6 New Year's Resolutions for Leicester in 2020

After a hugely successful 2019 with Brendan Rodgers at the helm, Leicester City go into 2020 firmly in contention to secure a Champions League ​spot. 

The Foxes went on a club record winning run of eight consecutive Premier League victories to send them into second and have many listing them as possible title contenders. 

However, results over the Christmas period - a draw with Norwich, defeat to Manchester City and a humbling against Liverpool - demonstrated that Leicester are not quite the finished product just yet.

Here are six New Year's Resolutions for Leicester in 2020.


Sort Out the Left Flank

Ben Chilwell

During defeats to Manchester City and Liverpool, poor Ben Chilwell was really up against it. The left back received little help when pitted up against both Kevin De Bruyne ​and Riyad Mahrez at the Etihad, and Trent Alexander-Arnold ran riot four days later.

Against Liverpool, James Maddison was deployed in an unfamiliar left wing role, and he often drifted inside to a more natural central position. This left Chilwell really exposed on the left hand side, as Alexander-Arnold produced a match winning performance from right back.

The Foxes will not come up against the quality of De Bruyne, Mahrez and Alexander-Arnold every week, but they must plan to sure up their left hand side when the Premier League's elite come calling.


Keep Jamie Vardy Wrapped in Cotton Wool

Jamie Vardy

​Leicester's most dangerous player this season has undoubtably been ​Jamie Vardy - the Foxes striker is the Premier League's top scorer with 17 goals. 

Vardy's greatest asset is his pace and energy, and Brendan Rodgers has got the very best out of the striker by altering his game so that he no longer chases down every ball, and saves his energy for getting in behind the opposition defence. 

Due to retiring from England duty, Vardy has also been ​enjoying the international breaks off to enable him to recuperate. Preserving Vardy's pace and energy is so key to Leicester's success, and Leicester should ensure they protect their star man in whatever way possible in 2020.


Really Go for it in the Carabao Cup

Jamie Vardy,Kasper Schmeichel

This is such a fantastic Leicester City side, it would be a crying shame if they never claim any silverware to show for their efforts (I'm looking at you, Pochettino). Leicester face ​Aston Villa in the semi finals of the Carabao Cup, offering the club a great shot at a trip to Wembley and an opportunity to lift a trophy. 

This is a competition Leicester have a real history in, having won the League Cup twice in four years under Martin O'Neill in 1997 and 2000. Go on Brendan, really go for it.


Take the FA Cup Seriously

FBL-ENG-PR-WEST HAM-LEICESTER

Go on Brendan, why not go for the double?

Given the 11 point cushion Leicester have over fifth place Manchester United, the club could afford to really go for it in the FA Cup too. The Foxes should be expected to progress against Wigan at home in the third round​ and from then on you've just got to let the magic of the cup do its thing. 


Leicester have such a talented crop of players at the moment, a piece of silverware the least they deserve.


Add Some Depth to the Squad

Harry Kane,Caglar Soyuncu,Jonny Evans

The Foxes need to invest shrewdly in January. A lack of depth was evident over the Christmas period as they came unstuck during the hectic run of fixtures, so bringing in a selection of players to beef out the squad would be beneficial (particularly if Rodgers is going to go for the Carabao Cup - FA Cup double). 

However, much like in Leicester's title winning campaign, a strength of the team is their togetherness and mentality, so the club should not make an abundance of signings and risk upsetting the squad harmony.

Potentially bringing in another central defender would be wise, as a replacement for Harry Maguire was never signed over the summer. Jonny Evans and Çağlar Söyüncü have been largely outstanding this season, but City's defensive frailties were exposed against Liverpool and Manchester City, suggesting some defensive cover would be advised.


Keep Brendan Rodgers at All Costs

Brendan Rodgers

Rogers showed real faith in the club when ​putting pen to paper on a ​bumper new six-year contract earlier in the season. The Leicester City board must do everything in their power to ensure he remains at the King Power.

 Although Rodgers' situation at Leicester is vastly different to when he left Swansea for Liverpool in 2015 - he had arguably taken Swansea as far as he could, while at Leicester the infrastructure is there to really build something - if a particularly big club came calling, wouldn't Rodgers struggle to turn them down? 

Leicester should continue to do all they can to keep Rodgers sweet, such is the staggering impact he has already had.



Source : 90min