Steve Cooper has utilised the fullback pairing of Victor Kristiansen and James Justin in every Premier League game this season. With Kristiansen’s tendency to push forward, Cooper initially used Justin as a defensive-minded fullback to stabilise the defence.
Tactically, their playing styles combined well. When Kristiansen pushed up, Justin inverted inside to become a wide centre-back effectively. His movement turned Leicester’s backline into a three-at-the-back defence, ensuring that Leicester were not vulnerable on the left flank in case of a turnover.
Steve Cooper has changed the roles of the fallbacks
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However, the roles of the fullbacks have been different in the past two games. Kristiansen has played as the inverted fullback more often, with Justin pushing up. By doing so, Cooper keeps Leicester tactically flexible, with no specific fullback designated for attack or defence. With Jordan Ayew’s tendency to cut inside from the right wing, Justin adds width to that flank by pushing up. Again, on paper, this seems tactically sound. However, the reality is that both Justin and Kristiansen have been poor in defence and offence.
Interestingly, when Enzo Maresca came to the club last summer, he wanted Kristiansen to play as the defensive-minded fullback on the team, with Ricardo Pereira inverting into the midfield. However, the Dane refused to play that role, preferring more freedom on the left flank. Shortly afterwards, he was loaned out to Serie A side Bologna, where he could play his preferred attacking fullback role.
While Cooper has convinced Kristiansen to be more tactically versatile, he hasn’t been good enough defensively or offensively. It’s a similar story for Justin, who has also been poor on both fronts.
Ricardo Pereira must start
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The calls for Ricardo Pereira to start are increasing. While the Portugal international is more offensive-minded, similar to Kristiansen, he offers more tactical flexibility in attack. Additionally, Pereira defends well and is capable of playing as an inverted fullback if required.
Despite still appearing to prefer playing as an attacking fullback, Kristiansen has stated that he’s happy to play as an inverted fullback to give Stephy Mavididi more room on the left wing.
“It’s been good to play with Stephy,” Kristiansen said. “It’s a different role for me in the last two games.
“I think I can come a bit more with my strength arriving in the second and third phase of the game, but it’s about giving Stephy the space he needs for his one-v-ones, and sometimes supporting him with overlaps. It’s been good.”
With the two fullbacks struggling, Cooper must make a change to freshen things up for the Foxes
The post Victor Kristiansen’s new role in not working well first appeared on Premier League News Now. Source - premierleaguenewsnow.com