Leicester City Fan View: A Silva surprise - and a win!

Leicester City’s start to 2018 couldn’t be much better. A win, starring some great goals, a clean sheet and a surprise addition to the squad in Adrien Silva. It might have been a tale of two halves, but the impressive second half and quality of football on display, suggests that this is only the beginning.

A Silva surprise and a bit of class

Foxes fans may have been regarding January 1st as Adrien Silva day but we’d resigned ourselves to having to wait another week before he could play. Cue surprise, and initial confusion, when he was named on the bench.

Few debutants have received a louder, excited welcome from the Leicester faithful. The King Power erupted in noise when he was brought on in the last ten minutes. Expecting him to be rusty? Apparently not. His first touch of the ball in Leicester blue? To make a brilliant challenge and intercept the ball. Certainly a good way to warm a crowd to him further. With so few minutes left, and our winning position, it was a cameo. But it left a brilliant impression. Silva looks hungry, intelligent on the ball and skilled.

Evidently our midfield issues could be a thing of the past. In Vicente Iborra and Wilfred Ndidi we can blend cool, collected passing with youthful, energetic intercepts. With Silva, we have somebody who could compliment either, or both of them. Getting the Portuguese man in at last wasn’t the only positive news for our midfield either. With Matty James finally back, our options look even better. James played the majority of the game and looked to be easing his way back to his best. His second half particularly pleasing.

Magician Mahrez does it again

January may have more departures than arrivals if Claude Puel continues to favour youth over spending money. Foxes fans will have a nervous month ahead if Riyad Mahrez continues to play such brilliant football. The magician was truly at his best today and it completely undid Huddersfield. One thing looks to be certain, £50 million probably won’t be enough for us to accept a bid anymore.

I’ve practically ran out of varying superlatives that do Mahrez justice. His first touch in particular is just astonishingly good. Watching him is a reminder of why football can be fun and joyous to watch. He continues to make it look so easy too. Playing primarily on the right, but allowed the luxury to cut in as he sees fit, he tormented the away side.

It was the Algerian’s goal that broke the deadlock, a brilliant volley and much deserved. He was at his best, but so was the quality of ball from Marc Albrighton that set him up. Puel might have asked for more consistency from the winger, he certainly stepped it up today.

Islam Slimani – will he stay or will he go?

Common sense prevailed in leaving Jamie Vardy, with a slight knock, out of the side. Instead, Puel put his faith in Islam Slimani. Whether as one last throw of the dice with the striker, or to put him in the shop window, I’m not sure. I’d personally be frustrated if we were willing to sell him though. His display against Huddersfield shows that he offers us a plan B to Vardy, or if we’re without. Had Mahrez not shone quite so brightly, it might have been another Algerian deserving the Man of the Match award.

We did something we’ve so rarely done for Slimani in both allowing him to be the main striker, and playing to his strengths and aerial presence. Unlucky with a couple of chances, he fully deserved his goal and it was well worked. The partnership that serves the Algerian national side so well struck gold again, Mahrez providing a brilliant ball to Slimani who took the chance well.

When we have started Slimani in this role, he’s consistently delivered goals. Whether he’ll be happy enough to be a second plan, not starting regularly isn’t clear. The Foxes need this type of back-up though and if we are to lose a striker or two, we’d do worse than ensuring the Algerian isn’t one of them.