Cooper must take a significant risk with Facundo Buonanotte against Man Utd, as it will benefit Leicester City in the long run – opinion
Facundo Buonanotte has emerged as a key player for Leicester City since joining on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion.
Leicester City has every reason to be excited about Facundo Buonanotte’s impact since his arrival at the King Power Stadium.
The Argentine has emerged as a key player for the Foxes this season, contributing significantly to their attacking efforts with three goals and two assists in the Premier League.
Troy Deeney was particularly impressed with Buonanotte’s performance after Leicester mounted a comeback from 2-0 down to defeat relegation rivals Southampton recently.
Buonanotte’s agility and speed on the ball make him a pleasure to watch, leading to comparisons with some of the best players in the world.
In a recent interview, Buonanotte addressed the comparisons to Lionel Messi.
While he remained humble, the mere fact that he is being compared to such a renowned figure speaks volumes about his potential as a young talent.
It would be a significant setback for Leicester if manager Steve Cooper were to lose the Brighton loanee at any point this season.
As the Foxes prepare to face Manchester United in their next Premier League match on Saturday, Buonanotte finds himself walking a tightrope regarding suspension.
With four yellow cards already accumulated this term, another booking against the Red Devils would mean a suspension for Leicester’s first match back after the international break.
Despite the risk of suspension, Cooper must field Buonanotte against Manchester United. If he receives a yellow card, he would miss only the subsequent match against Chelsea.
Given that Chelsea currently sits fourth in the Premier League and is likely to pose a challenge for Leicester, the team would be better off having Buonanotte available for a more winnable match against Brentford later in November.
In addition to Buonanotte, Leicester also faces a decision regarding Jordan Ayew, who is in a similar situation with four yellow cards this season.
His presence has been crucial for the Foxes, so it may also be prudent for Cooper to start Ayew against Manchester United.
However, the prospect of having two key attackers potentially suspended could complicate Cooper’s decision-making process.
Ultimately, while both players are at risk of suspension, the benefits of having Buonanotte and Ayew on the pitch against Manchester United could outweigh the risks.
Leicester must balance the immediate need for points with the long-term implications of their players’ availability in the upcoming fixtures.
