In his pre-match press conference before the game against Stoke City, Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca criticized defender Wout Faes for lapses in concentration during crucial moments in matches. After suffering relegation in the previous season, Leicester is eager to make a swift return to the top flight under the guidance of former Pep Guardiola assistant coach Maresca. Despite their strong performance, Maresca has identified a weakness in his team, particularly in the £15 million defender, Wout Faes. Speaking to the media ahead of their match against struggling Stoke City, Maresca expressed his concerns, stating, “I’ve had numerous conversations with Wout (Faes). I believe he has the potential to become a top-tier central defender. However, he must realize that the key is to remain fully engaged, focused, and consistently give 100% effort.”
Maresca emphasized that there are instances during games where Faes appears to lose concentration, and he stressed the importance of Faes maintaining focus for the entire 95 minutes of a match. Maresca pointed out that the distinction between a top central defender and a good one lies in their ability to remain focused throughout the entire game.
The writer’s perspective is that Faes’ tendency to lose focus during games was a significant weakness for Leicester City during their relegation season, and Maresca is determined to address this issue to improve their chances of escaping the challenging division. While acknowledging Faes’ talent as a defender and his potential to be a key player for Leicester this season, the writer also highlights the need for Faes to eliminate errors stemming from lapses in concentration.
Despite significant squad changes during the summer, Leicester has been playing outstanding football in the Championship, currently leading the table. They boast the highest goal-scoring record in the league and have conceded the fewest goals, making them a formidable force in England’s second tier.
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