Leicester City’s midfield options after signing Boubakary Soumare

The playmaking force

Leicester City have one of the best playmakers in the Premier League in their roster. His name is James Maddison. From eight goals and five assist to his creative dribbling and ball retention. This is the man we want in midfield.

Alongside him, the Foxes can deploy the penetrative Dennis Praet and calm Ayoze Perez. They bring different options to the table.

Praet is not as creative as Maddison or Perez, but put him against a low-block and in his natural role, and you will see what we saw at the beginning of the 20/21 season. He penetrates defences by working with wingers to create opportunities for others.

Perez on the other hand has bundles of creativity, but lacks the penetration or potency to score from the positions he gets into. He is a player best in the centre and used to get others involved.

Do not forget that these three have all been used and all performed well when they have played in their roles in a system they understand. Maddison was a goal scorer from the half spaces. Praet the penetrator, and Perez the calm orchestrator.

How they will shape up

Leicester City will choose between a return to the 4-3-3 or maintaining the 3-4-1-2. In the first, they can make use of the traditional: Ndidi, Tielemans, and Maddison. With Mendy, Soumare, and Praet offering the best rotational option.

In the latter, Tielemans and Soumare are paired together, with Praet ahead of them. They will need to link up with Patson Daka and Jamie Vardy as wide strikers. Rotational options would be Choudhury and ‘KDH’ with Perez ahead of them. This midfield is seriously scary for next season’s opponents. Bar any sales which might happen.