Leicester City 1-0 Leeds United: 3 things learned from back-to-back wins

If James Maddison isn’t available, Kelechi Iheanacho could, or maybe should be the answer

After dazzling in his brief cameo at Turf Moor, I anticipated James Maddison would be included in Rodgers’ starting XI for the game against Leeds United, but an unfortunate back injury — hopefully just a minor one — removed his inclusion from the squad altogether.

In his place, it was the flat-midfield three that’s already been mentioned. What Maddison does, and is something I spoke at length about in my previous article, is provide staggering through the pitch to help aid verticality. His natural positioning as the attacking-midfielder (or known as the #10) enables easier transitions as the double pivot have a simple pass through the thirds to find Maddison. Without him, the Foxes had to either remove one of the central-midfielders and let them push into an advanced position and then connect play with them, or simply trust the wingers to facilitate progression.

However, my suggestion is utilising Kelechi Iheanacho in that staggering role himself. It’s not a coincidence that as soon as the Nigerian finds himself on the pitch, he connects play with Harvey Barnes and Leicester City find the opening goal away at Burnley. He’s a master of dictating play between the lines, a good manipulator of those kinds of spaces, and ultimately helps the Foxes achieve staggering through the pitch.