LEICESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 6: Leicester City Manager Enzo Maresca celebrates with his players after Stephy Mavididi of Leicester City scores to make it 2-1 during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leicester City and Birmingham City at King Power Stadium on April 6, 2024 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Leicester’s Woes Continue as Van Nistelrooy’s Decisions Raise Eyebrows
Leicester City endured another tough night on Wednesday, suffering a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in a match that saw them offer little resistance.
The loss marked their 14th defeat in 15 Premier League games, with Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side managing an xG of just 0.02—barely threatening the opposition. The Foxes have now gone eight matches without scoring, showing no signs of improvement, and fans are growing increasingly vocal in their calls for the Dutchman to step down.
Van Nistelrooy’s tactics at the Etihad raised questions, particularly his halftime decision to replace Oliver Skipp with Jamie Vardy when trailing 2-0. However, his most puzzling move may have been leaving out a key player from last season’s Championship-winning squad.
Stephy Mavididi Benched Against Man City
Despite making five substitutions, Van Nistelrooy opted not to give Stephy Mavididi any game time, instead bringing on Facundo Buonanotte and Jordan Ayew.
Mavididi, a vital figure under Enzo Maresca in Leicester’s promotion campaign, contributed 12 goals and six assists last season. His blistering pace and dribbling ability made him a nightmare for Championship defenders, but adapting to the Premier League has proven challenging.
With just three goals in 27 top-flight appearances—13 of those as a substitute—Mavididi has struggled for consistency. However, given his ability to stretch defenses, it remains baffling why he wasn’t introduced at 2-0 down, particularly when Leicester are likely to rely on him heavily should they return to the Championship.
Mavididi and Fatawu Set to Dominate the Championship Again
During Leicester’s title-winning campaign, Mavididi and Abdul Fatawu formed a lethal attacking duo, combining for 37 goal involvements. However, Fatawu’s ACL injury in November ended his season prematurely, dealing a major blow to the Foxes.
Looking ahead, Leicester fans can find hope in the prospect of the pair reuniting in the Championship next season—assuming they are not sold. Their past performances suggest they could once again tear apart second-tier defenses, offering Leicester a major boost in their potential promotion push.
