There have been many occasions over the past two seasons where Leicester City coach Brendan Rodgers have veered away from the preferred 4-1-4-1 that he applied in the majority of his first full year at the club.
That formation was originally chosen by Rodgers as it best suited the profiles of players he had at the club, it is very flexible in and out of possession – players can easily slip into a 4-4-2 when pressing or 4-2-3-1 when building up play–. However, the dynamic of the squad has changed slightly, and the issues City have had with finding consistent production from either flank especially the right-hand-side, could be solved by transitioning to a 3-5-2.
This permanent change in system would potentially unlock a whole new element of the attacking capabilities of the side’s full backs. It would allow James Justin and Ricardo Pereira to flourish in the area of their game in which they are most effective, going forward.
Two individuals who have both suffered from long term ACL injuries in recent times, but before those said injuries Pereira was in discussion with Trent Alexander-Arnold for title of the best right back in the Premier League. Whereas, before Justin’s similar long-term injury, he had established himself as one of the brightest young full backs in the country on the verge of an England call-up.
Both have shown flashes this last season of their previous bests, and most importantly did not sustain any further serious injuries after Ricardo had returned from his broken leg he suffered at Anfield in December. This extended length time fully fit – mostly – should be a major benefit for LCFC as there should in theory, be less wear and tear and a smaller chance of any new nagging ailments brought on through coming back into the side too soon. Something that Pereira has suffered with exponentially over the past few years.
So, giving these parameters that both stay healthy for the upcoming season at least, I will delve into why a change in system could be more effective than the current usual formation. Playing the 3-5-2 will allow the two fullbacks to access the wing back role and play much higher up the pitch when in possession. This for starters, is something that is not new for either player as “Ricardo” even played some games as a right winger under previous manager Claude Puel.
In the final third the Portuguese international can display his sharp turn of pace, his intricate and creative ability to beat defender’s one-on-one. His wonderful piece of trickery and then assist to Jamie Vardy on the opening day of season last year was a perfect example of this.
While Ricardo is sound enough technically to keep possession in tight spots. Which will certainly aid in building up from the back, something that LCFC do struggle with, when passing lanes to Youri Tielemans – the typical connector between the defence and forward line – are blocked. The 28-year-old racked up one goal and three assists in the 21/22 season and numbers should increase considerably if he were to assume this role.
On the other side you will have Justin who, being a natural right-footer can initiate less predictable balls in behind, by making runs from deep beyond and inside the opposition full-back with much more intent since he will not have to waste touches shifting the ball onto his favoured side. This kind of play will be constantly available if Justin is willing, due to the fact that when in a front two, Vardy will drift regularly into the left channel which will allow for Justin to make those dangerous diagonal runs in behind.
This of course give defenders more to think about than just Vardy making those kinds of runs. Also, with most likely Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall playing as the left-sided pivot in that team this would again create better rotations when in possession, since as the natural left-footer Dewsbury-Hall can transfer over to the left wing-back position and Justin can drift inside; something ‘JJ’ does naturally when playing as an inverted left-back.
Of course, without the ball this formation will naturally transfer into a 5-3-2. So just in sheer numbers, defensively wise – the most notable area in which the club must improve in – it should in theory, make a difference. Also, to implement this you must have two full-backs with an excellent engine, which is one thing I don’t anyone can question about Justin and Pereira. In essence they both have the exact profile of what you require to fill the role of a wing-back.
These two dynamic full-backs could be key in revitalising a side that seemed to have been found out many times to be quite predictable in possession last season, and discovered breaking down some sides particularly difficult. Much of the time relying on individual brilliance from players such as James Maddison to create goals out of nothing.
A more organic process when creating attacks next season could help produce a much better-quality of opportunities for the plethora of elite forwards the club has at its disposal, as well as solving some of the defensive issues that have plagued the side over the previous campaign.
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