A few months ago, reports suggested that Leicester head coach Brendan Rodgers was on the verge of losing his job with the Foxes. The fact that Leicester had failed to win in their opening Premier League games seven was the main reason for the speculation over Rodgers’ future.
However, a turnaround in the form of late has seen Leicester move up the table out of the relegation zone after a 2-0 win at Everton on Saturday and move up to 13th place in the table.
Defensive improvement is the key to improvement
The victory on Merseyside means that the Foxes have now won three of their last five games in the English top flight, having suffered just one defeat. The key to Leicester’s good results of late has been a big improvement at the back, as Rodgers’ team has conceded just one goal in their last five league games.
A player who has been a big figure in the improvement is Belgian centre-back Wout Faes. The 24-year-old has been a calming influence at the heart of the Foxes’ backline. In his eight appearances for the Midlands team, slowly but surely, Leicester has become far more solid in defence.
Faes enjoyed another impressive display against Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who went off injured on the hour mark. He also coped with the threat of his replacement Neal Maupay. Undoubtedly, many forwards will struggle against Faes this season, which means that the Foxes will continue to rack up more clean sheets.
James Maddison hits form at the right time
There has been a massive debate in the British media over whether Leicester playmaker James Maddison should be in the England squad. His display at Goodison Park can only further his chances of an international call-up.
Not only did he pick up two assists in the clash, but he also hit the post as Leicester dominated the centre of the park. Maddison’s performance will not surprise many, as he has been outstanding for much of the season, even when the Foxes were struggling for victories.
The 25-year-old has scored six Premier League goals and also produced four assists this season. Those are good numbers for a midfielder, especially one playing in a team that has underperformed for much of the league campaign.
You would have to go a long way to find an English player with better attacking returns this season. The only English players with more direct goal involvements than Maddison are Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Brentford forward Ivan Toney.
On current form, Maddison must be in the thoughts of England boss Gareth Southgate for the World Cup, even if the playmaker has just one cap, won three years ago.
Leicester likely to move up the table
Now that Leicester has seemingly stabilised their backline, the Foxes are likely to move up the table. With the quality within their squad, they were in a false position in the relegation zone. When the likes of Faes, Maddison and Youri Tielemans in form, they can give most teams a run for their money in the Premier League.
Head coach, Rodgers’ position, is no longer under threat, and the men from the Midlands will now likely be looking up the table and not below them at the relegation zone.
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Where will Leicester finish in the Premier League table this season?
