Leicester City signed Ryan Bertrand and Jannik Vestergaard from Southampton, and many supporters have been bemused. Here is what Brendan Rodgers thinks.
After joining the club in the summer, Bertrand and Vestergaard have started plenty of our opening seven Premier League matches and featured in the Europa League and domestic cups.
There are two prevailing opinions in the Foxes‘ supporter base regarding these players. Firstly, bemusement at their poor form after decent starts. Secondly, a wish to give them more game time to adapt to our play style.
Here, I want to firstly go over what Rodgers thinks about these two signings, and then I will use stats the facts to defend the signings and argue for them to be involved against Manchester United.
Leicester City boss comments frustrate
The King Power gaffer is known for his calm and long-term view on things, rarely being drawn into controversial commentary on matches or players. So, you can expect more of the same over the signings.
As per LeicestershireLive, Rodgers is not concerned with Vestergaard’s poor form – not publicly at least. This could in fact be due to Vest’s form not being all that bad. Nevertheless, Rodgers’ comments are interesting.
"“If you look at where he’s come from, a team that presses the game, that is high up the pitch. He’s had to do that. He’s played in a national team that will press the game”"
The Danish defender has been involved in a high-pressing game all his playing career. Though a high press does not suit his profile (slower but stronger), it is what he is used to and what he has been brought in to do.
"“He can defend space, he’s not one that has to stay behind really deep, and then play out. He can build the game from behind”"
Vestergaard is different to Wesley Fofana and Caglar Soyuncu, and Rodgers did try to sign the player in the previous summer transfer window. The ex-Southampton man can play higher up and control space while not needing to sprint around like Fofana does.
In essence, the gaffer is not concerned about what appears to supporters as poor form. The Danish international defender fits the profile of how we want a defender to play, while also being versatile enough to sit back if needed. Vestergaard will adapt and eventually come very good.
The facts about Vestergaard
Using data I have been collating from Sofascore after every Premier League match, I have a few comments to make about our summer signing.
The first point supporters should be aware of is the excessive strain our defensive line has been placed under in the previous outings. Both Vestergaard and Soyuncu have been heavily involved in matches, with tackles and clearances skyrocketing unlike last season.
To evidence this point, the accumulated number of tackles per game the Danish defender has put in has already reached 10 and the clearances has reach 25. Those numbers are too high. They reflect an issue in the system.
Leicester City are struggling to prevent opposition attacks, including those which are going through midfield or completely ignoring our midfield with a direct ball through or over. Think of the 4-1 thrashing at the hands of West Ham United.
He has also made three successful dribbles. He has been trying to progress the ball out of defence himself, as the midfield has failed to form the progressive core of our game since the Manchester City Community Shield match.
In comparison, even James Maddison only has two successful dribbles. However, most of his attempts to progress the ball through dribbling have led him into a defensive first line, and then he just passes it back to Soyuncu, who then progresses the ball with a direct pass.
Leicester City’s summer signing Vestergaard has actually performed fairly well, just as Soyuncu has, but has been put under a lot of strain, and mistakes are inevitable when you are having to progress, defend, and pass. The midfield and wings need to take some of the responsibility off their shoulders.