3 Leicester players who should start against Hull

After making it six wins out of six in competitions for the first time ever in Leicester City’s history, the East Midlands club welcome Hull City to the King Power for Saturday’s Championship tie. So far City have made difficult work of all four of their league games, winning all four with goals after the 70th minute. It is understandable to still see LCFC seemingly coming to grips with the new Enzo Maresca system, as well having a less than helpful preseason schedule. But with the transfer window at it’s end, it is likely that Maresca will know his preferred line-up very soon. Here are three players that Foxes of Leicester think should start in this weekend’s game.

James Justin of Leicester City

Despite leaving the field late in the Carabao Cup fixture in the week, Justin was seen on the field after the game applauding the fans and moving seemingly ok. If he is fit, he gives Leicester significantly more flexibility in their back-line. Justin will most likely play as the right-sided centre-back in possession and as a conventional right-back out of possession. One thing defensively Justin offers, is a somewhat of a “get out of jail” card. His outstanding recovery pace mixed with size and athleticism means Ricardo Pereira and Harry Winks are less exposed in the Foxes’ rest defence. This has been the main area of concern for Maresca’s side in their beginning stages of the campaign. It is a great counter to other teams counter-attacks.

Having Justin fill this role also allows Wout Faes to move over to the central centre-back spot i.e Jannick Vestergaard’s spot. Vestergaard has shown spells within his distribution in that role has been efficient, however, it has not been good enough to where it over states his lack of mobility. This lack of mobility means the Dane has to drop deeper than the defensive line would ideally want to and creates too much of a scrambled back three in transition. Faes has the capability of filling this role much better, despite not having the passing range of others.

Kasey McAteer

Had you asked me this question before last weekend I would likely not have had McAteer on this list – especially with the new signings having now come in -. But the young winger’s man of the match performance last Saturday has given him every right to be demanding a starting place for this weeks contest. The difference in quality of nearly everything he did against Rotherham was staggering. His turn of pace he showed numerous times to beat his full-back. His positional play in possession was excellent, especially for his second goal.

It shows that the starlet is clearly grasping what Maresca is instructing for his wide-players. A position that has always been massively important in a Pep Guardiola side. These are the types of players that should be starting every week because once the entire squad have this level of understanding of the system, you will certainly see a different Leicester City side. One that will be blowing the opposition away more times than not.

Cesare Casadei

The 20-year-old is yet to make a start in the Championship with both his appearances coming off the bench including his debut where he scored a last minute winner at home to Cardiff City. What he provides unlike someone such as Wilfred Ndidi – despite what the Nigerian’s two goals in the Carabao cup would suggest – is an efficient box threat from the right-sided number eight. His goal on debut was a casing example of this, although on face it seems as a simple somewhat fortuitous finish. But his instinct to be in the right place at the right time should only get better. Coupled with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s ability in the final third it would make Leicester’s midfield even more formidable.