Martin Keown calls out Leicester City transfers amid 'confusion' over Ruud van Nistelrooy pick
Ruud van Nistelrooy inherited a Leicester City squad that lacks strength at both ends of the pitch, former defender Martin Keown has claimed.
Van Nistelrooy has overseen a seven-match losing run in the Premier League, with one more defeat matching the club’s longest-ever streak of defeats. But he’s not been dealt the best hand, Keown believes.
The former City and Arsenal centre-back pointed out that three of the current back four – James Justin, Wout Faes, and Victor Kristiansen – were in the 11 that was relegated two seasons ago, while the onus still rests with 38-year-old striker Jamie Vardy to get the goals. Van Nistelrooy needs new players in defence and attack, he said.
READ MORE: Simon Jordan sets out clear Ruud van Nistelrooy sack stance amid Leicester City struggles
READ MORE: Leicester City 'have to face transfer reality' with Southampton set to sign their former target
However, Keown doesn’t understand why Facundo Buonanotte was left on the bench in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Fulham. The on-loan Argentinian has started four of van Nistelrooy’s 10 games in charge in all competitions.
“I’m looking at the strength of the squad,” Keown said on talkSPORT. “Buonanotte is another player who didn’t start the game and that confused me a little bit. I thought he played well in the cup match that they won.
“Their half-time team talk was critical. They went in at 0-0 and you’re into the team saying: ‘We win this, we’re out of the bottom three, this is as big as it gets.’ But they just fell away. The decisions he made, maybe he wants to stay in the game long enough to try to win it.
“Vardy now is 38 years of age, it’s remarkable. To ask him to be the player at the top of the team is too much. Three of the back four were part of the relegation team. There needs to be new players coming in. Enough of that wasn’t done in the summer.
“He’s inherited this group. He’s trying to make things happen and he’s not panicking. He’s staying calm. He needs players in the final third to put the ball in the back of the net.”
City have signed right-back Woyo Coulibaly and more recruits are craved. A centre-back, a winger, and potentially a striker are the deals now being prioritised, but just two weeks now remain in the window.
