Foxes of Leicester
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Leicester 2-1 Palace: What 3 things did FoL learn?

By Dominic Wells

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Leicester City tangles with Jordan Ayew and Nathaniel Clyne of Crystal Palace (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Leicester City tangles with Jordan Ayew and Nathaniel Clyne of Crystal Palace (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /
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Patson Daka of Leicester City and Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images) /

Patson Daka is a relentless pressing machine for Leicester City

For a period of time, Patson Daka was the solution to Jamie Vardy’s absence. The similarity in the two players’ profiles ensured that Leicester City could set up in an identical fashion despite losing their talisman. However, in recent weeks this has shifted, Kelechi Iheanacho has taken the starting spot, his deep-lying connecting player (for a forward) was getting the best out of Harvey Barnes, thus rewarding the Nigerian with a starting position.

For the game against Crystal Palace, Daka reclaimed the single forward role from the get-go. This is perhaps a nod to the fixture on Thursday evening, as Iheanacho could be rested to ensure he’s feeling fresh for the away trip to Eindhoven. Nevertheless, Daka’s energy in the defensive 4–4–2 shape was wonderful, aided by the aforementioned Dewsbury-Hall, the front-two caused Vieira’s defence a lot of problems.

The difference between Iheanacho and Daka is fairly broad, they favour opposing attacking movements — Daka on the shoulder versus Iheanacho’s dropping into the pockets, the Zambian is incredibly quick across the ground, whereas Iheanacho is more of the Premier League average. The addition of pace meant that Daka’s initiations were often rewarded due to how quickly he closed the spaces for Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi, unsettling the Crystal Palace backline.

There was clear support of Daka’s initiations from the rest of the Foxes setup, confident that his willingness to reclaim possession could often be successful, the midfield and defensive line pushed forward squeezing the pitch. Iheanacho’s pressing style is more about splitting the centre-backs and recognising moments to pounce, therefore, Brendan Rodgers will often implement a “block” behind Iheanacho, instead of forcing a high press. The goals at the weekend are a direct advocate of the effectiveness of the Leicester City press — when the correct profiles are present.