Since signing for Leicester City last season, winger Stephy Mavididi has been one of the brightest attackers for the Foxes.
Following fan-favourite Harvey Barnes’ departure to Newcastle United, Leicester needed a left winger and identified Mavididi as a top target. The 26-year-old, an Arsenal academy graduate, was contracted with Montpellier and was signed for £7.5 million. There were initial doubts regarding his abilities, as Mavididi had scored just 26 goals and assisted six across four years. However, the winger has proved to be a good signing. He recorded 18 goal contributions in the EFL Championship last year and has been one of Leicester’s brightest sparks this season.
Steve Cooper initially preferred using new signing Bobby Decordova-Reid on the left, but as Leicester’s struggles in attack persisted, Mavididi was brought into the starting lineup. In his seven league appearances, the 26-year-old scored two goals but has yet to record an assist.
The winger always attempts to be direct, and his numbers back it up. Mavididi has an expected goals (xG) of 0.70, the third highest in the Leicester squad. His expected assists is 1.14, the highest in the team. Additionally, the 26-year-old ranks highest for progressive carries (15) and carries into the opposition box (four). Mavididi also works hard defensively, having made 11 tackles–surprisingly more than Wout Faes, Harry Winks, and Oliver Skipp managed.
Stephy Mavididi – direct but inconsistent
However, Mavididi has been highly inconsistent this season and frequently loses possession. His inconsistency is not just on a game-to-game basis but also within games. Mavididi has had some extremely contrasting halves, looking extremely dangerous in one half but practically invisible in the other.
The forward also tends to lose the ball too often. While his directness does mean that he will lose the ball more often than his teammates, Mavididi seems to take unnecessary risks at times, causing Leicester to be put under more pressure. His 17 dispossessions during carries is the highest in the squad.
Overall, Mavdidi looks like he belongs in the Premier League. He has been good this season but needs to improve his decision-making and consistency.
