Leicester City fans must be feeling a sense of déjà vu as the Foxes suffered yet another defeat, this time a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa on Saturday, marking their fifth consecutive Premier League setback.
Despite a determined effort, Leicester equalised through Stephy Mavididi just six minutes after Ross Barkley opened the scoring in the second half.
However, their hard work was undone by a misplaced pass from James Justin, which allowed Leon Bailey to capitalize on Ian Maatsen’s cross and secure the win for Villa.
Frustrations among Leicester supporters are mounting, with many calling for Justin to be dropped following a string of costly mistakes. Manager Ruud van Nistelrooy also appeared to indirectly criticize Justin in his post-match comments.
The situation has been further complicated by the injury to Ricardo Pereira, leaving Leicester short of options at right-back. While the club was linked with Hiroki Sekine late last year, no significant progress has been made on that front.
This has led fans to speculate about internal solutions, with many pinpointing a loaned-out academy talent as a potential fix.
Leicester Fans Push for Brandon Cover to Replace James Justin
A name gaining traction among supporters is Brandon Cover, a young right-back currently shining on loan at League Two side Port Vale.
The Leicester academy graduate made his senior debut in the FA Cup last season and was sent to Port Vale to gain first-team experience.
Cover’s performances have been impressive, leading some fans to believe he could step up and take over from Justin.
One supporter wrote: “Idc bring him back, he can’t be worse than Justin,” with another responding: “Was very good when he got his chance under Enzo.”
A third fan added: “BRING BACK BRANDON COVER,” while another commented: “We genuinely cannot persist with James Justin at right-back. Something has to change.”
Cover’s Loan Success Highlights His Potential
Cover’s loan spell at Port Vale has been a standout success, with the 21-year-old delivering performances that have even prompted Vale fans to call for his stay to be made permanent.
Statistically, Cover is outperforming Justin in several key areas, apart from aerial duels won and assists. His development suggests he could be a ready-made replacement for Leicester’s embattled right-back.
With Leicester likely to face financial constraints in the current transfer window, recalling Cover could provide a cost-effective solution to their defensive struggles.
For a team desperate to turn their season around, bringing the academy star back into the fold might just be the bold move they need.
