Steve Cooper Discusses Leicester City’s Right Flank Issues Ahead of Key Decision

Leicester City’s defensive struggles on the right flank have highlighted a need for a team-wide solution, though manager Steve Cooper has been clear he won’t single out individual players.

Fans have increasingly pointed to this vulnerability, particularly noting the performances of James Justin, who has played as Leicester’s regular right-back in nearly every Premier League game this season, aside from their recent defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Justin, 26, could potentially shift back to his preferred left-back role against Ipswich, with Victor Kristiansen now available and in contention to return to the left side.

However, Cooper emphasized that the responsibility doesn’t fall solely on Justin.

The role of an advanced full-back, especially for a player like Justin, demands he supports Leicester’s attacks in a winger-like role while also being available to defend quickly against counter-attacks.

This dual responsibility has at times left him exposed, as seen in the goals Leicester conceded early against Fulham and Southampton, where Justin was outnumbered in defensive situations.

“If we’re talking about the right-hand side and conceding goals, I don’t think we should just talk about JJ,” Cooper explained.

“Of course, he’s involved, but it’s not like he’s the only one responsible for defending that side.

There are center-backs, midfielders, and even forwards who contribute to the right flank’s defensive structure.”

Cooper underlined that handling the workload on both sides of the pitch requires coordination and teamwork across the squad.

“We’ve got to manage the work with and without the ball across every area of the pitch.

It’s a collective challenge and part of the job. This is a team issue, not an individual one,” he said.

“Next week, there will be different topics, both positive and negative. The goal is to continue working together, maintaining belief in our approach, and developing our game.”

This weekend, Cooper faces a tactical decision at full-back.

Kristiansen’s recovery from a groin injury now gives him the option to deploy his preferred defensive duo, with Kristiansen on the left and Justin on the right.

But with Ricardo Pereira’s recent return to action—his first Premier League appearance of the season against Nottingham Forest—there is added flexibility in their line-up.

Against Forest, Cooper experimented by using Ricardo in an inverted role in midfield, a tactic borrowed from former manager Enzo Maresca’s system.

Should Ricardo not feature, Leicester would likely revert to Cooper’s standard formation, where one full-back plays high up the pitch in an almost winger-like capacity.

It’s expected that Justin, who has logged the most minutes of any Leicester player this season, will retain his place, especially after his full-match outing against Manchester United in midweek.