Who is on top of their game?
The international break gives us time to reflect on the performances of Leicester City’s firstteam players so far this season. So who are the star names and who needs to improve? Aime Wilson reports
KASPER SCHMEICHEL - 9/10 City’s current longest serving player has been one of the top performers in his ninth season at the club.
The goalkeeper has worn the captain’s armband in the majority of his 37 appearances in all competitions this season, including every Premier League game.
He has kept 14 clean sheets, with 10 coming in the Premier League, putting City in joint fifth place in the clean sheet table.
Schmeichel has pulled off a number of crucial saves, including memorable ones in the 1-1 draw with Burnley and denying Marcus Rashford in the 2-2 draw against Manchester United in December.
DANNY WARD - 6/10
The Welshman has found himself behind Kasper Schmeichel in the pecking order since his arrival from Liverpool in the summer of 2018.
Ward has made two appearances in the Europa League and FA Cup, as well as playing in the Carabao Cup third round defeat against Arsenal at the start of the season, keeping a total of two clean sheets in his five appearances.
The goalkeeper has proved to be a good back-up to Schmeichel but is never going to oust City’s No.1.
CAGLAR SOYUNCU - 7/10
The Turkish defender has come back into the team after missing 11 Premier League games through injury.
He faced a fight to get back into the side given the form of Wesley Fofana in defence, and took a bit of time to get back to full fitness.
The new three at the back allows Soyuncu, Fofana and Evans to play together, with the Turkish international producing one of his best performances in a City shirt against Manchester United in their FA Cup quarter-final victory, which saw him back to the form that earned him plaudits last season.
Wesley Fofana - 8/10
The summer signing took no time at all in adapting to the Premier League after signing from French side Saint Etienne.
Soyuncu’s injury meant that the then teenager was thrown into action earlier than anticipated but Fofana has quickly established himself as a crucial member of the team.
The 20-year-old has shown that he is able to keep some of the best strikers in the league quiet.
However, there has been the odd performance where he has shown his inexperience.
JONNY EVANS - 8.5/10
The epitome of calmness in the backline, Evans is a cornerstone of City’s defensive line-up, showing his experience in both keeping the opposition quiet and leading his defensive partner through the game, whether that be Fofana or Soyuncu.
WES MORGAN - N/A
The club captain’s role has changed over the last two seasons, and a back injury has meant just three starts in the Europa League and the League Cup. The defender has also been bought on to help City see games out and has never let the team down in that role.
DANIEL AMARTEY - 6.5/10
The versatile Ghanaian has mainly found himself either at right-back or centre-back this season.
Having just made his way back from a long injury lay-off, the 26-year-old has proved a reliable back-up, even scoring the crucial late winner against Brighton.
But he can be prone to the odd lapse in concentration.
LUKE THOMAS - 6.5/10
The teenage left-back was thrown into action at the end of last season, and took his chance with both hands, but has had to be patient for game time so far this campaign.
Most of his minutes have come in the Europa League as City made it through to the round of 32 stage of the competition.
The 19-year-old has also made six appearances in the Premier League with a further two in the FA Cup.
Performances have generally been impressive, especially considering his age, but he has shown his inexperience at times.
CHRISTIAN FUCHS - 5.5/10
Fuchs was drafted in during the defensive crisis in November, playing eight Premier League games in a row, but has since found game time hard to come by with the return of Soyuncu and Fofana from injury.
He played in the unfamiliar centre-back role and that was shown in some of the games, although you could still see the quality that he possesses.
RICARDO PERIERA - 7/10
Ricardo has been a key player since his arrival in 2018, but spent the first part of the season stepping up his recovery from an ACL injury suffered in the final game before the suspension of football.
The 27-year-old made his comeback at the start of the year. As with any long-term injury, it will take a while to get back up to full speed, but he is showing signs that he is getting back to his best.
TIMOTHY CASTAGNE - 8/10
The Belgian full-back has shown no signs of having to adapt to the Premier League after signing from Atlanta, scoring on his debut in the 3-0 win over West Brom.
Although his appearances have been disrupted by a thigh injury, he has still enjoyed an impressive season.
The player who was tasked with stepping into the shoes of Ricardo Periera after his injury in March last year.
In just his second Premier League season, Justin proved to be one of the most impressive full-backs in the league and was on the edge of a debut England call-up before injury against Brighton put a cruel end to his season.
WILFRED NDIDI - 8.5/10
Ndidi started the season in the centre-back role before suffering an injury that kept him out of action for eight Premier League games.
The midfielder returned in December in his preferred midfield position and proved his worth to the City team with his ball recovery skills.
His impact is shown by the fact that City have lost just two league games with Ndidi in the team this season.
HAMZA CHOUDHURY – 6.5/10 The midfielder could have been on the move in January, in search for more game time, but stayed at the King Power Stadium.
The academy graduate played in the Europa League, but has mainly had to settle for a few minutes off the bench to help City see games out.
NAMPALYS MENDY - 7/10
His future at City looked uncertain in the summer until Mendy eventually signed a new three-year contract.
The 28-year-old then stepped in for the injured Wilfred Ndidi, proving to be an able deputy for the defensive midfielder with a number of impressive performances.
Ndidi’s return has meant fewer games but Mendy has proved to be a valuable member of the squad.
YOURI TIELEMANS – 9.5/10
The Belgian midfielder has played the most minutes for Leicester this season, showing his importance to the team.
He has played in every one of City’s Premier League and FA Cup games and all but one of City’s Europa League matches.
Playing in the deeper role alongside Wilfred Ndidi has suited the Belgian, who is able to see the picture in front of him and work his magic, as shown by the pass to Kelechi Iheanacho for the equalising goal at Brighton.