Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City are suffering from an injury crisis, with the threat of relegation looming closer.
The Foxes were dismantled by Newcastle United at the St. James Park last Saturday. The hosts won 4-0, and despite the thrashing, Leicester will be happy that they managed to limit the Magpies to four goals. With star keeper Mads Hermansen taken off at half-time due to an injury, Newcastle quickly added two goals in the first five minutes in the second half. By the 60th minute, Danny Ward had conceded his third, and Leicester their fourth.
Leicester’s biggest problem this season has been their defending. They rank second worst in the league for two key defensive metrics – goals conceded (34) and expected goals allowed (33.6). Their inability to keep clean sheets was a major problem for Steve Cooper. While Van Nistelrooy’s appointment has led to the Foxes showing a bit more structure during possession, their defensive struggles remain.
Mads Hermansen adds to Leicester’s injury woes
Hermansen’s injury makes things much worse. The Denmark international has arguably been Leicester’s player of the season. He has bailed the Foxes out in multiple games, and there is no doubt that the team would have conceded many more goals had Hermansen not been starting. Van Nistelrooy stated that the goalkeeper has picked up a groin injury, but its severity is unknown. Should Hermansen be out for a lengthy period, Leicester will be in deep trouble.
To make things worse, the Foxes already have many key players sidelined. Star winger Abdul Fatawu will miss the entire season, and Ricardo Pereira is set to be available around March. Both Harry Winks and Wilfred Ndidi, Leicester’s first-choice midfield pairing, are injured. And now, first-choice keeper Hermansen and deputy Jakub Stolarczyk will also be sidelined for an unknown period.
Leicester staying up with a fully fit squad is possible but challenging. But with so many key players injured, it will be a miracle if the former Premier League champions manage to avoid relegation under Van Nistelrooy.
