Unless an exceptional manager has assembled an almost perfect starting lineup with limitless resources and minimal injuries, they must adapt and think creatively. Leicester City Football Club will never enjoy the privileges Pep Guardiola possesses at Manchester City.
Nor do the King Power side have the progressive structure of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, or that of Arsène Wenger’s iconic teams at Highbury and the Emirates Stadium.
As a result, nearly every football team in history is in a constant state of development — a work in progress, perpetually unfinished.
That’s undoubtedly true for the current Foxes squad. Under new head coach Marti Cifuentes, the lineup once again looks transformed. However, the Catalan tactician was granted virtually no funds to strengthen his squad.
Still, a handful of (actually rather solid and unexpected) loan deals and one free signing provided Cifuentes with just enough to build and move forward.
Youth promotion was expected at LCFC, though only a few academy players truly made the jump to the senior team. Alongside that, the 43-year-old has also leaned on several underperforming or previously overlooked City players.
In fact, a few footballers Leicester supporters had hoped wouldn’t feature again could end up forming the backbone of Cifuentes’ latest setup.
Formerly unwanted Foxes could form base of next Leicester City lineup:
We’ve already established that a developing squad is rarely complete. That reality opens doors for players who were once undervalued or sparingly used. Bobby De Cordova-Reid fits that profile perfectly.
The ex-Fulham man now seems set to play as the No.10 for multiple reasons: Aaron Ramsey’s absence, his strong recent displays, and the chance to push the outstanding Jordan James into the No.8 role.
If Ben Nelson and/or Caleb Okoli are sidelined through injury, the less preferred Wout Faes or Luke Thomas are likely to step in. Should Thomas falter once again, the equally unconvincing Victor Kristiansen could get the nod.
We might also witness the ongoing and debatable ‘resurgence’ of Jannik Vestergaard. Meanwhile, Patson Daka — who is closing in on a year without scoring for club or country — appears set to start, backed by intriguing underlying stats:
“Patson Daka has not scored for Leicester City in 38 games, a run that goes back to December last year, but that doesn’t mean he’s not the club’s most effective forward… But the paradox at City is that, despite the above [failure to covert chances over the period], Daka may well be their best striker.
“He’s quicker and more energetic than Jordan Ayew and Julian Carranza and so is able to press more effectively, flustering opposition defenders and goalkeepers. That not only wins possession back for City, but pushes them up the pitch.
“His movement and runs into the box also create space for those behind him”
[Jordan Blackwell, Leicester Mercury]