In the high-stakes vacuum of a relegation scrap, interim manager Andy King has opted for the weathered reliability of Asmir Begovic over the erratic potential of Jakub Stolarczyk. The decision taken versus Birmingham City, as detailed by Leicester Mercury, follows a decline in form for the Polish stopper. Recently, he has looked a shadow of the able 'keeper seen earlier in the campaign and for some of last season.
Stolarczyk's game has become riddled with the exact brand of insecurity that petrifies a backline: he regularly appears increasingly timid during set-pieces, looking visibly shaken on corners and often bullied by physical opponents. The technical breakdown has been equally concerning.
After replacing Mads Hermansen following the Dane's switch to East London with West Ham, Stolarczyk's confidence has very steadily evaporated. This alteration lead to a string of errors including weak parries into central danger zones and an uncharacteristic sloppiness with his feet.
Will Leicester City No.1 Jakub Stolarczyk return to the starting lineup?
King's move to start Begovic against the Blues was a calculated attempt to inject a veteran nature and leadership into an XI he deemed too young following recent in-game collapses. By prioritising a goalie who occasionally commands his box, the LCFC legend is aiming for the clean sheets that have eluded the Foxes for months.
"Bego comes in with his experience. I thought we were really young against Charlton, looking back. We had Bade, we had Ben, we had Louis (Page), we had Jak who is in first full season as well. With Bego, he gives us more experience in the team."Andy King - LCFC Live
​However, journalist Jordan Blackwell suggests this is not necessarily a permanent exile. While King felt compelled to 'change things to arrest a downward spiral', the reporter implies that Stolarczyk could still return to the fold once he recovers his mental composure.
The manager’s gamble on experience is a short-term fix for a team in crisis. But the long-term future of the Leicester goal remains an open question if the young Pole cannot rediscover his previous steel. Talk of Mads Hermansen eventually returning is also currently prevalent.