Leicester City slipped to yet another defeat on Wednesday night as Manchester City were the latest to dish out the punishment.
Leicester’s 2-0 loss against Man City was their 14th in 15 league matches, as Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men didn’t even put up a fight, recording an xG of just 0.02.
It’s now eight matches without scoring for City and there has been no sign of the tide turning, with fans calling for Van Nistelrooy to resign.
The Dutchman made some questionable decisions at the Etihad Stadium, including substituting Oliver Skipp for Jamie Vardy at half-time with the score at 2-0.
But arguably, an even bigger call was leaving one player on the bench who was part of the Championship title win last term.
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Ruud van Nistelrooy left Stephy Mavididi on the bench against Man City
Van Nistelrooy made five substitutions in the game, and yet, there was no minutes on the pitch for winger Stephy Mavididi.
The 48-year-old instead chose to bring on Facundo Buonanotte and Jordan Ayew, leaving Mavididi perhaps questioning what he has to do to earn an opportunity.
In the Championship title win last term, the Frenchman was a crucial player under Enzo Maresca, recording 12 goals and six assists in 2023/24.
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Mavididi’s lightning-quick pace and incredible dribbling terrorised second tier defences but unfortunately, stepping up to the Premier League has been difficult.
A return of just three goals in 27 top-flight appearances suggests he’s found it tough, although 13 of those matches have come from the bench.
Realistically, with his pace and how he commits defenders, it’s baffling how Van Nistelrooy isn’t bringing him on at 2-0 down, especially because he’s bound to tear up the Championship next term.
Mavididi and Abdul Fatawu can rip up the Championship once more
In the 2023/24 campaign, Mavididi and Abdul Fatawu were unplayable as the duo registered a whopping 37 goal involvements between them.
Unfortunately, Fatawu’s ACL injury in November has resulted in him missing the rest of the campaign, and that was a huge blow to the Foxes.
However, they can be excited about the Ghanian returning to play alongside Mavididi once more in the Championship, with the pair set to rip up the second tier once more.
Leicester fans experienced joy when the duo were fielded together and that can be a source of excitement in 2025/26, as long as both players aren’t sold.