Foxes of Leicester nominates and analyses Leicester City’s three most influential and important contemporary players under Brendan Rodgers.
We are one day away from the next Premier League campaign, and 2020/21 is sure to be another blockbuster season. Leicester have booked their place in the Europa League so there is also a European tour for fans to look forward to.
The question Foxes of Leicester are asking today – which Leicester players are the three most influential of the entire roster?
Leicester City’s third most influential player is Wilfred Ndidi
To be honest, even now at the time of writing and the decision having been made, I’m still unsure whether Wilfred Ndidi is high enough at number three on the most influential Leicester players list. But he has to go somewhere. If it were not for the more creative and goalscoring players, he would most probably be Foxes of Leicester’s No.1.
A world category leader in tackling and intercepting – to overtake the inhuman efforts of former Fox N’golo Kante is a monumental achievement of Ndidi’s – the Nigerian is coveted by fans the globe over. Not to mention enormous clubs like Paris Saint Germain reportedly fancying the defensive midfielder’s services. An imperative inclusion.
James Maddison is No.2
One statistic that really leaped out at me regarding James Maddison’s guile, efficiency, class and deadly nature, was the fact that he was leading his premiership peers in the Goals from Outside of the Box section for a good while. Beating such excellent professionals as well as peers, like Christian Eriksen, Riyad Mahrez and James Ward-Prowse.
Obviously the genius supplied to the Foxes via Maddison doesn’t end at exquisite finishing or by being a set-piece master in the making. No, along with that, his key passing stats are also a top-flight linchpin. If Jamie Vardy – an honourable mention at fourth – and the former Norwich City man can look for one another and connect slightly more in contests, Leicester could become unstoppable again. Just as they were in 2015/16.
In games, the England international has the style, knowledge, experience and technique to change matches of the utmost calibre. A special player, who is only going to improve under the tutelage of Brendan Rodgers – a known man management motivator.
While there is a need for more intensity and consistency in his performances at times, the 23 year old is undoubtedly FoL’s number two selection here. Thankfully ‘Madders’ signed a new deal with Leicester recently, keeping him at the King Power club for years to come. It’s not just with the East Midlanders – Maddison will become popular on a worldwide scale.
Ricardo Pereira is the most crucial Foxes player
Oh how Rodgers has missed Ricardo Pereira in his team; in truth, the Portuguese’s influence is immeasurable. FoL’s top man in the side is fully deserving of the accolade. Ricardo’s dominance and positive effect on the outfit has only grown, flourished and amazed as time goes by.
An attacking fullback, the 26 year old could easily transition into a winger or midfielder on either flank, if he so desired. However, then his team-mates would miss out on his brilliant reading of opponents, intense tackling and defensive nous. The Portugal player supplies everything good that a right-back should; if it weren’t for Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ricardo would be the best in the division.
While the Foxes have only signed one player this summer – although Timothy Castagne is almost certain to be a big hit in the English top-flight – they have also managed to retain their most important personnel so far. Maddison has signed a new deal; while Caglar Soyuncu is thought to extend his Leicester stay imminently, as well. There is also intense talk that Frenchman Wesley Fofana will join the club.
With defender and Ben Chilwell joining Chelsea for a flattering price, it remains to be seen if new signing Castagne will replace the England international at left-back. Alternatively, Rodgers’ formation will possibly be altered to a 3-4-2-1 once more, with the Belgian at left-wingback.