Calling out Leicester City’s most disappointing and highly paid performers is no small task. There are simply too many players at the club right now failing to justify their status or wages. That reality means this assessment could run long. Still, interim boss Andy King needs a dramatic uplift in output if this group is to have any hope of rescuing what has become a deeply worrying campaign.
Several senior figures, along with a handful of less prominent names, now face serious questions about their value. Their lack of consistency and tendency to vanish in matches Leicester should be winning played a major role in Marti Cifuentes losing his job. Buckle up, Foxes supporters. This process is unlikely to be comfortable, but it feels unavoidable as yet another period of upheaval unfolds at the King Power Stadium.
Cifuentes walked into one of the toughest roles in English football, yet he also made errors of his own. Issues around motivation and organisation stood out, even if it is fair to say that very few managers would coax strong performances from the current Leicester XI.
A good place to start examining the problems is Leicester Mercury’s player ratings from the weekend defeat to Oxford United. If that loss has already been pushed to the back of your mind, it saw City beaten at home by a side with far fewer resources.
Goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk was among the most concerning performers. His sharpness and confidence appear to be draining away with each passing week. He was handed a rating of three after an erratic display against Oxford, and even his better moments this season have been littered with mistakes. Against West Brom, a game often cited as a strong showing, he still spilled crosses, failed to command his area and made questionable punches, forcing defenders into recovery mode. One outstanding save masked those flaws and earned him individual praise that felt generous.
In defence, Caleb Okoli and Jannik Vestergaard both received fours, while Hamza Choudhury and Louis Page fared little better with ratings of three and four. Further forward, Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Jordan Ayew once again struggled to make an impact and were marked down accordingly.
Beyond that defeat, several other players have underwhelmed throughout the season. Luke Thomas stands out as a major concern at left back, with his performances raising serious doubts about his level. Stephy Mavididi, despite his obvious talent, has failed to deliver consistently and offered little support to his former manager. Harry Winks’ repeated unavailability has also drawn criticism, with questions being asked about his commitment during a crucial period for the club.
For Leicester to move forward, these players must start justifying their place. Without a sharp rise in standards, no managerial change will be enough to halt the slide.