How Leicester City could set up in Enzo Maresca’s first official game as manager with four of his five new signings likely to be in the starting line-up in the M69 derby.
Leicester City are expected to hand out at least four debuts in their Championship opener against Coventry this weekend as they start afresh under new boss Enzo Marasca.
Back in the second tier for the first time in 10 seasons, a new-look 11 will emerge from the tunnel at the King Power Stadium on Sunday, potentially including as few as two of the team that started the final game of last season. Only Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and one of Timothy Castagno or Wout Faes seem certain to start in the M69 derby this weekend, with all but one of Marasca’s summer recruits expected to be involved.
Only a fresh injury concern will stop Mads Hermansen, Callum Doyle, and Harry Winks from making their competitive City debuts, while newest signing Stephy Mavididi could be thrown straight in on the left wing, such is the club’s shortage of wingers.
While there is still no confirmation of the severity of Conor Coady’s injury, his absence since limping off against OH Leuven suggests he is unlikely to be involved, preventing Maresca from fielding all five of his summer arrivals.
Without Coady, Faes would be favourite to play in the back-line, but he has been missing from the past two matches against Port FC and Liverpool. That makes Jannik Vestergaard favourite to play at centre-back, with the big Dane seemingly preferred by Maresca to Harry Souttar and in line for his first league start for City for 18 months.
Ricardo Pereira will start in one of the full-back positions, and if Coady and Faes are both out, Castagne is likely to take the other, with Doyle playing at centre-back, rather than at left-back.
Winks and Dewsbury-Hall will form two of the midfield three and Dennis Praet would likely be handed the remaining spot, but he was missing from the match against Liverpool. His fitness and transfer status will be confirmed at the press conference on Friday, but if he is not available, then Wilfred Ndidi, in a new more advanced role, is likely to start.
Perhaps the most contentious decision in the City 11 is on the right wing. If Mavididi starts on the left, there are four options for Maresca on the other side. Marc Albrighton started there against Liverpool, but it was Kasey McAteer who played 90 minutes in the match, finishing on the right after impressing on the left.
Wanya Marcal-Madivadua has played a lot of minutes in pre-season, but mainly from the left, while Patson Daka has also operated a winger. As things stand, McAteer could be handed his first league start for the club.
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