Why Leicester can push for top six

Just over a week on from a certain Englishman’s departure, and I don’t think Leicester City will be too disappointed at how things are looking. With two points from two tricky games, including an impressive second-half performance at Stamford Bridge, The Foxes have started solidly, even with a gaping, Harry Maguire-sized hole in their defence. 

Losing an £80 million-rated player can’t ever be a good thing, yet, having no doubt dried his tears with bundles of Mancunian cash, Brendan Rodgers still has many a reason to remain positive. After all, every cloud has a silver lining, and in this case, it’s how well Leicester bought before the Maguire bombshell. Shrewd, and at times sensational transfer business means that the Northern Irishman finds himself at the helm of a fascinating squad; young and brimming with potential, yet seasoned with refined Premier League quality and experience. He will be relishing the challenge of tapping in to this goldmine of talent. 

Just how far this team can go has quickly become a cause for debate. It was only three years ago that this side exploded into life and shocked the footballing universe with that glorious title victory, but I wouldn’t be racing down to the bookies just yet. Instead, much like the possession-based style he advocates, Rodgers will look to build Leicester City up slowly, nourishing his young team with a system that promotes attractive, intricate football. A far-cry from Ranieri’s rampaging smash-and-grab mission, Leicester’s newest boss will be targeting the top-six stragglers first – and there certainly isn’t anything to suggest that the Foxes can’t give some of the slipping-and-sliding superpowers a serious run for their money. 

Rodgers tends to operate with a Manchester City-esque 4-1-4-1 system, using the tireless Wilfred Ndidi as the defensive foil to allow the elegant duo of Youri Tielemans and James Maddison up ahead to strut their stuff. In possession, this gives these two creative midfielders, both just 22, by the way, almost total attacking freedom, something that particularly helped Maddison to thrive in his exciting Man of the Match performance at Chelsea. Ndidi, similarly in the thick of the action at The Bridge, made more tackles than anybody else in the league last season, showing his effectiveness in this defensive role. Oh, and guess how old he is. Yep, just 22.