Steve Cooper must look past one of his options after a shaky international break.
Leicester City are set to face fellow-promoted side Southampton this weekend, in what already looks to be a relegation six-pointer at this early stage of the Premier League campaign.
The Foxes will be hoping to get a win over the side that have picked up just the one point so far in the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, and doing so they will like turn to the likes of Facundo Buonanotte and Jamie Vardy, both of which have been in solid form so far.
Buonanotte isn’t the only signing that has been proving to be a solid option for Steve Cooper’s side, as Caleb Okoli has proven to be a shrewd purchase at the back for the Foxes, and has looked to be a decent enough option alongside Wout Faes, something that will make one decision easier this weekend for the Leicester City boss.
Steve Cooper must not opt for Jannik Vestergaard for Leicester City game vs Southampton
Leicester City will want to ensure that they bring out a team full of confidence following the international break to ensure they have the best chances of coming away with a crucial win against the Saints, and bearing that in mind, it would be best practice to leave Jannik Vestergaard out of the side for the game.
In a recent 2-2 draw for his national side Denmark against Switzerland, Vestergaard looked somewhat off-the-pace after shipping two goals whilst playing at the centre of a back-three, with Danish media outlet BT suggesting that he created ‘big problems’ for all the wrong reasons.
Vestergaard has started just two Premier League games this season, and whilst he would want to grasp an opportunity to play against his former side, Cooper must look elsewhere.
Vestergaard form blow will be cushioned by form of Caleb Okoli
Cooper will be glad that Okoli is performing to a high standard, and he must ensure that he is chosen in the upcoming grudge match ahead of Vestergaard, who certainly struggled over the international break.
The Italian youngster has ensured that Leicester City have been somewhat more stable at the back, and for a 23-year-old with no prior experience in the Premier League or even England, it is a sign of brilliant things to come.
He was particularly pivotal in the 1-0 win against Bournemouth before the break, where he put his body on the line on countless occasions, and managed to succumb the threat of the opposition’s attack.
Leicester City boss Cooper will most certainly be hoping that the centre-back can once again make the difference this weekend by tallying a second consecutive clean sheet for the Foxes, and it will be stunning if for whatever reason he was dropped for the out-of-form Vestergaard.