JibrinHow Leicester City could line up under Gary Rowett as new boss drops hint on selection direction
Gary Rowett has been tasked with changing Leicester City’s fortunes and begins his 14 games in charge with a trip to one of his old clubs Stoke on Saturday lunchtime
Gary Rowett made a few nods to experience in his maiden Leicester City press conference that could hint at the direction he takes in his first line-up.
The new manager takes charge for the first time on Saturday, away at his former club Stoke.
He needs to quickly pick up results to turn the club’s fortunes around, and while not divulging too much on how he might set up the side to do that, Rowett did suggest he wants an experienced group on the pitch.
Discussing the reasons behind City’s 26-game streak without a clean sheet, Rowett said: “When you look at the make-up of a squad, it’s having that experience and solidity down the spine of a team.
“That spine has changed quite a lot throughout the season for different reasons. It’s trying to find the balance.”
Then, when asked how to get a 90-minute performance out of a side following second-half collapses this season, the new boss said: “Having some of these injured players back, even on the bench, would allow you to make some of those changes late in games.
“At the moment, perhaps to put some of the younger players on means you’re in those situations.”
Rowett typically employs a 4-2-3-1 formation and if he was to select the most seasoned lineup, the defensive unit would be the same that started City’s last Championship match, with Asmir Begovic in goal over Jakub Stolarczyk, and with Ricardo Pereira and Luke Thomas favoured at full-back over Bade Aluko and Victor Kristiansen.
At centre-back, Rowett has no alternatives, and this was perhaps the position he was alluding to when he mentioned the club are “light in places”. With Jamaal Lascelles, Jannik Vestergaard and Harry Souttar sidelined, it will have to be Caleb Okoli and Ben Nelson.
In midfield, the decision becomes more complex. Harry Winks, Oliver Skipp and Joe Aribo represent the most seasoned trio he can deploy, but that would require Aribo to operate as a number 10.
It’s a role he’s undertaken previously, but he was acquired by City as someone who would feature in a box-to-box capacity.
Right now, City’s finest number 10 option appears to be Man City loanee Divine Mukasa, but he is only 18.
Out wide, it would be unexpected if Abdul Fatawu and Stephy Mavididi didn’t feature from the start, and while up front, Jordan Ayew brings greater experience, Patson Daka is far from lacking it, while he possesses the speed that Rowett may favour to exploit on the break.
Predicted City line-up (4-2-3-1): Begovic; Ricardo, Okoli, Nelson, Thomas; Winks, Aribo; Fatawu, Mukasa, Mavididi; Daka.
Jibrin
