Leicester City Fan View: Fousseni Diabate's debut suggests Foxes have unearthed another gem

Fewer debuts have got off to a better start than Fousseni Diabate’s. It took the Malian midfielder just nine minutes to score. The goal was impressive too. He may have only been with Leicester City for a few weeks, but he already seems to have a great understanding with his colleagues. As the Foxes eased to a 5-1 win that guarantees their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup, Diabate notched a brace and had flashes of brilliance.

Diabate the latest French gem for the Foxes?

Generally, the rule of thumb for Leicester is our cheaper signings generally seem to do better. Those we sign from France are largely unknown, but our track record is great. First there was Anthony Knockaert, then Riyad Mahrez, followed by N’Golo Kante. Expectations weren’t high, few had seen any of them play, but each were, still are, loved by the Foxes faithful. All were signed for a low cost, suggesting there are bargains to be had in France. In Diabate, Leicester might well have done it again.

Diabate made the most of being given the Riyad Mahrez role against Peterborough. His immediate future when signed wasn’t clear. We’ve signed similar players and put them straight into the development squad. Puel is not that kind of manager though. Expectations may need to be curbed given the opponents, but Diabate certainly excited. He’s got pace and skill, probably most importantly, he looks full of confidence too. Both goals were well taken and his pass that led to Wilfred Ndidi’s goal showed even more versatility.

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The attacking midfielder got into the right spaces frequently, giving his teammates a lot of options and sometimes creating something out of nothing. It’s easy to see why he’ll draw comparisons to Mahrez, but the media conclusion that this debut must mean the Algerian is departing, seem foolish. Diabate provides an alternative option, extra strength to our bench and cover should Mahrez be injured or need a rest.

A budding partnership between Diabate and Iheanacho

Kelechi Iheanacho is another talking point for Leicester. Having scored both goals in the round three replay, his FA Cup record continues. The striker was alert from minute one, still brimming with confidence. This is the player we thought we’d signed and it’s brilliant that he’s finding his feet. It gives Puel yet more selection headaches in the best way.

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The budding partnership between the Nigerian and our new signing was a pleasant surprise. The two overlapped well and it’s no surprise that both got on the score sheet. The two have learnt quickly, there was little verbal communication but the link-up play was superb. Complemented by hard-work and class that Adrien Silva brings, the football was fast-paced and exciting to watch.

How we integrate both Diabate and Iheanacho to the Premier League first team still requires work, but Puel will be delighted to have them both to call upon. For Diabate, he won’t dislodge Mahrez but he may well give Demarai Gray something to think about, and heat up the competition for that creative winger who can cut in and sit behind the forward. For Iheanacho, he picked up Man of the Match and proves that Puel has another option to Jamie Vardy.

Puel ensures Leicester get the job done

In a world where Puel has been criticised for making ten changes, it’s a null point given the individuals who played and the outcome. Leicester City boasted three of the regular back-line, as well as a central midfield duo who are first-team in Vicente Iborra and Adrien Silva. The only two who were real changes are in-out defender Yohan Benalouane and goalkeeper, Ben Hamer. The criticism entirely overlooks the hunger and desire to win the game that Leicester showed from minute one.

It was a professional performance to ensure our progression was never in doubt. It’s exactly what we should be doing as well. Comfortably sitting in the top ten of the league, there’s that relenting feeling that we’ve got more to achieve. So why not press in both the FA Cup and push Arsenal for sixth place?