When Marti Cifuentes arrived on Filbert Way during midsummer, the first task he would have undertaken was to analyse the squad on paper at Leicester City Football Club.
On paper, he would have recognised that ability is present at LCFC. Moreover, the Catalan boss would have spotted a few pivotal figures, as well as potential locker-room leaders among the squad.
Yet, nearly all of City’s prominent players have been outstanding for the wrong reasons at King Power Stadium and beyond this campaign.
A couple of experienced professionals have managed to cement their places in the starting XI; questionable players like Jannik Vestergaard are now the core and ‘top’ performers of this dull and unmotivated group.
Regrettably, that latter observation is not commendable for the Foxes as a club: it is a reflection of poor management at the highest rung for several years now. Not to mention being a harsh judgement of the East Midlands side’s dreadful recruitment during that spell.
Though we understand the disastrous handling of finances here and seemingly in Asia (where The King Power International Group earns its primary revenue) has influenced the calibre of footballer we bring in, unfortunately.
Cifuentes would certainly have earmarked three wide men at Leicester who could have propelled us back to the Premier League. Jeremy Monga, Abdul Fatawu and Stephy Mavididi are a talented trio.
However, none of them have lit up the league in this season. Monga can be excused since he’s a 16-year-old navigating his early career. And Fatawu shows flashes of brilliance at times. But what’s happened to Mavididi?!
What is happening with Stephy Mavididi as poor form continues to worsen for Leicester City? I always feel positive seeing Mavididi named in the starting lineup; even when he’s gone a whole campaign without a goal or assist. He seems a more sincere and likeable individual; someone you’d genuinely wish success for.
Many of us Foxes in the Blue Army actually anticipated Mavididi would make things happen in the Premier League as well. I wasn’t expecting prime Riyad Mahrez, but the current winger possesses the tools to trouble most backlines. Well, he did have that potential.
I’m unsure whether Mavididi has been dealing with niggling injuries in 2025/26, if his self-belief has plummeted or he’s facing personal hurdles. Still, the 27-year-old is a shadow of his former version. I’ll put it like this: don’t hand him a penalty to restore confidence, it would have the opposite effect.
Three genuinely poor, potentially decisive moments against Blackburn Rovers encapsulated the Derby-born player’s season on Saturday. I’ll let Leicester Mercury take it from here:
“Inside five minutes, Ricardo Pereira advanced down the right and crossed low to Mavididi at the back post, with his goalbound shot deflected over by Ryan Alebiosu.
“From the resulting corner, Jannik Vestergaard powered a header goalwards. Mavididi, stood in front of Blackburn goalkeeper Balazs Toth, made sure, only to be flagged for offside. Vestergaard fumed, knowing Mavididi had likely denied him and City a goal. Julian Carranza cleverly dummied and Mavididi had a chance to score from just a few yards out. But Toth dived heroically into the path of the shot and blocked it with his outstretched toes.” – [Jordan Blackwell, LCFC Live]