Will Jonny Evans’ absence derail Leicester City’s season?

Jonny Evans has been a stalwart in Leicester City’s backline, regardless of other personnel. His injury could be what dashes our top four aspirations.

Leicester City’s ‘No.6’ – Jonny Evans – has been critical to the progression of the season. His calm style of defending and aerial prowess has protected the Foxes from a plethora of goals.

Brendan Rodgers will have been devastated to have not had him available for the Chelsea rematch, and then to know he will also be out for the last-ditch effort against Tottenham Hotspur, where the three points are a must have to get Champions League football.

Leicester City’s Evans is a big loss

The undeniable fact is that Jonny Evans is the King Power’s most important defender. Now, after suffering an ankle injury and playing through it slightly in the Emirates FA Cup Final, where he had to be substituted early, BBC Sport report that he is unlikely to be available for the end of the season.

Having played 28 Premier League games, getting two goals, two assists, and creating a big chance a game (credit to Sofascore), Jonny Evans is not just a defensive stalwart. His long balls and distribution from our defensive half have been fantastic all season.

Defensively, he has made 3.4 clearances per game according to Sofascore, on top of 1.6 interceptions and 0.9 tackles per game.

Brendan Rodgers has lost his leader at the back, calmly remaining goal side of his opposition, only making challenges when necessary.

How should Rodgers shape up without Evans?

In the previous matches, in the absence of Evans, Timothy Castagne – the highly promising fullback – has been thrusted onto the right side of our defence.

In doing so, Leicester have disrupted what made their back three work so well. Two ball-carriers and one calm no-nonsense centre-back.

The combination meant the Foxes could retain possession well, break high presses well, and initiate attacks with an additional man.

Wesley Fofana being shoved into the centre has been dangerous, as his tendency to drift out of position and make needless challenges leaves space and creates set-piece chances for the opposition. One of Chelsea’s second half goals – the penalty – comes directly from this fault.

On the final day of the season – Sunday – Leicester City have to win. This means they need a leader at the back, and a more all-round defender in the centre. There are two options.

First, Castagne moves to the left of a back three, Caglar Soyuncu – the leader – moves into the centre, and Wesley Fofana – the insane wonderkid – remains on his favoured right-side. This maintains the ball carriers, while allowing the experience of ‘Cags’ to be most beneficial.

And my preference: Christian Fuchs. Get that legend in the centre of a back three or the left of a back three. This means we can keep Castagne in his best position – right wing-back – and bring the experience of Fuchs into the side.

Protecting the clean sheet is the most important task, and Brendan Rodgers should trust in Christian Fuchs to deliver on this.