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Leicester’s midfield dilemma solved for Newcastle match

Leicester City’s Ruud Van Nistelrooy has seen initial success at the King Power. For his first match away from home, the Dutchman is forced into a major change of plans. Here is what you need to know, and how to solve the big issue at our core.

By Elliot Mackness

Brentford FC v Leicester City FC - Premier League
Brentford FC v Leicester City FC - Premier League / Ryan Pierse/GettyImages
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Two matches under new management and the Foxes have acquired four points, with an outstanding victory and hard fought draw. Nistelrooy seems to have very quickly learnt which players he can trust, which to develop, and which to dump. The players have responded well.

However, ahead of his first away outing, ‘RVN’ will be limited in his team selection and forced to redesign the foundations which led to Leicester’s success in the last two fixtures. Wilfred Ndidi picked up an injury in the Brighton & Hove Albion tie, while Boubakary Soumare picked up a suspension for too many yellow cards.

Added to these losses, the King Power Club could still be without Harry Winks and will definitely be without Ricardo Pereira and Abdul Fatawu, both of which are out for the long term. These missing talents do takeaway from the recognisable first team squad. Nevertheless, the biggest issue is what is happening in midfield.

Leicester City’s midfield dilemma

The foundation of how Ruud Van Nistelrooy sets out Leicester City is a versatile 4-2-3-1 which becomes a sort of 4-4-2 in defence and which relies on a free-moving attacking midfielder to support progression and offer immense creativity. Just as critical is the role of the two deep-lying midfielders.

"On the ball, we want to play, so they need to be able to provide us the link between the back three towards the no.10s and the wingers. It’s quite a profile for an all-around player. One game you will use more of an no.8 profile than a no.6 profile"

- Ruud Van Nistelrooy

The Dutchman sees the two deeper midfielders as having two primary jobs. They must be progressive - able to carry or pass the ball well - and disruptive - able to press or ball-win well - depending on whether the team have the ball or not. Essentially, they must be able to play as a No. 6 in defence, and a No. 8 in possession. This role has been best filled by Soumare and Ndidi.

The pair of them love to tackle, carry the ball, can pass when needed, and also press opposition players brilliantly. This has made them the perfect partnership for that deep-lying midfield. The last two matches have seen them paired with Bilal El Khannouss as their creative core. That foundation is not available against at least Newcastle United.

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