LEICESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: Leicester City Manager Enzo Maresca speaks during the Leicester City press conference at Leicester City Training Ground, Seagrave on August 11, 2023 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
During his pre-match news conference ahead of today’s game against Stoke City, Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca chastised defender Wout Faes for becoming silent at important periods in games.
After being demoted in unprecedented fashion last season, the Foxes are hoping to return to the top flight at the first time of asking under Pep Guardiola’s former assistant coach Maresca.
Leicester have been playing fantastic football in the Championship thus far, and despite a significant change in the squad over the summer, the team is currently top of the table.
No team has scored more goals than Maresca’s men this season, and the former Premier League champions have also conceded the fewest goals in England’s second division.
However, the Italian manager has discovered a hole in his team in the form of £15 million defender Wout Faes. Maresca, speaking to the press ahead of today’s game against struggling Stoke City, has chastised the Belgian for losing focus during games. [quotes courtesy of Caught Offside]:
“I’ve talked with Wout (Faes) several times. He has the ability to be a big-team central defender in my opinion. But, at the same time, he must recognize that the only way to succeed is to stay focused and to always give his all.
“Because you can see there are some moments during the games where he appears to be absent from the game.” If he can stay focused for 95 minutes, he’ll be a good central defender.
“The difference between a top central defender and a good central defender is that they are able to be focused for 95 minutes in the game.”
Author’s Opinion
Faes’ inability to switch off during games was an Achilles’ Heel for Leicester City during their relegation last season, and Maresca is well aware of this. If the Foxes want to escape this merciless league, he will want to avoid stupid mistakes.
The Belgium international is a very excellent defender who can be one of Leicester’s most important players this season, but errors due to lack of concentration must be eliminated from his game.
