Leicester City supporters have given up on the hope of retaining their top-flight status, although Ruud van Nistelrooy could make one decision that would go down well at the London Stadium.
Leicester travel to West Ham on Thursday night, in what is a full circle moment for Ruud van Nistelrooy as a manager.
The Dutchman took charge of his first game for the club when Leicester beat West Ham 3-1 in the Premier League in December, sparking a brilliant start to a new era.
Since then, it couldn’t have gone much worse for the 48-year-old, who has lost 10 of his last 11 matches in the league, with even Brentford handing Leicester a 4-0 drubbing on Friday night.
Frustrations boiled over in that game as fans called for Van Nistelrooy to be sacked at full-time, with one decision proving why supporters are on his back.
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Ruud van Nistelrooy must start Facundo Buonanotte vs West Ham
It was a hugely embarrassing performance last time out, and cases can be made to drop most of the starting lineup, with only Jamie Vardy and Bilal El Khannouss perhaps deserving to keep their place.
There is also one other star who is knocking on the managers’ door after impressing each time he’s on the pitch, and that is Facundo Buonanotte.
Leicester fans cheered when Buonanotte was substituted on against Brentford, with the Argentine becoming somewhat of a fan favourite since joining on loan from Brighton.
The silky Argentine playmaker was phenomenal for Steve Cooper, returning four goals and two assists in 10 appearances under the Welshman.
Sadly, Buonanotte has been restricted to just two league starts since Van Nistelrooy tookover, despite being one of the Foxes’ brightest sparks this term.
Facundo Buonanotte’s stats vs Brentford
- 35 minutes played
- 28 touches
- 13/19 accurate passes (68%)
- 2 crosses
- 1 successful dribble
- 2 shots blocked
The 20-year-old was inarguably the liveliest of Leicester’s attacking contingent, and regardless of the managers’ apparent agenda, he must recognise his impact and start him against West Ham.
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Van Nistelrooy’s problem with Buonanotte
Realistically, Buonanotte should come in for Bobby De Cordova Reid on the right wing, as he was awful against Brentford.
However, the Argentine’s best position is as an attacking midfielder, mostly playing there under Cooper and even starting as a number 10 when Leicester beat West Ham in the reverse fixture.
Of course, with Bilal El Khannouss flourishing in that role, it makes it difficult to justify swapping the Belgian’s position just to accommodate Buonanotte.
That being said, El Khannouss did start as a left winger against the Hammers, and perhaps Van Nistelrooy can replicate that formula to get the Brighton loanee playing centrally.