Marc Albrighton should start regardless of Ayoze Perez status: Leicester opinion

Leicester City resume their 2019/20 campaign on Saturday afternoon and Brendan Rodgers will face a huge decision in his team selection.

There have been rumours that Ayoze Perez has picked up an injury after missing the practice game against Aston Villa. However, Leicester boss Rodgers has the experience and quality of Marc Albrighton to hand.

In their last outing – the 4-0 demolition of Aston Villa – Rodgers opted for Harvey Barnes and Albrighton on the wings, with Perez an unused sub.

This article discusses why the former-Villa man should preserve his place in the starting line-up when the Foxes travel to Watford.

Why should Leicester City revert to Albrighton?

Albrighton was the only player of the 2015/16 title-winning campaign that started City’s last game, showing that he is still capable to produce for his club. In the previous nine games the 30-year-old has started for the Foxes, they have won eight and drew one.

However, this season he has only appeared 14 times in the Premier League, collecting only three assists. While Perez has started the majority of the Foxes’ games, 25, and only recorded four.

Before the hiatus in the footballing season, the former Aston Villa man started the last two games and created three goals; this was after Perez failed to contribute to a goal since his double in January against West Ham. Meanwhile, Albrighton remains a Foxes favourite and continues to be a cross specialist – something that was incredibly vital when City won the league.

Perez has been the victim of criticism since his £30million move from Newcastle United in July, mainly due to the lack of goals scored by the winger. Sometimes his general contributions are also questioned by supporters, too.

With the pace and creativity that Barnes offers on the left-wing, Albrighton’s commitment to offering support to the right-back and ability to provide pinpoint accuracy offers two separate outlet for Rodgers.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Albrighton said:

"“The gaffer still says to the other players that we need bodies in the box when I get the ball.“I have to choose my time because if Jamie Vardy is not in there then I am not aiming at a great deal. He wants me to look to pull it back for the 8s to cross it from deeper positions.”"

With the absence of Ricardo Pereira, due to an ACL injury picked up against Villa, James Justin is likely to add to his two Premier League starts. With Albrighton occupying the right-winger position, Justin will be backed when faced up against either Gerard Deulofeu or Roberto Pereyra.