Leicester City ’s shock 2-1 defeat by Hull City on Saturday was a reality check for Claudio Ranieri’s reigning champions.
The Foxes achieved a fairytale title triumph last term, and—partly as a result—things were never going to be easy again this season.
Leicester were brought crashing down to earth as they were defeated by the Tigers, who ensured that Ranieri’s miracle men became the first reigning English champions to lose their opening fixture since Arsenal in 1989.
There’s no chance that Leicester will be underestimated as they were last season, while teams are now savvy to their approach and are also keen to up their game and take some points from the champions.
After their victory, Hull’s interim coach Mike Phelan revealed how his side had opted to defend deeply and to force Leicester to play to the home side’s strengths, while captain Curtis Davies revealed how the newly promoted team sought to put the ‘onus’ on Leicester.
Leicester’s key men were so critical to their success last season, although with Robert Huth out, with Riyad Mahrez anonymous and with Jamie Vardy suffering an off day, they wholly failed to live up to last season’s high standards.
Last term, the energy and dynamism of N’Golo Kante in the heart of the park was vital as Leicester sought to disrupt teams and win back the ball, and with the France international departing for Chelsea, the Foxes were left short of endeavour and industry in the heart of the park.
Andy King, a valuable player, was given the nod against Hull, while new signing Nampalys Mendy—missing after his partner gave birth—is likely to be the long-term replacement for Kante.
However, could Ghana international Daniel Amartey be another option for Ranieri as the Italian coach looks to find an alternative to the Frenchman’s dynamic midfield presence?
Amartey signed for Leicester in January, and while he featured occasionally for Leicester as they saw out their title triumph, Ranieri was reticent to change a winning team and the Black Star ended the campaign with just one start and a further four substitute appearances in the top flight.
While he impressed on occasion, Leicester fans haven’t yet seen the best of the former FC Kobenhavn man, who was given a 22 minute run out against Hull.
Amartey’s versatility—he could cover for Danny Simpson at right-back or in the heart of the defence—makes him an ideal defensive option off the bench, but he has the quality to thrive in the midfield alongside Drinkwater.
While his tackling and interception statistics can’t match those of Kante, he is energetic, works hard and is pacy, and his game intelligence means that he should be able to improve these numbers if given a spoiler-recycler brief by Ranieri.
Amartey doesn’t have the engine of the Frenchman, but he offers a different kind of physical presence and, at six foot, can hold his own against some of the Premier League’s more powerful midfielders.
He won’t be able to match Kante, but perhaps that’s not exactly what Leicester need this season, when teams will invite them on and they are likely to enjoy much more possession than they did last term.
In this respect, Amartey can use the ball more effectively than Kante, and is certainly more ambitious than his former team mate.
Memorably, during Kobenhavn’s 2014-15 Europa League campaign, he demonstrated an ability to keep his team ticking over intelligently, while effectively seeking to change the angle of the attack and play in more offensively minded team mates with longer balls.
Foxes fans haven’t seen the best of Amartey yet, but with Leicester surely needing to modify their approach in light of savvy opposition, he may be the man to help ease the Kante headache!
goal.com