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Patson Daka starts, formation change - Leicester City surprises Steve Cooper could spring vs Chelsea
Steve Cooper and Leicester City face a crucial period in their fight for Premier League safety in the upcoming six weeks. Between now and the first game of 2025, the Foxes will play nine times with 27 points up for grabs.
After 11 games, Leicester collected 10 points with two wins. The final international break of 2024 came at the right time after a 3-0 drubbing at Manchester United, but Cooper's men are worse off.
Abdul Fatawu's season-ending ACL injury has left City without one of the most dangerous players. Jordan Ayew, who has proved to be a smart signing, also returned from Ghana with an injury.
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The testing period for Leicester starts on Saturday with Enzo Maresca returning to LE2 with Chelsea. With Fatawu out and Cooper's defence leaking goals, we take a look at some surprise selections we could see during the festive period.
Skipp return
Oliver Skipp hasn't started a Premier League game for Leicester since the 3-2 win over Southampton in the middle of October. He has been an unused substitute in the last three. In his first outings in blue, the midfielder showed why the club decided to cough up £20million with his energy, passing range and support in attack.
Leicester have conceded seven goals in the last three league games. Boubakary Soumare was given the nod at Old Trafford meaning Skipp has been forced to watch. Against Chelsea, who will likely start Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo, City need the attributes Skipp has to offer.
Premier League experience is an under-rated trait at this time of the season. A midfield trio of Wilfred Ndidi, Harry Winks and Skipp could be a likely choice for Cooper following the 24-year-old's previous performances.
Formation change
Before Fatawu's injury, some called for a change in formation to stop the goals going in. 21 goals have been conceded in the Premier League this season and Cooper is yet to settle on a centre-back partnership.
Jannik Vestergaard's return from injury provides some familiarity for Wout Faes but the lack of pace is a concern. A switch to a back three, allowing one of Conor Coady or Caleb Okoli to come in, is an option for Leicester to tighten up the defence.
Fatawu's absence means James Justin is the only option at right wing-back with Victor Kristiansen the first-choice left-back. It would throw a curveball at Chelsea and offer a different dynamic going forward.
However, it must be said, it's unlikely that Leicester will use a new formation after too little time with the full squad at Seagrave.
Daka's third chance
Patson Daka is available for selection under Cooper for the first time after returning to training. The striker hasn't played for the Foxes since the 5-0 win over Southampton and he hasn't been named in a starting line-up since the defeat to Plymouth.
With Odsonne Edouard hardly featuring since arriving from Crystal Palace, Daka's return could be exactly what Leicester have been waiting for. The Zambia international has proved to be worth the wait in stages, but long-term, there are question marks over his ability.
Jamie Vardy has played 90 minutes six times this season, matching his tally from the relegation season. Last season, he managed just one under Maresca. At 37, it's vital to manage his minutes and having Daka back offers more pace in the final third.
Winger predicament
Cooper has rotated his wingers in the first 11 games of the season. Fatawu and Bobby De Cordova-Reid started in August, Stephy Mavididi earned his return to the squad and Ayew has done the job when required.
Now, three of these options are either unavailable or doubtful. Mavididi is almost guaranteed to start against Chelsea and get a decent run in the team leaving the right winger spot free. Facundo Buonanotte's one-game suspension means Kasey McAteer may be in line for his first start in the league.
Bilal El Khannouss will be itching to become a regular in England after glimpses of his quality while highly-rated youngsters Will Alves and Jeremy Monga have done more than enough to warrant a place in the squad.
