Why Leicester’s defence can become the best in Premier League: fullbacks

Timothy Castagne

“He does it all”

The Belgium international joined the Foxes from Atalanta at the beginning of the 20/21 season. His debut was exceptional. He has nailed himself into the first team no questions asked. Well, one question asked: is he fit. Injuries have not been kind to him, so Leicester can only hope he will be back soon.

Anyway, Castagne is a more versatile Ricky P, with slightly less defensive acumen. He is young though so he will definitely improve this element of his game. Castagne brings pace, penetration, clinical passing, great tracking back, and intelligent defending. These are important qualities on top of his versatility to play in different vertical and horizonal positions.

According to Transfermarkt, Castagne has seldom played left-back. I want to correct this. He has seldom started left-back. For Leicester City, we have seen him and Justin rotate during matches, switching the pitch to provide a different attacking or defensive intelligence dependent on the wingers they will face.

He has mostly played as a right-back or a wing-back on either side. The question which many Foxes fans have asked and answered is whether he is in fact an upgrade on Ben Chilwell. Ben Chilwell was and is an incredible talent. He played his heart out for the club and deserves our respect and praise. Yet, Castagne has managed to bring something Chilwell did not: versatility.

In numbers, Castagne has scored a goal, created 0.9 big chances per 90, made 14.6 progressive passes per 90, made 2.5 clearances and 1.4 interceptions per 90, and has 4.9 ball recoveries per 90 this season thus far.

He does it all. Defending well, though not perfectly. Attacking brilliantly, creating assists and goals. What a great new member to the Foxes family.