Caglar Soyuncu and Boubakary Soumare were sensational for Leicester against Wolves after previously being distrusted and mismanaged by Brendan Rodgers.
Outside of restoring ketchup to the menu, using the words ‘Football Club’ numerous times in a press conference unveiling and, depending on the proclivities of one’s predecessor, either increasing or reducing the number and intensity of training sessions, there is no better way to encourage a new manager bounce than offering a clean slate to a beleaguered squad.
Those who had been frozen out under the previous regime are given a route back in. The few trusted lieutenants of the last officer to fall on his sword have a renewed hunger and a point to prove. There are no favourites. Roles are reset. Everything is equal.
It makes those first starting line-ups of a new manager’s reign almost as interesting as the games themselves. Players previously stored at the back of the cupboard and long since forgotten are used in recipes which at least promise something different, if not better. The demand for change and a fresh outlook is sated even before the first whistle is blown.
A trip to Manchester City rather diluted the idea that Dean Smith would hit the ground running as Leicester’s short-term saviour, yet even in that defeat there were shoots of positivity which blossomed gloriously in his home bow against Wolves. The attacking intent they showed late on at the Etihad was built on with Tete, Kelechi Iheanacho and Patson Daka lurking threateningly behind Jamie Vardy.
Perhaps the biggest alteration came in midfield. Wilfred Ndidi, whose powers have waned considerably in recent times, was dropped for Boubakary Soumare, who was excellent alongside Youri Tielemans. And considering the latter’s use of the ball throughout this stirring victory, he needed to be.
B. Soumaré vs Wolves
78% Pass Successful (32/41)
9 Ball Recoveries
7 Ground Duels Won
4/4 Successful Dribbles
2/3 Accurate Long Balls
2/3 Successful Tackles
2 Clearances
2 Interceptions
1 Chance CreatedThe man ran his legs off today, top quality performance. Baller. pic.twitter.com/Hg6qSJNtoS
— 𝙇𝘾𝙁𝘾 𝙎𝙋 (@LCFCshitposting) April 22, 2023
Brendan Rodgers never seemed convinced by the credentials of Soumare, yet further back sat a player whose banishment under the Northern Irishman became one of the sorest points of contention within a fractured Foxes fanbase.
The fall of Caglar Soyuncu has been peculiar. A PFA Team of the…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Football365…