Ruud van Nistelrooy Reveals Reason for Dropping Stephy Mavididi and Sets New Challenge for Leicester City Winger
Mavididi ended City's goal drought by firing in at Brighton and was one of their star performers after being handed his first start in 10 league matches
Stephy Mavididi must become more consistent if he wants to avoid being dropped again, Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy has said.
The winger returned to the starting line-up at Brighton and delivered a standout performance, ending the club’s goal drought and contributing to a much-needed victory that halted a record-equalling losing streak.
It marked Mavididi’s first Premier League start in 10 matches, having last featured in the XI back in mid-January.
Van Nistelrooy, who had reverted to a 4-2-3-1 formation, turned to the 26-year-old to add spark to the attack.
Mavididi had initially featured as a substitute in van Nistelrooy’s first two games in charge before starting the next seven — all of which ended in defeat.
He was then dropped for the win over Tottenham and had been restricted to appearances off the bench, despite showing flashes of quality in recent months.
Van Nistelrooy has now explained that Mavididi’s omission was due to inconsistency.
“You can see what his qualities are,” the manager said. “The consistency is his challenge.
That’s why he had a long spell starting, then came out of the team. He couldn’t really bring that consistency into his game.
“If he can train every day with the same intensity and hold himself to the highest standards, it will improve his consistency. He’s a great player for this football club.”
Mavididi’s goal at the Amex Stadium was his sixth of the season in all competitions, making him the club’s second-highest scorer, just two behind Jamie Vardy.
With six games remaining in the Premier League campaign, Mavididi is expected to keep his place as van Nistelrooy begins planning for the future.
