Leicester City mid-season player ratings as Faes excels, Soumare steps up, and Ndidi underwhelms

How we rated Leicester City players and manager Brendan Rodgers based on their performances in the 17 games leading

The World Cup break provides an opportune moment to assess Leicester City’s season so far, and also to take a breather after a rollercoaster first 17 games in all competitions.

The city endured its worst league run for 20 years as they lost six on the trot early in the campaign, setting new records for defensive vulnerability. Brendan Rodgers had lost the support of the fans and relegation was a genuine concern.

Six weeks later and City has flipped its form on its head, rediscovering its defensive solidity to keep six clean sheets in eight games, producing attacking football to rival the best performances under Rodgers, and lifting themselves up to mid-table.

But who have been the stars behind that improvement? And who still needs to give a lot more? Here are our ratings for the season so far. You can get in touch with your thoughts in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Danny Ward: No player has epitomized City’s turnaround like their goalkeeper. Ward struggled under the weight of taking Schmeichel’s number one shirt early on, conceding frequently because of questionable positioning, making shaky decisions, and providing no confidence in his defense. But for the past few games, he has been excellent. The only goal he has conceded in the past nine hours was an inch-perfect free-kick, with the Welshman making a handful of important stops, the reflex saves to deny Benrahma at the weekend potentially the pick of the bunch. He deserves credit for getting himself out of a sticky patch. 6

Daniel Iversen: He has only played two matches, both against lower-league opposition, but he has still found an opportunity to shine, saving three penalties in a heroic turn at Stockport. The mistakes in pre-season have not continued into the campaign proper, and he will hope to retain his position as City’s cup keeper. 7

Timothy Castagne: City’s defensive woes were in spite of Castagne, rather than because of him, the Belgian was strong, full of running, and mistake-free, despite the underperformance around him. That consistency is an excellent quality to have. Since then, he has perhaps not raised his game like everybody else, with his passing rushed. 6

James Justin: Ten months after his injury recovery and it still felt like Justin was well short of the highs he was hitting before his ACL tear. But, with every passing game, there were glimmers of what he could do at his best, not least in the cup game against Newport where he suffered another devastating blow. 5

Luke Thomas: Rarely afforded a run of games in which to build form, Thomas tends to be thrown in for the odd match. At Brighton, he endured a terrible afternoon, capped by an own goal. At West Ham at the weekend, he showed his game intelligence to win plenty of interceptions, while he pressed Jarrod Bowen out of the game. If he can keep that up, it will be a real bonus for City after Justin’s terrible injury news. 5

Jonny Evans: The skipper admitted it was “bittersweet” to see the defense drastically improve once he was out of the team with injury. It was not that Evans was at the heart of City’s issues, he produced a defensive masterclass in the 1-0 loss to Manchester United, but he definitely has not been at his best this season. 5

Wout Faes: A center-back keeping six clean sheets in their first nine appearances would be superb in any team. But to enjoy such a record in a side that had been conceding for fun is astonishing. His enthusiasm for defending – the big-haired Belgian seen celebrating blocks and tackles with fist pumps – has been infectious, while his aggression has been controlled, and his confidence hasn’t tipped over to arrogance. 8

Daniel Amartey: The cult hero of last season saw his reputation tank early in the campaign when he was picked out as the weak link in City’s defensive performances. There were definitely errors in there, but he was left needlessly exposed at times. Since partnering with Faes, he has been very good, showing the strength, composure, and anticipation of his best City displays, keeping Evans out of the team at the weekend. 6

Caglar Soyuncu: A surprise inclusion against Man City, it was nice that Soyuncu could enjoy a good performance, because it may be his last for the club. Fans wanted to know why he was not featuring when the defense was falling apart, but last season’s poor performances look to have cost him a future at the club. However, in his two appearances this term, he’s been fine. 6

Jannik Vestergaard: The big Dane, like Soyuncu, does not have a long-term future at City, and so his game-time has been equally restricted, costing him a World Cup spot. In his one start, away at Stockport, he was City’s best outfield player, showing his eye for a pass. But his lack of pace means he will never be a regular again. 6

Wilfred Ndidi: Because of how he can perform at his best, Ndidi may be the disappointment of the season so far. In no match has Ndidi dominated the center of the park, those telescopic legs not winning tackles and interceptions like they can. Plus, he has made costly errors when dawdling in possession. Soumare may have overtaken him. 4

Boubakary Soumare: City’s most improved player by far. Such was Soumare’s lack of game awareness and slow thinking last season, Rodgers no longer felt he could trust him. This season, he has looked much better defensively, tracking runners and reading danger, while there have been flashes on the ball where he has used his strength and pace to bulldoze forward. There have been some nice passes too. 6

Papy Mendy: In the final year of his contract, Mendy may not be around for much longer, but he can still do a valuable job. He is so cool in possession and makes such good choices, that he can turn a panic-stricken team performance into a composed one, as he did at West Ham. If City is winning games, he’s the man to bring on. 6

Youri Tielemans: Back to his best. His displays at the end of the last term saw supporters question his commitment, but when handed the armband following Evans’ injury, he stepped up a level, commanding the midfield, dropping back to do the dirty defensive work, playing forward passes through the lines with ease, and scoring two scorching goals. He will be missed. 7

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: His passion and energy made him an instant favorite, but in his second season, there is more scrutiny over his ability on the ball. Improvements are needed, that is clear, with his decision-making and final ball letting him down on occasion. But, he has so much stamina and determination that City is always better with him on the pitch. 6

Dennis Praet: He’s just a very competent footballer. His technical and tactical ability is right up there, but that magic that Maddison and Tielemans have is lacking and that’s why he doesn’t play more often. Still, he’s a very good player to have in the squad, particularly if he makes an impact as he did against Leeds when he played a key role in both goals. 6

James Maddison: He started the season slowly in terms of his all-around game, but kept his numbers ticking. Since City’s own upturn, he has been outstanding. His performances against Forest and Everton, where he matched supreme quality with a sheer determination to win, were two of the best individual displays of any of the club’s players in recent years. His close control, his dynamism, his free-kicks, his dribbling, his choice of pass, his body feints, and his consistent goalscoring make him one of the best players in the Premier League. 8

Marc Albrighton: He has been promoted to vice-captain but his game-time has dwindled further. He does not possess the attributes to be a regular on the wing in Rodgers’ team, and he is not solid enough to play at full-back. He’s still on Vardy’s wavelength though. 5

Harvey Barnes: He may be the most difficult player to assess in this City team. His overall game is littered with frustrating moments where he runs into trouble and loses the ball, and yet his numbers are so impressive, because his efficiency in the box is improving all of the time, and he is learning how best to use his pace. 6

Ayoze Perez: The turns, quick-thinking, and through balls he provided against West Ham showed that he can still produce effective performances. But that was his only positive of the season, and so opportunities are set to remain limited. 5

Jamie Vardy: It’s been called wrongly plenty of times before, but there are signs that suggest this is the season where it starts to wind down for Vardy. The under-rated aspects of his game are still there, and that’s why he’s racked up a few assists, but he has not been a threat in front of goal in the Premier League. 5

Kelechi Iheanacho: One Premier League start for a player who nearly always delivers feels unfair. He still does tend to make a difference when he features, albeit the cameos have been so limited of late that even he’s struggled to make an impact. 5

Patson Daka: He’s getting there. There is definitely a greater consideration of how he can link up with his teammates, he runs really hard to press the opposition, and he has the all-important knack of turning up in the right place at the right time. But it still feels like he lacks a little quality in key moments. 6

Brendan Rodgers: Afforded patience few managers get, and he has used it very well. He looked helpless to solving City’s ropey defense early on, but after he moved on from the summer woes, he has made a few tactical tweaks and become more pragmatic in his approach, and it’s yielded points. His substitutions are becoming more effective too. Crucially, his man management behind the scenes means he has never lost the players. 6

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