New Leicester City signing must step up in leader’s absence

The task at hand for Leicester City’s manager Brendan Rodgers is to salvage the maximum possible points while dealing with the fragility in their backline.

The injury concerns pile up yet again for the Foxes at the start of a new Premier League season as they look to crack the top four ceiling for the third consecutive time. The tagging concern for Rodgers’ side has been the absence of Jonny Evans‘ backline leadership.

The Northern Irishman has been struggling with a foot problem of plantar fasciitis- that he picked up during a prematch training in May. Since then, the injury has managed to sideline Evans on several occasions.

The recent update from Leicester City’s camp is that the 33-year-old could be returning after the International break, which begins in September. Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough will have to name his squad for the triple-header without the Foxes’ centre-back.

Introduction to Leicester City (with a huge responsibility)

Due to the injuries to both the starting CBs of Wesley Fofana and Jonny Evans, Leicester City urgently landed in the services of the big Dane from Southampton. Jannik Vestergaard possibly couldn’t comprehend the enormous expectations which will be demanding for him on the get-go.

The two immediate fixtures, in particular, would require a solid defensive duty from City’s newest acquisition alongside the Turkish mercenary Çağlar Söyüncü. The target for Rodgers’ men is simple. They need to avoid any defensive slip-ups that can usurp their chances of points collection.

There have been a few crucial aspects of Vestergaard’s style. While he impresses on being the tallest giant, which provides an everlasting aerial threat, the same attributable factor hurts several other critical aspects such as speed and awareness.

He has to improve on those parts if he wants to be featured as a regular choice here in East Midlands. Sure he will get plenty of chances as long as Fofana isn’t there to compete, but it won’t be easy to improvise rectifying his cons on such short notice.

Of course, the backline should be strengthening with the added option of Evans is available to the King Power Club once more, but till then, Vestergaard should perform better than just a makeshift replacement.