Ghezzal has to be handed a regular role at Leicester after impressing in the early stages
Leicester City have looked confident under Claude Puel this season with the Foxes winning 2 games and losing 2 in the opening weeks of the season. However, the losses came against last season’s top-six candidates, Manchester United and Liverpool.
The Foxes were unfortunate to lose against the Red Devils, with Jamie Vardy coming on as a substitute and scoring instantly. But the Foxes came close to making Liverpool pay last week. Though Jamie Vardy was suspended for the game, Rachid Ghezzal scored a goal in the second half to hand Liverpool a nervy end to the game.
The £10m signing made his first start for the club against Jurgen Klopp’s side and justified his price tag by instantly picking up a goal. Though most of the pressing work was done by James Maddison, Ghezzal was present in the right place at the right time to slot it home.
The Foxes ultimately lost the game 2-1 on the night but came away with a lot of positives. Rachid Ghezzal was especially impressive on the night. The Algerian resembled the departed Riyad Mahrez with his silky skills and turns on the ball to shift the momentum to Leicester’s favour.
Deployed in a similar position as Mahrez, Ghezzal flourished playing alongside James Maddison and Kelechi Iheanacho up front. The Algerian was pleasing to the eye and crisp with his passing. Ghezzal averaged a pass success rate of 86.4% in the game against Liverpool. (Stats Courtesy – Whoscored)
His passing was sublime and the Algerian barely put a wrong foot throughout the game. Ghezzal has also shown that he is capable of matching the intense work rate required to flourish in the Premier League.
The Algerian was a constant threat down the right flank and often cut in to come into those dangerous central positions. Though he is often deployed and classified as a right-winger, Ghezzal is also capable of playing on the left. The former Monaco winger is also comfortable playing as a central attacking midfielder.
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Ghezzal will certainly hand Claude Puel a selection headache ahead of their next clash with Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth. The Cherries have started the season in strong form this time out and it would be wise for Puel to deploy an in-form Ghezzal to provide them with the cutting edge. It’s clear the Algerian should now be started on a regular basis.
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