Enzo Maresca has admitted he’s sad about not being able to one Leicester City player more opportunities this season.
Leicester are cantering towards the Championship title and several stars have helped them on their way.
Enzo Maresca’s defence, usually comprising of Mads Hermansen, Wout Faes and Jannik Vestergaard has been watertight while his midfield and attack have been incredible.
Harry Winks and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall as a midfield partnership have been tremendous.
Abdul Fatawu on the right and Stephy Mavididi on the left have also been devastating since arriving in the summer.
Although he’s been helped by his huge financial backing, Maresca has built the correct formula for promotion.
The Italian couldn’t be happier with how the season has planned out so far, but he is sad about not being able to give some of his other players more playing time.
One of those is the only player left from their title-winning campaign, Marc Albrighton.
Enzo Maresca wishes he could give Marc Albrighton more opportunities
With the likes of Mavididi, Fatawu and Kasey McAteer getting the nod in the wide positions, Albrighton has rarely been given a look in this season.
On Saturday, however, he was given his first start since September and he repaid his manager by supplying the cross for Cesare Casadei to head in the opener against Millwall.
Albrighton hasn’t started a league match for the Foxes this season and although that is likely to continue against Coventry City at the weekend, the fans still love him for what he’s achieved at the King Power.
When he does make a rare appearance on the field, he is serenaded by the Leicester supporters with Maresca echoing that sentiment.
He said: “To be honest, I love Marc. He’s fantastic, he works every day, he’s very professional, he’s a good guy. He helps everyone.
“He knows the club better than me for sure, but more than many, many people. He’s fantastic. I’m a little bit sad that I could not give him more chances. But he completely understands. Marc is fantastic.”
Does Albrighton deserve more starts?
In what could be his final season at Leicester with his contract expiring in the summer, Albrighton will be doing everything he can to put himself in the shop window.
Given he’s rarely played in the Championship, it’s highly unlikely he’ll sign a new deal at the King Power, especially if they do wrap up promotion to the Premier League.
The Englishman probably accepts he can’t match the level of quality that Mavididi and Fatawu provide, though he did show against the Lions that can he still deliver in the final third.
With opportunities in the league at a premium, the 34-year-old should get to play in the FA Cup once more when Leicester take on either Birmingham or Hull City at the end of this month.