Why Leicester’s defence can become best in Premier League

The basics

Sean Dyche is renowned for the shape and system he employs at Burnley. His system is not that of attackers, midfielders, defenders, and a goalkeeper. He believes that every single player has a defensive duty at any part of the pitch.

So I want to let you know the two basics of football, which are inspired by the Burnley manager. First, enjoy yourself. As a player, you have always got to try and play with a spring in your step, being creative and working well with your teammates. Second, defend well. As a player, you have always got to do your part in the collective to prevent the creation of goal-scoring opportunities.

Something which is often avoided by commentators is to discuss the impact of ‘non-defence’ players in contributing towards defensive actions and the prevention of opposition chances. At the end of the day, football is about scoring goals and stoping goals. Those who can do both well are rare.

Such is the contribution of two players at Leicester City: Jamie Vardy, and Marc Albrighton. Vardy is a menace in his own box as well as in the opposition area. Vardy will always try to get to the ball first, provide a high pace outlet out of the defensive block, and even try to win headers from corners. Albrighton is critical to the Foxes defence from the wings, and often tracks very far back, pushing one of the defenders inwards so he might effectively become the right back.

One final remark. #BringBackBenkovic. It is very hard to judge Benkovic – the Croatian tower. He has hardly featured for the Foxes, but he did feature once in the 2018/19 EFL Cup. He was actually immense during those 90 minutes, his passing was on point (93.94%), and essentially took the role of Evans.

Benkovic is a younger, faster, more progressive Jonny Evans. He had plenty of time as a developing player at Celtic, and his loan moves have been poorly judged. He needs to play at Leicester as understudy to Evans if he is to progress in his career.

Leicester City’s central defence can be the best in the Premier League. It can be the most balanced, with dynamic and individually superb players in a plethora of alternate roles for different situations.

Dynamism and balance are the watchwords of all long-term successful defences; such are the words we can now come to apply to the Foxes. We have one of the best defenders in each role, and it can only get better with more development and a couple of transfers.