“Ruud van Nistelrooy Gains Key Leicester City Player to Deliver Crucial Solution”

Harry Winks featured in every Championship match but one last season, and his absence was due to suspension.

Otherwise, he would likely have played that game as well.

Winks was a pivotal figure in Enzo Maresca’s setup, arguably competing with Jannik Vestergaard and Mads Hermansen for the title of Leicester City’s most important player.

To execute Maresca’s strategies effectively, Winks was essential in midfield.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has frequently discussed building upon Maresca’s foundations and advancing the ideas he introduced.

With Winks now fit for selection, it seems almost certain he will be included in the starting lineup this weekend.

Winks had missed an opportunity to impress under van Nistelrooy after suffering a groin injury in Steve Cooper’s final match in charge.

In his absence, Wilfred Ndidi and Boubakary Soumare were deployed as physical midfield options in the Dutch manager’s first two games.

Their presence in front of the back four provided a solidity van Nistelrooy seemed to value.

However, Ndidi’s recent injury has created an opening for Winks to step in, a situation further emphasized by City’s shortcomings during their loss to Newcastle.

Defensively, City struggled, particularly with set-pieces.

However, van Nistelrooy highlighted the team’s tendency to lose possession too easily, which left them vulnerable to Newcastle’s counter-attacks. He explained:

“In open play, our defensive organization was solid.

Most of Newcastle’s chances came when we lost the ball and they countered.

We reviewed these moments in team meetings and worked on the training ground to improve decision-making and structure when in possession.

We need to protect ourselves better against counter-attacks.”

Although van Nistelrooy prioritizes maintaining possession, he aims for a balanced approach rather than possession for its own sake, a critique sometimes leveled at Maresca.

His preferred style was evident in the 2-2 draw with Brighton, where City had 56% possession, a marked improvement compared to the 41% they managed against Newcastle.

Against Newcastle, City struggled to balance adventurous attacking passes with retaining the ball.

When possession was lost, it either allowed Eddie Howe’s side to dominate or launch swift counter-attacks. Post-match, full-back James Justin highlighted the need for patience:

“The manager gave us a good structure, but we didn’t execute it as well as we know we can.

We need to get into the structure earlier, stay calm, and be more deliberate in possession.”

Winks stands out as the best player in the squad at dictating tempo and calming chaotic situations.

When matches become frantic, his composure and ability to stabilize play make him indispensable to Leicester’s midfield.

His inclusion this weekend is expected to help the team regain control and avoid the errors that plagued their performance against Newcastle.