Tragic Leicester have only a point after seven league rounds. What’s wrong with the Foxes?

Leicester have not started this season well at all. After 7 rounds they are in last place, they have only a point for the draw with Brentford and 22 goals conceded means the worst ever defence in the league. If Brendan Rodgers’ team continues these performances, the fight for salvation will not pass them by. What is wrong with the Foxes at the moment?

In the last game before the national break, things were looking pretty promising. At Tottenham, Leicester took the lead in the 6th minute thanks to a Tielemans penalty and although Spurs managed to turn it around, Maddison equalised before half-time to make it 2-2.

But that was it for the visitors and in the end it was a clear home win 6: 2 and the second debacle in a row for the Foxes after they lost to Brighton 2: 5 in the previous round.

How is it possible that Leicester are doing so badly at the moment? Despite the departures of some important players, this is still a quality team with a quality coach that should definitely not be playing for salvation. However, it is currently facing some serious problems that are bringing it down.

The first one is definitely defending standard situations. This is nothing new at Leicester, and last season the Foxes were the worst in the league in this respect, conceding 19 times from standard situations. This season they continue this trend, so far they have conceded 5 times, which is again the highest number in the Premier League.

Moreover, it was from standard situations that they scored their first two goals in the game against Spurs. Last season, Rodgers’ charges made it to the semi-finals of the European Conference League, where they were knocked out by AS Roma – thanks to Abraham’s goal from a corner.

Leicester engaged standard situation specialist Knudsen during the summer, but he only joined the club during September due to waiting for a work permit. The Foxes must hope his arrival will have an immediate effect, they desperately need it.

Another problem for the team is that they struggle to create quality chances. While ten goals scored in 7 games isn’t a tragedy, the team’s xG is only 6.62, with only Aston Villa and Bournemouth being worse.

The Foxes are also brought down by the poor form of their players. Ward has certainly not convinced in goal and has so far shown only that the team cannot rely on him.

The attack (apart from Maddison) is unusually unproductive. Barnes, who contributed 25 goals across all competitions last season, has a single hit this season. Spurs strikers Vardy, Daka and Iheanacho have scored just 2 goals between them.

Last seasons mainstay Ndidi is not playing in scintillating form either. The defence is also not in an ideal state – Leicester were badly hurt by not being able to reinforce with quality due to the unfavourable financial situation and respond to the departure of Fofana.

In short, the start of the season has found the Foxes in the worst possible frame of mind. Perhaps the only reason why coach Rodgers hasn’t taken it away yet is that the club can’t afford to sack him either.

The season is still very long and many experts agree that Leicester simply have too good a squad to fight for relegation. However, picking up points needs to start as soon as possible.

Rodgers and his charges will now have a good opportunity to do so. In the opening rounds they had to face teams from the Big 6 4 times (3 of them away), now the lot will be more favourable to them.

First they have a home game against struggling Nottingham on Monday, followed by games against Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Leeds and Wolves. If the Foxes don’t get enough points from these games, they are probably not in for a pleasant season.

Sources: The Athletic, Understat