Leicester City: the real reason Ricardo was substituted

Leicester City’s latest performance against Burnley did nothing to ease the nerves of supporters. The Foxes have endured a mixed start to the season, with many feeling that three points was a must; however, City could only claim one.

It is points dropped, but LCFC were fortunate to even get one point out of the 2-2 draw against their Lancashire opponents. The performance highlighted several key issues that have been for all to see of late – the biggest being the defence.

As a back line, having a starting line-up of Bertrand, Vestergaard, Soyuncu and Ricardo is a solid choice. But they are playing as individuals, there is no joint solidity or communication there. Is Evans the missing link? Is Fofana’s absence an even bigger gap than first realised?

The backline was rightfully punished on Saturday for their lack of cohesion and confidence, with the Foxes trailing 2-1 at the break. Brendan Rodgers knew he had to make changes, and Ricardo was the first victim of this.

Rodgers on Ricardo’s substitution

As the players emerged from the dressing room after half time, it was a surprise to a few fans to see Timothy Castagne play on the right hand-side of defence, and not to see Ricardo walk out. Perhaps, because of Ricardo’s recent injury problems, there was worry that he had tweaked something. However, speaking in the Leicester Mercury, when asked about the early change, Rodgers answered:

"“It was tactics. We needed to defend better on that side of the pitch.”-Brendan Rodgers"

The substitution makes sense, especially when Castagne is the option to bring on. We’ve seen that he is perhaps more defensively sound than Ricardo, who prefers to bomb down that right flank.

In the opening three games of the season, Ricardo provided two fantastic assists for Jamie Vardy, prompting praise and relief from fans that Ricardo was finally back to his best. However, perhaps we are still seeing Ricardo grow back into his role as a defender.

Right now, Leicester need solidity in their back line, unfortunately Leicester’s No.21 just wasn’t providing that on Saturday.

What next for Ricardo at Leicester City?

This is a mere blip in form for Ricardo rather than a complete disaster, and perhaps Thursday’s Europa League tie away to Polish outfit Legia Warsaw offers the chance for Pereira to build up some more minutes and improve on his current form.

Alternatively, Rodgers may choose to play Castagne to get some more minutes into him with a view to the tie against Crystal Palace on Sunday. Either way, there is some serious competition at right back for the Foxes, and hopefully that competition will only spur Ricardo and Castagne on. Right now, Leicester need a solid defence, it is up to Ricardo to prove that he can offer just that.