QPR vs Leicester: 2 Foxes stars Enzo Maresca should drop
It certainly is a great time to be a fan of Leicester City Football Club. The team have won 12 of their first 13 matches, a new Championship record. Boasting an impressive +20 goal difference, Enzo Maresca’s fearless Foxes have been bossing the second division, and have made many fans who suffered so much of last season have a new lease on life.
Next up for Leicester City is Queen’s Park Rangers at Loftus Road Stadium this Saturday. With QPR sitting dismally on eight points, and the amount of fixtures LCFC have had of recent, it may be a rare opportunity to rotate key players in the lineup who have been serving valiantly so far. In my opinion there are two specific players Maresca should drop.
These players have been mainstays in the lineup and seemingly the heartbeat of the team. One of them has started literally every game this season so far, and one has been integral to everything when he has played. The first and probably more controversial of the two players I would drop is Harry Winks.
Winks has been nothing short of incredible this season. He has been at the heart of everything good Leicester City have done offensively, as well as putting in some hard yards on the defensive side of the ball. He generally seems to be the “quarterback” of this team if you will; it seems to be his decision and his recognition that decide whether or not the team is working the ball quickly or methodically.
The reason he needs to be dropped is simple: self preservation. Winks is on four yellow cards currently. If he gets one this week, he will miss our game against Leeds United the following weekend. Given that Leeds is touted to be one of our main contenders for promotion, I rather him sit this week and not risk being out for that crucial game.
The second player is one no fan wants to see dropped but again, it’s the same reasoning as why Winks should be dropped. Of course, I’m talking about Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. He is also on four yellow cards, and would suffer the same fate as Winks if he were to receive another this weekend against QPR. I know it seems stupid, but these players really are that important.
‘KDH’ has been my player of the game in at least 70% if not 80% of my match ratings this season. While there are others who can play his position, I’m convinced there’s not another player in this squad that can replicate his performances; he’s simply too in form and talented. With Leeds now starting to come into their stride, we can’t afford to have players like Winks and KDH serving a ban because we want to stomp on QPR.
Given that this weekends opponents have been doing so poorly, it serves that two mindsets would prevail: we will roll over this team with extreme ease or this will be a banana peel we slip on. While I don’t rule out that the Rs could show up and give us a proper game, I’m leaning heavily on them not giving us a challenge. If this is what Enzo Maresca sees as well, he may indeed use this “easier” game to keep people fresh and pushing for places.
These 4 Leicester stars may seek respective transfers in January. dark. Next
What do you think? Should Maresca field his strongest lineup, and deal with the consequences later? Or be cautious and preserve our best talent for the trickiest games we have? Tweet or X me @lcfcopeds and let’s debate! Also, look out my article detailing my three best or worst players from Saturday’s game after the final whistle. Until next time, COYF!