Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca is wary of the threat Leeds United trio Crysencio Summerville, Daniel James and Wilfried Gnonto could pose in Friday’s crunch Championship clash.
Of course, being aware of Leeds United’s attacking talents is one thing. Stopping them, as Huddersfield Town found out last weekend, is another.
Huddersfield found themselves 4-0 down as the whistle blew for half-time at Elland Road, Daniel James and Crysencio Summerville scoring twice apiece as Daniel Farke’s jet-heeled frontline tore into their Yorkshire rivals like a malnourished wolf into a raw rump steak.
James and Summerville have been in outstanding form in recent weeks. The latter in particular. And that is without mentioning Wilfried Gnonto, the Italy international and arguably the most highly-rated member of Farke’s squad.
“We know they are good in transition, but they are not only good in transition,” Maresca tells the Leicester Mercury. “Summerville, James, Gnonto… They are very quick. We need to be careful.”
Leicester can move a remarkable 17 points clear of third-place Leeds with a win at the King Power Stadium tonight. Another triumph would be their 14th in 15 league games since relegation.
Former Manchester City assistant and Pep Guardiola lookalike Maresca, meanwhile, is keen to ensure that Leicester retain their control and their composure, restricting Leeds’ ability to utilise that rapid-fire pace in counter-attack situations.
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“More than ever, we need many passes before we attack,” the Italian adds. “If we attack quick, they will attack quick. We don’t want that.”
“It’s a special night. But I don’t see any difference from the Sunderland game (the Foxes beat the Black Cats 1-0 in late-October). It’s the same amount of points. Three points (against) QPR (last time out) and three points tomorrow.”
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