116 touches and 89 completed passes, achieving a 91% pass completion rate”- Leicester City’s hidden gem stands out amid the team’s struggles against Walsall. Could he be the crucial factor for their survival?
Leicester City fans were left frustrated after their team managed only a 0-0 draw against League Two side Walsall in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
While Leicester eventually triumphed in the penalty shootout, thanks to backup goalkeeper Danny Ward saving all three Walsall attempts, concerns lingered about the team’s performance. The Foxes’ players, including Ricardo Pereira, Conor Coady, and Oliver Skipp, converted their penalties, but the match highlighted significant issues, as Leicester only registered two shots on target, the first coming as late as the 79th minute.
Despite the season being in its early stages, many fans are growing impatient, particularly with Steve Cooper’s defensive tactics. Cooper made ten changes to the starting lineup after a disappointing 1-1 draw with Everton, yet the experienced squad, featuring players like Pereira, Coady, Bobby De Cordova-Reid, and Odsonne Edouard, struggled to secure a convincing win.
The only player retained from the Everton match was center-back Caleb Okoli, and the £12 million summer signing demonstrated his worth with a solid performance. Leicestershire Live rated Okoli’s display a six out of ten, highlighting him as one of the few who looked up to Premier League standards. He excelled in defensive duties, making seven clearances, blocking two shots, and winning two tackles.
Initially, when Leicester signed Okoli from Atalanta, there were expectations for him to start immediately. However, a lackluster performance in preseason led Cooper to choose Jannik Vestergaard instead for the first two league matches. Okoli finally earned his spot alongside Wout Faes in the 4-0 victory over Tranmere Rovers in the previous round of the Carabao Cup, and the partnership has continued in the Premier League.
Against Walsall, Okoli excelled, making 116 touches and completing 89 passes with a 91% success rate. He will face a tougher challenge on Saturday as Leicester heads to Arsenal, where he and Faes will need to be at their best for a chance at success.
