Gary Lineker can highlight two key areas that cause him to ‘worry’ about Leicester City and their chances of Premier League survival.
The Foxes fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to midlands rivals Aston Villa on Saturday, leaving them with one point and winless in 15th heading into the first international break of the new season. So, Steve Cooper has been given a taste as to just how monumental the task at hand will be this year, without even mentioning bucking the trend that saw all three promoted teams go back down last term.
City’s goalscorer on Saturday was Facundo Buonanotte – the 19-year-old attacking midfielder recruited on loan from Brighton for the year. However, overall club legend Lineker is not convinced by the business he has witnessed his former side conduct over the summer months.
“Leicester have only got one point, which they were slightly fortuitous against Tottenham. Slightly worried as a Leicester fan. They bought a few players on the market but not really the players they probably needed,” he summarised on The Rest is Football podcast.
After addressing his first worry, the Match of the Day presenter went onto explain how a lack of minutes for one player that helped fire the club back to the top-flight last season is ‘baffling’ to him, and surely supporters as well.
“I think most Leicester fans are slightly baffled as to why [Stephy] Mavididi is not getting much of a look-in – he was brilliant in the Championship and actually both times he’s come on in games this season he’s made a real difference,” he continued. “Hopefully he’ll get a start, but it’s tough for the promoted teams.”
Fresh to the Premier League are also Ipswich Town and Southampton, who came up via second place and the play-offs in the second tier respectively. Leicester are highest of the trio as it stands, beating Ipswich in 17th only on goal difference, whilst the Saints are one of two teams yet to register a point.
For now, the Foxes can at least regroup as they enter the first international break of the season, the first test after which will be a trip to Crystal Palace.
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