Leicester City’s struggles continued with a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at the King Power Stadium, their fifth consecutive Premier League match without a victory.
The result leaves Steve Cooper’s side hovering precariously in 16th place, just two points above the relegation zone. While the scoreline may suggest a closely contested encounter, Leicester were clearly second-best throughout, offering little for Cooper to build on.
Among the disappointments was Wout Faes, whose erratic performance followed his unconvincing displays during the international break.
However, Faes wasn’t alone in his failings. His defensive partner Caleb Okoli also delivered a performance riddled with errors, leaving Leicester vulnerable at the back.
Caleb Okoli’s Troubles vs Chelsea
Leicester’s defensive fragility was laid bare in this match, with Okoli’s struggles emblematic of their issues. The opening goal saw Faes fail to clear in comical fashion, but Okoli’s own mistakes were equally damaging.
His lack of composure and awareness was glaring during Chelsea’s second goal. Nicolas Jackson outmuscled him with ease to win a header, setting up Enzo Fernandez for a straightforward finish.
Okoli’s performance was reflected in the statistics. According to SofaScore, he lost possession 16 times and misplaced 15 passes during the game, highlighting his inability to provide any solidity at the back. He was also dribbled past once, further exposing his defensive shortcomings.
Cooper Under Pressure
Leicester’s ongoing defensive frailties are raising serious questions about Cooper’s tenure. The manager’s position is already under scrutiny, with sections of the fanbase calling for a change.
The string of poor results, combined with persistent errors at the back, has only amplified the pressure on the Leicester boss.
“It is clear that Cooper must proactively seek to resolve these costly mistakes at the back as they could easily cost him his job,” noted Leicestershire Live.
“This must see him either switch around his centre-back options or take action in attempting to turn around the fortunes of his defensive pair.”
The defensive lapses, typified by Okoli and Faes’ performances, are jeopardising Leicester’s chances of stabilising their season.
Cooper’s challenge now is to address these recurring issues, either by shuffling his options or instilling greater confidence in his current defenders.
Despite the grim outlook, Cooper has managed to keep Leicester narrowly above the relegation zone. His tenure hasn’t been marked by exciting football, but with improved defensive organisation, the results might look more favorable.
However, the clock is ticking, and unless Leicester’s backline finds stability, Cooper’s time at the club may be cut short.
