LEICESTER CITY DUO IN DESPERATE ALL-OUT WAR TO STEAL MINUTES – BUT CAN THEY TOPPLE CIFUENTES’ UNTOUCHABLE SUPERSTAR BEAST?!
Jannik Vestergaard stands as Leicester City’s only outfield player to feature in every Championship minute this season, earning the full trust of manager Marti Cifuentes
Caleb Okoli and Ben Nelson may be eager to earn more game time for Leicester City, but dislodging Jannik Vestergaard from the starting lineup appears a difficult task.
The Danish centre-back remains the only outfield player to have featured in every minute of Leicester’s Championship campaign so far, firmly establishing himself as a trusted figure under manager Marti Cifuentes.
Currently, his defensive partner is Wout Faes, who replaced Okoli a few matches into the season.
Okoli has been limited to substitute appearances in recent weeks, while Nelson’s wait for Championship minutes continues.
The young academy graduate has not even been named on the bench for the last seven fixtures, leaving fans eager to see him given a chance.
However, a change in the back line seems unlikely at present, particularly given Vestergaard’s influence on and off the ball.
His composure, experience, and contribution to Leicester’s build-up play have made him one of Cifuentes’ key players.
“The reality for everyone when I arrived was that it was a fresh start,” Cifuentes explained. “I didn’t want to look back at what happened last season or the one before.
We asked the players to show their potential and picked the team based on their qualities.
“Jannik has been excellent. The fact that he’s starting for Denmark speaks volumes.
He’s been strong in possession, guiding the team with his experience and growing leadership. He’s also vital for us in set-pieces and in how we build our attacks.”
The Leicester boss also praised those currently on the fringes. “Caleb has been fantastic,” Cifuentes said.
“I’m very happy with his attitude, the way he started the season, and how he’s training to push for a place in the starting eleven.
The same goes for Ben — I believe in his potential and want him to keep improving and showing he can compete for a spot. It’s good to have this level of competition.”
Leicester briefly experimented with a back three during their 2-1 defeat to Hull City, and with Cifuentes hinting at possible tactical adjustments, there could be future opportunities for Okoli and Nelson to feature.
Additionally, Harry Souttar’s recovery from injury is nearing completion, with the Australian defender expected to return to training by next month, further intensifying the competition for places in Leicester’s defensive line.
