Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Comments Offer Hope for £15m Leicester Star, but Fans May Disagree – Opinion

Leicester City have made a promising start under new manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.

After suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, the Dutchman responded decisively by making key changes for his debut in the dugout.

These adjustments paid off, as Leicester secured a 3-1 victory against West Ham United on December 3rd.

A challenging encounter with Brighton and Hove Albion followed, resulting in a hard-fought 2-2 draw.

Next, Van Nistelrooy will lead his team to St James’ Park for a 3 pm kick-off against Newcastle United on Saturday.

Newcastle currently sit 12th in the Premier League table, while Leicester are 16th, just five points clear of the relegation zone.

Ahead of the fixture, Van Nistelrooy held a press conference on Thursday, sharing updates that could influence Leicester’s preparations.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Comments and Wout Faes’ Role

In his pre-match press conference, Van Nistelrooy provided a worrying injury update, confirming two players will miss the clash with Newcastle.

However, his comments also offered a potential boost for centre-back Wout Faes.

Faes had been a mainstay in Leicester’s lineup, starting an impressive 45 consecutive league matches, including games in the Championship.

But Van Nistelrooy opted to drop the 26-year-old for the fixtures against West Ham and Brighton, raising concerns about his role under the new manager.

Despite this, Van Nistelrooy’s remarks suggest Faes remains part of his plans.

According to Leicestershire Live, the manager emphasized the importance of all four of his centre-back options.

He stated: “They played well, like all starters, but I was pleased with the subs. They changed both games.

I’m glad I have four centre-backs; we’re going to need them all.”

Fans’ Divided Opinion on Wout Faes

While Van Nistelrooy’s comments might reassure Faes, many Leicester fans appear less convinced about his place in the team.

The club currently has one of the league’s worst defensive records, with the Belgian often criticized for his performances.

Supporters were particularly frustrated with Faes’ display during the 2-1 loss to Chelsea last month, which wasn’t an isolated incident in the 2024/25 season.

When Van Nistelrooy benched him ahead of the West Ham match, fans praised the decision, making their dissatisfaction clear.

As Leicester prepare for their next challenge, Faes may have an opportunity to rebuild his reputation, but it’s evident he faces significant scrutiny from the club’s supporters.