How Leicester will likely lineup in Maddison’s absence

In a crucial Europa League match for Leicester City against Slavia Prague, this is how Brendan Rodgers’ team will probably lineup in James Maddison’s absence.

Maddison will be a miss, don’t doubt that. Yet the Foxes have enough quality in their team to still bypass the Czech side. Mainly, the problem is that no other pedigree No.10 exists at the club. There are players who can fill the role: Ayoze Perez, Youri Tielemans and possibly Cengiz Under.

Though a deficiency in options in the position highlights why Rodgers sought an attacking midfielder in January. Dennis Praet is another that may have helped by being fielded in centre-midfield to allow Tielemans’ advanced deployment. Papy Mendy and Hamza Choudhury as well as the latter feels far too defensive.

Although, one other player would’ve arguably been the replacement for the injured playmaker. Kelechi Iheanacho has played behind, or in support of, Jamie Vardy in Rodgers’ preferred system before. Not to mention the Nigerian having a great goal involvement record in the Europa. But he’s suspended after a questionable yellow card in the first leg.

Obviously Perez is unavailable too, which leaves one man to fill the void whilst also out-if-position, Cengiz Under. I’ll explain why he’s a better option centrally than Ricardo Pereira or Marc Albrighton, don’t worry. During his career, Under’s creativity on the wing often coincides with drifting infield to key pass, assist or score.

Ricardo would be best remaining on the right-wing in my opinion; while Albrighton being substitute works for LCFC at present. Leicester supporters want to see more of the Turk, for sure; a game where one of the most innovative attackers is absent seems perfect for an underused, or underperforming, loan signing to prosper. Hopefully.

Foxes of Leicester’s predicted line-up, beginning with the goalkeeper then going from right-to-left, is as follows:

Kasper Schmeichel; Timothy Castagne, Caglar Soyuncu, Jonny Evans, Luke Thomas; Wilfred Ndidi, Tielemans; Ricardo, Under, Harvey Barnes; Vardy.