Former Leicester City winger Matt Piper has been discussing the difficulties that the Foxes might be having in their search for a new number 10.
Earlier in pre-season, boss Steve Cooper told BBC Radio Leicester: “I don’t mind saying that we do need to add there. We are playing players in the number 10 that wouldn’t naturally play there all the time, so that’s certainly an area of the pitch we are looking at.”
Piper explained why it might be “taking a bit of time” for the club to find the right fit, telling the latest When You’re Smiling podcast: “I’m hoping it happens this week.
“Cooper has already sent a little message to the club to let them know that for the 4-2-3-1 system, it doesn’t work unless you have the type of player that can take it on his back foot and be clever, creative and intelligent on the ball.
“Currently, the players we are using in there – as the manager has said himself – are not natural number 10s. Guys that haven’t played there on a consistent basis seem to run around aimlessly and never get the ball.
“For example, if you look up and see they aren’t in the right position, you will think twice about giving it to them because if they lose it, the gaffer will blame you.”
The former City player added: “Finding a number 10 is very difficult and that is why they generally go for the most money.
“Cooper had an unbelievable number 10 in Morgan Gibbs-White at Nottingham Forest. That is the sort of player they will be looking for. Forest paid £40m for him, a player that wasn’t getting much game time at Wolves, so that shows you these players demand a high price.
“I think that might be why it’s taking a bit of time to try to find the right fit.”
Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds
Steve Cooper,Matt Piper,BBC Radio Leicester,number 10,natural number,Leicester City,the number 10,Nottingham Forest,Morgan Gibbs-White,Wolves
