Julian Carranza Promising Debut, Louis Page New Contract, 4-3-3 Midfield Dilemma

Embed from Getty Images

Julian Carranza made his debut for Leicester in the 0-0 draw at home to Coventry. He came on late second half to be the change needed to snatch all three points, but it never happened. But what we like with the new loan man from Feyenoord was his movement and involvement looking very much like the man on top.

Jordan Ayew has good workrate and has shown grit and fighting spirit in all games played so far. The problem up front is very clear as Marti Cifuentes chase a solution. He also needs to address several other issues as his line-up looks far from fluid and correct.

He replaced Hamza Choudhury, Oliver Skipp and Caleb Okoli with Ricardo Pereira, Harry Winks and Wout Faes. The result was not really a success. It did not find a better solution. The 4-3-3 system played does not really fit the players involved.

The situation is not bad, but it is not perfect either. The back four should rather be set to a back three playing Caleb Okoli, Jannik Vestergaard and Wout Faes. Then you have a dilemma. You need to decide what to do when having the ball. Consider pushing Ricardo Pereira into a midfield role or even pushing him up in the forward line.

Marti Cifuentes follows his school book when it comes to the system of play. He always sets up his team in a 4-3-3 system. However, he can be flexible regarding the pivot, either single or double. He admits and have said that some of his players are hybrid, which in football can be difficult if you play a strict and certain system.

Louis Page who has signed his first professional contract with the club, is still very young. When Marti has started him from the beginning, results have been hugely positive. He is a clever player. However, he looks like a hybrid type. He is not yet fully cultivated in a specific midfield role in a three men midfield.

A professional contract for Louis 👏

We’re delighted to confirm that our talented midfielder has signed his first pro deal with us ✍️
— Leicester City (@LCFC) September 22, 2025

You need certain types of players for the 4-3-3 system. This ensures the system is fluid and perfect. That looks difficult. However, it can be fixed. Enzo Maresca did this with Wilfred Ndidi by playing him as a 10. Winks was left as a 6. Dewsbury-Hall was in that 8 position. The set up is not ideal. However, it is good enough to win the division. It helps build a good and solid midfield trio in this system.

Aaron Ramsey is a good alternative as a 10, Jordan James should be able to work well as an 8 and Hamza Choudhury is a natural 6. In the game vs. Coventry, James was the 10, Choudhury on the bench and Aaron Ramsey not available. Harry Winks is more suited as an 8 than a 6. His tackling is far from good enough to operate in this role. Soumare is not easy to figure out as he looks unsettled when playing, having difficulties to adjust offensively and defensively.

The fact that the team does not have that target man up front makes everything look very strange. We have talked about Jeremy Monga, not playing him from start is a laugh. The 8 that runs as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and a natural 10 is far from present. Bouba Soumare can be the 6, but playing him alongside Harry Winks or Hamza Choudhury would give the team lack of movement and offensive quality.

Sean Dyche, Chris Wilder and Danny Rohl were all names looking to be considered as potential Leicester manager, they are more pragmatic in their system approach and are known for building up their team in relation to the strength of the players available. Marti is a bit different, he is building everything on one system and a very clear plan of play.

He does not currently have the midfield players to play the style he likes. He needs more mobile midfielders and a man up top who can stretch the defense more than Jordan Ayew does. Hopefully, we will see more character in this team going forward. However, it will be a difficult plan to follow.

The fact that Marti Cifuentes made those changes from Oxford to Coventry shows he has no real clear idea what direction he is going. He is uncertain about how he will build his team on his system. We just have hope Aaron Ramsey soon will be available and that Jeremy Monga will get a key role going forward, if not this will become a long and very dull season.

The problem at the moment is to understand why Harry Winks, Oliver Skipp, and Bouba Soumare are not more on the front foot. They should try to bring the team higher in the field. Additionally, the full backs need to come up more often to support the wingers up front.

It was disappointing to see Jordan James playing a bit out of his role. I would have loved to see him as an 8, and not as a 10. He never really made the movement needed to be a real threat.

TCF – Filbertway – Social Media Channels