Brendan Rodgers has tried plenty of formations for Leicester City, with a team yet to be refreshed, here is how we should line up in the 2022/23 season.
A lot has changed since the first Rodgers’ side. On the 26th of February 2019 Leicester City appointed the Northern Irishman who would watch his side from the stands. Though he did not select the team, the Foxes did win 2-1 against Brighton & Hove Albion.
As such, we are going to look through what the King Power’s past can tell us about what is coming, and why Leicester should return to Rodgers’ favoured formation.
Brendan Rodgers’ first Leicester City side
His first team selection was against Watford 03/03/19. A back three of Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, and Wes Morgan. Ricardo Pereira and Ben Chilwell as wingbacks. A midfield of Youri Tielemans, James Maddison, and Harvey Barnes. Of course, Jamie Vardy led the line.
This formation would immediately change and become settled in the next fixture. A familiar 4-3-3 with Wilfred Ndidi as a holding midfielder, the ‘Starman’ working to progress the ball, and ‘Madders’ there to create everything.
For a while, the formation remained steadfast in all but seldom challenges against Manchester City and Liverpool. A 4-1-4-1 was preferred. Ndidi stood alone as a ball-winner and shield for the backline; meanwhile, every other midfielder was thrusted forward to create and score.
The gaffer’s first Leicester team was progressive, aggressive, imposing, and each player was perfectly suited to their roles. Though this would alter with Caglar Soyuncu’s advent and occasional injuries to key players like Madders.
This formation only changed at the death of the 2019/20 season: the 4-1 devastation to AFC Bournemouth and our first bottle of the UEFA Champions League places. This was the start of a back three formation.
The dynamic Foxes
The 20/21 Premier League season began as expected. Rodgers returned the King Power club to the 4-1-4-1 shape. However, this would quickly change as UEFA Europa League matches came fast. A back three, one striker, and six midfield players.
This pivot was highly successful bar the odd result. With Evans, Wesley Fofana, and occasionally a Christian Fuchs cameo, the side conceded less, but also created less. Vardy had many less chances to score.
Another formational pivot set out our stall for the rest of the gaffer’s tenure. A 4-2-3-1 often shifting into a 4-1-4-1 when in possession and a 4-4-2 when out of control and in defence. Dynamic and incessantly shifting, this pivot gave stability. However, nearer the end of the season a back three with two forwards returned as we slowly bottled another UCL spot.
This dynamic formation remained during the 21/22 season. A 4-2-3-1 constantly shifting. However, due to a variety of factors the team performed significantly worse than in previous seasons.
So, how should Leicester line up?
The King Power club have a strong crop of fullbacks, star midfielders, and a couple devastating forwards. Any formation chosen must integrate these focal points. Luckily, it should be easy to do so, as Rodgers has already done it before.
A back three, a midfield five, and two forwards. One of those back three must be a fullback such as James Justin or Ricardo Pereira who can be trusted as strong defenders and progressive from defence. Timothy Castagne must be one of those wingbacks.
The midfield should also include a ball-winner, a progressor, and a creator. Ahead of them, a forward who rushes forward, and one who acts as a target man. It is clear this will take advantage of our strengths and allow dynamism.
This may start as a 3-4-1-2 but could easily adapt mid match into a 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 with the right players on-pitch or the right subs. I think this would give us stability at the back and offer more of our star players a chance to play.