsea is understandable. Against Sheffield United, it’s questionable.

Against Wolverhampton Wanderers at King Power Stadium, Brendan Rodgers made a mistake: he played two ball winners against a tired side. Leicester City’s team have a direct, attacking flow style – and it was completely stifled by fielding a duo of defensive-midfielders.

This isn’t a criticism of Wilfred Ndidi or Hamza Choudhury; both are excellent recovery and combative players. Although it did the City side no favours to play both from the beginning. Especially with the risk of James Maddison being wasted on the wing, and by default, the lack of a specialist winger on either side. A 0-0 result justifies this theory. You can review the statistics on lcfc.com.

Leicester City evolving

While Rodgers’ defensive alteration of bringing in Caglar Soyuncu was a stroke of genius. Pairing Jonny Evans and the Turk seems as good a partnership as any the Foxes have secured over the years. However, Soyuncu must be tested and reassessed after at least another three Premier League matches, to fairly gauge his prowess and temperament.

Against Chelsea on Sunday, the Northern Irishman continued with his slightly disappointing system change for 2019/20. Choudhury and Ndidi began, though it seemed to work better in this game particularly first-half as Leicester City struggled in every department. Consequently the pair managed to break up the Pensioners’ play somewhat.

Yet in the second-half it seemed a little less effective to have both still on as Leicester gained momentum and increased control of the game. In fact fielding two DCMs almost becomes counterproductive as the fluidity of attack is one less man strong. Whilst Choudhury and Ndidi still made positive contributions.

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The Nigerian will be delighted that he scored his great header from the Maddison corner, as he was caught pathetically in possession for Chelsea’s opener. Choudhury may be the man to put faith in when the east Midlands outfit contest Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. In what is the Foxes’ initial Saturday 3pm kick-off this campaign – hooray!

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Two DCMs are unnecessary versus a promoted club and Rodgers must revert to his favourable method and layout – which was working for him up until Atalanta in the final pre-season friendly. Whilst Foxes of Leicester respect the Blades, these are the type of teams the club from Filbert Way must defeat to realise ambition. With Demarai Gray out-of-form and favour, Harvey Barnes should come in. With a solo striker of Jamie Vardy’s stature, Marc Albrighton feels a little one-dimensional.