This is Leicester City’s best starting XI available at present

Leicester City might have got half of their best assets back as we head towards a series of crunching fixtures that can determine the outcomes of this season.

We thought it would be interesting to look over at the best starting XI that is available to Brendan Rodgers at the moment. Yes, some names are bound to hand over their spots when the best-fitted players, who are absent from setbacks, return in due time. Also, for convenience, let’s stick to a 4-3-3 formation as we like it.

Leicester City’s Frontlines

The first name that pops right up is none other than Jamie Vardy. No one better than the veteran leading the offensive spike to penetrate the opposition’s strongholds. Many of us might have forgotten how much threat the English striker provides whenever he relishes the striker’s duty. The injury that put him out for the past few months- was indeed a testament to Leicester City’s struggles in missing their best player.

For the wingers, we have to pick Harvey Barnes on the left. After an unimpressive slow start, we missed the excelling progression from last season. Since returning from his injury at the beginning of the season, he has been immature in many games. The 24-year-old has what it takes to be one of the best wingers of this league, but a little bit of selfishness is hurting his chances. The overly used cut-in maneuvers from the left side to get into the box will only help him sometimes.

By that, we don’t mean he isn’t a credible asset and one of our regular goal-getters. There is none better to link up with the midfielders, in the final third, than Barnes. But he needs to add diversity to his game and become a better version of himself.

Ademola Lookman must be on the right. Yes, that’s not a position that the left-winger would be content with, but it’s the best we have got. Lookman was a surprising pick that turned heads. He was good at Fulham but became an outright utility in his second loan spell. In 28 games thus far, he has scored six times and assisted twice. He has played in positions to act as a stop-gap and has over-delivered at times.

Occasionally, filling in for Barnes wouldn’t hurt as Rodgers will fancy having options at his disposal, especially with a poor injury record as ourselves. There is no doubt that until we find the worthy right-winger, Lookman will do just fine.

Leicester City’s midfield control

The midfield needs three players. The first should possess an attacking threat and has a fine read of the game. The second needs to have a higher IQ to intercept and orchestrate plays. The third player should be sound and solid defensively. Three such players form the middle for the Foxes. It was hard to pick out the players, but considering our favorite Belgian – Youri Tielemans – will most probably leave at the end of this season, we went ahead with the triad of James Maddison, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Wilfred Ndidi.

Maddison has reignited his form and has emerged as one of the best English midfielders in the league. He has struggled a lot, in recent times, due to his reoccurring hip issues. It’s good to see him flourishing now. The AMF has added new intricate moves that make everything about him look simple- yet efficient. He has attributed to 12 goals and seven assists for his side.

A loan spell improved Dewsbury-Hall in a lot of areas. From being well versed in several key midfield positions- the Academy graduate has a keen eye for making vital passes. He is young, and his rapid development is just an indication of things to come. Though Ndidi didn’t perform as splendidly as he did in the earlier seasons, he is still a solid DMF in the back, efficient enough to provide cover and nullify threats.

The club’s fragile underbelly- Defense

The defensive backline is the cause of concern for the East Midlanders’ delicate underbelly of issues. With the injuries of Jonny Evans and Wesley Fofana, the backline has been left depleted and unorganized for the most part. Still, we have to do with what we have. The CB pairing of Çağlar Söyüncü and Daniel Amartey is the best we have because the other options are just unreliable. For wingbacks, we think Ricardo Pereira and Luke Thomas are our ideal options for the job. If Ricardo is available.

We cannot pretend that our defense is shabby and deserves every bit of harsh criticism for letting us down without any credible solutions to their prolonged problems. Injuries aside, there is not much to say about the defensive displays shown repeatedly this season. Finally, Kasper Schmeichel, as always, retains his position as the first-choice keeper and the club captain.