Leicester City have impressed in recent weeks with better form. The Foxes have a good side, but there is plenty of contention on the team. Here is my XI.
Brendan Rodgers has stumbled across one of the best teams he has yet to assemble: despite all the initial problems, things have really turned around. I strongly feel the personnel in the side has made a difference. So, using data collated from SofaScore and FB Ref, I shall go through each position in the trusted 4-3-3 formation and select the best current player whilst ignoring injuries.
Leicester City’s best defence
A backline consisting of a goalkeeper, two centre-backs, and two fullbacks. Some of these positions should be obvious, but stating the obvious is never a bad thing. For example, Danny Ward has established himself amongst the top.
The Welsh ‘goalie’ has achieved six clean sheets, equalling the best ‘keepers in the league. All of that extra gained in recent matches as well. The Foxes No.1 has improved immeasurably and deserves to be the starting goalkeeper.
At the back, there has been contention as to whether Jonny Evans is ‘the best’. At this moment in time, it is clear to see the benefits of the Northern Irishman: in his defence, we have seen composure, strength, and considered challenges for years.
According to ratings, Daniel Amartey and Wout Faes have been our two best defenders – coinciding with our improved form – with Caglar Soyuncu the next on ratings alone. Evans has been unlucky to be involved in poor results and injury.
Amartey has also surprisingly been a revelation at progressing the ball. He is in the 58th percentile for dribbles completed, as well as 94th for passes completed, and 77th for passes attempted. These figures are great, and stylistically similar to Victor Lindelof. Although not prolific, the Ghanian international has been solid, progressive, and useful.
Meanwhile, Faes is non-negotiable. Since joining Leicester City, the Belgian international has been superb: a 7.10 average Sofascore rating. In the 83rd percentile for clearances, 76th for blocks, and 72nd for progressive passes received, Faes is the initial linkup and the disruptive defender we have needed.
As before, there is little negotiation about fullbacks. Timothy Castagne and currently injured James Justin. The Belgian right-back has been on fire for the Foxes, with blocks, clearances, aerial duels, progressive passing, and goal creation. The English left-back has been less impressive on the attack, but remains our best defensive fullback even comparing to Castagne.
A scary midfield
As with the backline, the options for a more defensive/progressive midfielder, a progressive/box-to-box midfielder, and a more creative midfielder are not particularly large. One would not be including Papy Mendy or the seldom used Dennis Praet.
In that more defence-minded position, Boubakary Soumare has overtaken Wilfred Ndidi. Due to improved possession-retention and neater passing, the Frenchman offers more options during fixtures than the defensive juggernaut of Ndidi.
To back this up, ‘Bouba’ is in the 89th percentile for aerials won, 88th for tackles, 79th for completed passes, making 2.7 tackles per game. On top of a 60% dribbling success rate, this makes our French midfielder truly a strong and integral talent.
None of that would matter without the box-to-box progressor: Youri Tielemans. From ‘worldie’ goals to consistent performances, despite all the fanfare of transfers and the slow but sure withdrawal of the Belgian from Leicester, Tielemans remains the best midfielder at the club. A 7.21 Sofascore rating, only beneath James Maddison.
It is also worth noting that Tielemans has added defending to his game: the figures now have the Belgian in the 87th percentile for tackling and 83rd for blocks. From the progressor to the last man, there is no mistaking his place in the best XI.
Finally, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall takes up his place next to the French and Belgian midfielders. The English midfielder brings passion, creativity, and a pressing aggression worthy of a local lad with genuine quality. It is a mystery Connor Gallagher got in the England squad over ‘KDH’.
82nd percentile for shot-creating actions, 86th for progressive passing, 78th for dribbles completed, and an xA in the 77th percentile. Clearly, the midfielder links up well with Harvey Barnes, James Maddison, Patson Daka, and Jamie Vardy, offering a more fluid and interesting final third. He is essential.
Up front
These three have already been mentioned. Barnes, Daka, and ‘Madders’. There is only one point of contention: arguably, Vardy has been more impactful than Daka. However, Vardy has been less clinical in prior weeks, so might have lost some faith from the manager.
Nevertheless, the King Power club should continue to use Daka, as the youthfulness offers a developmental capacity and integrating the Zambian forward as one of the integral players is a futureproofing point. Furthermore, although the striker has misses a few big chances, he has collected a couple of assists on top of three goals.