Timothy Castagne, Leicester City statistics
Appearances total: – 34/ Premier League –27 / FA Cup – 5 / Europa League – 2 / EFL Cup – 0
Goals total: – 2
Moment to savour: – A headed goal on his debut
Moment to forget: – The horrific injury at Euro 2020 that could curtail his return in the season
A year ago the news that Ben Chilwell was leaving for Chelsea left a big gaping left-back hole in the Leicester squad. The signing of Atalanta’s Timothy Castagne for half the price was seen as a positive step towards filling that hole, but Castagne’s strength has far reached one simple position or even that one in particular.
Today’s full-backs are the modern-day football superstars with their duties both defensive and attacking holding the tactical key to unlocking results. Castagne fits the modern-day needs perfectly, constantly probing his way up and down the flanks as the flow of the game requires.
With available full-backs causing Brendan Rodgers a headache for his team’s opening game at West Brom it seemed inevitable that new signing Timothy Castagne would play some part, what surprised many is how he ended up instead slotting into the right-back slot so efficiently whilst James Justin continued on the left. He demonstrated this expertly by latching onto a cross from Belgian compadre Dennis Praet to score a header on his debut and send Leicester City on their way to victory.
He was in the mix again the following week, laying on a goal for Harvey Barnes and forcing an own goal. Then, at the stunning Manchester City away win he played a crucial role in the second goal by linking up the attack and setting up Jamie Vardy for a delightfully cheeky finish. The consistency of the role would start to adapt from here. Rodgers started to favour a three at the back with Castagne being pushed further forward which bizarrely seemed to nullify his attacking threat. This was especially more noticeable when teams took the lead and were looking to sit on their advantage by closing down space.
Then in late October, our old-friend ‘injury’ took Castagne out. A thigh muscle strain ruled him out for 13 games before his return just before Christmas. Bizarrely his first game back at Spurs was at right-back where he lasted an hour and helped to keep out a strong attacking presence, but soon enough he was back at his left-back slot. It’s also worth noting that he will regularly be switched with his full-back/wide teammate (normally James Justin) during the game if Rodgers feels that he wants to test opposing wide players or even halt their threats.
Castagne has also occasionally been drafted into the centre back positions due to injuries and a lack of centre back options. This didn’t go so well when he was brought into the right side of a back three against Newcastle where he was caught out of position on several occasions.
The versatile Castagne continued to do whatever was asked of him in a successful but trying season for the Foxes players. What was most welcome but also quite awkward is how Ricardo Pereira was integrated back into the team following his long-term injury. Sometimes he would play further up the field in a more advanced role whilst Castagne would sit deeper in his right-back spot.
Bizarrely, away at Brighton, Castagne was played in left-midfield whilst Ricardo played on the right. This became less of a problem as the season drew to a close as Ricardo seemed to be deployed far less with Rodgers potentially advised to protect his Portuguese star in preparation for some rest in the summer.
Going forward who plays on the right and who plays on the left is a source for much debate. It would seem that the best right-sided full-backs and wing-backs are Ricardo and Castagne. Before Ricardo’s injury, he was arguably one of the best right-backs in the league but at present, he may sit behind Castagne. However, in today’s world of footballing versatility having plenty of options on the flanks will only be a good thing, particularly with Leicester’s luck with injuries of late. Castagne’s talents are more than needed as Leicester head into another potentially difficult season.
Rating 8/10
Chances of leaving: 0%
The Future: Another season of versatility as Leicester attack four competitions