'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The 2018-19 Premier League season has brought mixed results for Leicester City as Claude Puel’s side are in 8th position with 28 points. After an impressive run in the 2015-16 season when the Foxes won the Premier League title for the first time, Leicester City haven’t been able to replicate the same performances.
The team enjoyed a great run under Claudio Ranieri during that season. Leicester City will be aiming to finish in the top eight at the end of the ongoing season, which would enable them to qualify for the Europa League. In the 2017-18 season, the Foxes finished in 9th position, with Puel hoping the side puts on a decent show in the upcoming matches.
Leicester City won their Premier League game against Chelsea on 22nd December with a 1-0 scoreline which might act as a morale booster for the side. The Foxes have looked an improved side as far as their defence is concerned but still, they need to improve in certain areas when playing against sides who are quick on the counter.
Claude Puel will be banking on some of his experienced players to play a crucial role when it comes to playing against some of the bigger clubs which could enable the younger players of the squad to grow.
In their game against Chelsea, Leicester City looked a completely different side, dominating every department. They need to continue with the same kind of momentum to keep their hopes alive of finishing in the top eight of the Premier League table.
It will be up to the players to keep themselves motivated to be on par with some of the best teams. Their 2-1 win against Manchester City on 26th December showed that their midfield is capable of delivering many such cohesive performances.
Leicester are showing signs of recovery and at the moment are looking in decent shape after their last two wins. Leicester City lost against Cardiff City with a 0-1 scoreline yesterday, but the management has expressed confidence that the team will perform better in the upcoming games.
The manager and the team management needs to devise a game plan that could make the team look sharper in the midfield. However, there are players who have looked impressive for the foxes in the ongoing season and can play a crucial role in the upcoming matches too.
We take a look at 5 such players who have impressed the most in the current season so far:
#1 Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy has been a guiding force in Leicester City’s forward line. The 31-year-old played a crucial role for the foxes in the 2015-16 Premier League season when they won the Premier League.
The striker formed an effective partnership with Riyad Mahrez during that season. In the ongoing season, the former England international has scored 6 goals in 15 Premier League games with 2 assists to his name and is shaping up quite well for the upcoming matches.
Vardy scored the winner against Chelsea a few days ago and yet again looked a threat against the Manchester City defence.
Vardy’s aggressive style of play and his attacking runs in behind the defence has caused a few problems for the opposition and Claude Puel has always been optimistic about the striker’s ability. Vardy has got the pace to outrun any opposition and his clinical finishing qualities have been a big plus for Leicester City.
His combination with Kelechi Iheanacho and Shinji Okazaki in the forward line will be vital for Leicester City's fate this season.
#2 James Maddison
James Maddison is one of the finest talents at Leicester City since the departure of Riyad Mahrez.
The 22-year-old plays more centrally as compared to the Algerian and has been productive because of his ability to create goalscoring opportunities inside the box. The midfielder has looked a constant threat inside the box because of his ability to score goals from unusual positions.
Maddison will form the core of Leicester City’s midfield in the upcoming matches too.
James Maddison can be a tricky player because of his deceptive moves in the opposition territory. Maddison has also shown that he can adapt to the situations and can change his game depending on the opposition.
The former Norwich City player added pace to the attack and can open up any defence with his precise passes.
He has also scored 5 goals in 18 games in the ongoing season with 3 assists to his name. Having him in the side has been a big plus for Claude Puel as the midfielder has shown his strength both offensively as well as defensively.
#3 Harry Maguire
After enjoying a positive run in this year’s World Cup in Russia, Harry Maguire has done a decent job manning the Leicester City defence.
The 26-year-old has looked sharp when it comes to his ability to stop any attacking runs from the opposition. The England International has been the core of Leicester City’s defence along with captain Wes Morgan.
After a good campaign last season, Maguire has looked in decent form in the ongoing season and will be looking to put up some brave performances in the upcoming matches. Maguire has looked dangerous because of his powerful tackles. He has also scored 2 goals in the ongoing Premier League season.
Maguire has also showcased his ability to win aerial duels because of his height. The defender can also be a handful during set pieces. Maguire has been a key figure in Leicester City's defence and will hold a crucial position for them in the upcoming games.
#4 Marc Albrighton
Marc Albrighton didn’t look in the best of forms last season as he could score only 2 goals in 34 games in the 2017-18 Premier League season, but the midfielder contributed 7 assists last campaign.
The 29-year-old has been the mainstay in the Leicester City midfield and has surely got a natural ability to play as an attacking midfielder. He scored a goal in Leicester City’s 2-1 win over Manchester City on 26th December.
Albrighton has scored 2 goals in 18 Premier League games in the ongoing season with 3 assists to his name. The former Aston Villa player has showcased his efficiency to work well on the flanks and can contribute decent crosses from the set-piece.
Albrighton has troubled the opposition’s defence with his ability to create chances with neat and tidy passes. Albrighton has become the centre point of Leicester City's midfield along with James Maddison.
#5 Ricardo Pereira
Ricardo Pereira adds a lot of intensity in Leicester City’s defence and has been a tough operator because of his ability to win the ball from the opposition. He scored the winner in Leicester City’s 2-1 win over Manchester City.
The 25-year-old has been used as a full-back by Leicester but the former Porto player can also be used as an attacking option because of his quick moves and electric pace. Pereira has responded well when facing against some of the best counter-attacking teams and has looked technically strong.
The Portuguese international is strong on both sides of the flanks and can shut out any attack with his intelligent and brave interceptions. Pereira can play offensively as well as defensively which provides flexibility to this Leicester side.
With the lack of an able backup, the Foxes will hope that the right-back can continue his form for the rest of the season.
