Ex-Liverpool & Villa star says Leicester mess not van Nistelrooy's fault

In partnership with

FanSided World Football

·27. Februar 2025

Ex-Liverpool & Villa star says Leicester mess not van Nistelrooy's fault

A former Liverpool, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest star has given anyone associated with Leicester City some comments and a reality to think about. The retired forward, who was highly rated when playing the game a few decades ago, is now a pundit. The person in question played for many other notable clubs. Not to mention managing Wrexham, then Doncaster Rovers, Premier League outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers, Crawley Town and Chesterfield. Regarding the Foxes, the expert analyst believes Ruud van Nistelrooy has been rather unfortunate due to the current King Power status and capacity.

While a guest on talkSPORT, Dean Saunders talked of the mess the ex-Manchester United man walked into on Filbert Way. Saunders goes so far as to say LCFC defenders will hit their own self-destruct button. He is particularly worried that the east Midlands side have no confidence. Noting their often calamitous performances and unenviable instances. I must agree that City implode on a regular basis - like, every week. And the defence is indeed the most insufficient aspect of the entire Foxes side.

OneFootball Videos

Though, and slightly strangely, Saunders believes non of this is van Nistelrooy's fault. While I agree the Dutchman inherited the exact opposite squad and situation to fellow countryman Arne Slot at Liverpool, RvN has gotten an increasing amount wrong at Leicester. The latter hasn't helped himself of late with uncompetitive, predictable tactics and similarly unchaged and unchallenged starting lineups subsequent to defeats. He also hasn't improved the back line but made it worse. But what did the 60-year-old declare of LCFC exactly? Some speculation is accurate, whilst some is untrue.

Dean Saunders on Leicester City and Ruud van Nistelrooy

Saunders also predicted mistakes galore versus Graham Potter's men. The former expects one Fox or another to pass the ball to West Ham danger man Jarrod Bowen. Yet he's sympathetic over RvN's position:

"It’s not his fault, by the way, he's walked into a mess, and that's when you normally do get a job unless you're [Arne] Slot, who's walked into a Bentley – but he's walked into a mess, with no confidence and he's trying to keep them up and so it's not really his fault,” Saunders told talkSPORT.“But what I would say is, self-destruct. Leicester, I'll guarantee you tonight, right. I'll bet you any money you like that one of their defenders passes the ball to Jarrod Bowen in front of their own goal."Dean Saunders, LCFC Live