Leicester City came out triumphant against Tranmere Rovers in the EFL Cup. Here is how we rate the players and what happened during the tie.
The King Power club has seen some mighty changes in recent weeks, with an immense quantity of transfer business having been complete, more to come, and others to be sold. So, the EFL Cup is the place we often see coaches give their players the opportunity to shine, and better develop the system. This fixture against Tranmere was no different.
Enzo Maresca set the Foxes out in his contemporary ‘Marescaball’ system, with Polish goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk starting at the back, with starting places for Cesare Casadei, James Justin, Marc Albrighton, and Hamza Choudhury. However, it was not the starting XI which won the tie. That would be reserved for post-half time changes, with first teamers, a debut for Yunus Akgun, and the return of Wanya Marcal-Madivadua. Two goals in the second half sealed progression for Leicester.
Leicester City player ratings
Despite possessional domination, the first half was rather dreary, so my ratings reflect a lack of decisive quality to break a determined and compact defensive formation, although individual pieces of quality are commended. This being said, those who came off will be under-scored due to their lack of engagement beyond the halfway point.
Jakub Stolarczyk – 8
Three games played, three clean sheets. The Polish ‘keeper has been stellar for the King Power side, Maresca clearly trusts the goalie to be stylistically suited and decisions-wise competent enough to take up that role ahead of Daniel Iversen. This was evident during those times the home side did get chances on target, where Stolarczyk did not make any mistakes, looked composed and acrobatic, and when under pressure would pass intelligently. A good outing.
Callum Doyle – 7
Most of the more defensively-inclined players can be rated at about the same. We looked composed at the back, rarely troubled, and when we did it was either the English centre-back, our academy hero Choudhury, or the Belgian international Wout Faes who made the extra effort to avoid conceding chances.
Doyle himself made plenty of passes, worked well with Choudhury, Harry Winks, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and was an asset both defensively and progressively. Nothing to complain about, but not much to shout about.
Wout Faes – 7
I have nothing extra to add from the above. Leicester City were defensively well-organised, and Faes was clearly an immense part in doing so. The small number of chances our opposition had came from missed interceptions or mistakes from the Belgian, so it is clear how important he was to the system.
James Justin – 6
It was great to see the English fullback back in the side, although this time nothing to really write about. He looked progressive, aggressive, and was certainly a crucial link on the right-flank between defense and attack. However, Justin did not stand out this time around.
Hamza Choudhury – 8
It is no surprise I rate the English midfielder so highly. A defensive-minded juggernaut always prepared to chase lost causes and get challenges in. And yes, that is what we saw. Five interceptions, three tackles, and five out of seven ground duels won – that is our academy DM for you. He played a more progressive role in the tie, but was clearly more suited to pressing the opposition to try and regain possession for the side – similar to how Wilfred Ndidi operates high up the pitch.
Harry Winks – 7
I adore this signing. Neat passing, attempts at goal, a strong defensive acumen, pressing opposition players, and even being a commanding presence in the centre. Winksy was more of the same, but once again he did little to shout home about beyond what is now expected of the former Tottenham Hotspurs man. The Foxes should be very happy with his performance.
‘KDH’ – 7
A passionate soul that links up well with every other player, sets the tempo, and never gives up. This was again more of the expected Dewsbury-Hall we have come to love to see, and the player will certainly look to cement themselves as an undroppable talent for Maresca’s plans.
Casadei – 6
A few missed chances, a lot of promise, and creativity abound. That is how I would describe Casadei’s performance during the fixture. However, no goals or assists this time to talk about, and no major defensive contributions to note either. So, not bad, but not impressive.
Stephy Mavididi – 6
As with the Italian midfielder, the Englishman was well-involved, in the first half, but was unable to make anything happen. So, I cannot rate him lowly because he seldom made errors, but Mavididi cannot be rated well due to simply doing little of note this time.
Marc Albrighton – 7
The legendary Leicester City winger showed us his class once again. Although supporters often understand the player to be a one-trick pony when it comes to crossing, at least ‘Kevin’ looked creative, linked up well with Jamie Vardy, and did what was expected of him – as he always does.
Jamie Vardy – 8
Talking about legends. Another goal for the ‘GOAT’ of the Foxes, and another lacklustre level of involvement mixed with the superb explosive impact Vardy can have at times. The player was on the whole fixture, so was not involved much in reality, but when involved he looked as dangerous as ever.
The subs – 9
Ricardo Pereira, goalscorer Wilfred Ndidi, ever impressive Marcal-Madivadua, the explosive Akgun, and late show-up Benjamin Nelson changed the game when most of them came on at halftime. Pereira was progressive, dangerous, and a possessive juggernaut, where the Nigerian midfielder has really come into his own as a box-to-box progressive talent who can have a shot on goal. Akgun looked speedy and creative, although a little unprepared for the system he was asked to play in.