Leicester City have struggled to take their chances in recent weeks.
Enzo Maresca‘s side have suffered back-to-back defeats to Millwall and Plymouth Argyle and in both games, they failed to convert their chances.
A concerning statistic emerged last week which highlighted Leicester‘s main issue that could cost them automatic promotion.
Many have pointed the finger at Patson Daka of late after squandering a number of golden opportunities and there have been question marks over why he’s still in the team.
Tactics expert Dominic Wells has explained why Maresca is opting to keep him in the line-up, ahead of Jamie Vardy, Kelechi Iheanacho and Tom Cannon.
Tactics expert says Patson Daka is the most well-rounded number nine
Speaking on BBC Radio Leicester’s When You’re Smiling podcast, Wells delivered a thought-provoking assessment of Daka’s strengths and why he’s favoured over some of the other strikers at the club.
“The most well-rounded number nine Leicester City have is Patson Daka,” the tactics guru said.
“In a Maresca system, you need to have a little bit more versatility in your play. The number nine has to do so many different things.
“They have to be able to drop and receive the ball to feet which I think the best player at the club in doing that is Kelechi Iheanacho.
“You need to be able to stretch the defence by making runs in behind their shape, which I think the best at the club at that is probably Vardy although maybe he’s losing that pace and that’s where Patson Daka does have a hell of a lot of pace, so he’s really good at stretching them like that as well.”
Wells continued: “But then they also need to be exceptionally good out of possession, they need to be able to press and what Daka does is he’s relentless in his press.”
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Patson Daka just needs a goal
As Wells alluded to, Daka’s all round game is actually really strong, it’s just his end product that needs to be improved on.
You just feel if he can get one goal, it’ll do him the world of good and perhaps he’d go on a run then, exactly like he did when he first got into the side.
The Zambia international is an instinctive finisher and often takes chances first time, which of late has only amplified his lack of composure.
Though, that’s always been his game dating back to his RB Salzburg days, so he needs to keep persevering and eventually it will come off for him.