Published: 25 July ‘2025. The English Chronicle Desk – The English Chronicle Online
As Leicester City’s preseason campaign intensifies, manager Marti Cifuentes is expected to field two distinct starting elevens in a double matchday that will provide crucial insights into his tactical thinking ahead of the Championship season. The matches—against Ukraine’s Karpaty Lviv and Bundesliga side FC Köln—offer contrasting challenges, and Cifuentes is anticipated to rotate heavily across both fixtures.
Following two promising victories in earlier preseason games, confidence runs high within the Leicester camp. However, the true test of this campaign’s ambitions lies in how well Cifuentes can utilise his squad depth, test tactical roles, and integrate younger players while building cohesion across the squad.
In the first of the two friendlies, against Karpaty Lviv, Cifuentes is expected to field what is largely seen as his “second string”—though that term may undersell the quality available. All eyes will be on Woyo Coulibaly, who is likely to earn his first start since joining Leicester during the previous January transfer window. Coulibaly’s presence, alongside seasoned defenders such as Ricardo Pereira, Jannik Vestergaard, and Caleb Okoli, should offer solidity at the back.
Pereira is tipped to reprise a hybrid role between right-back and defensive midfielder—a tactic previously utilised by Cifuentes to transition between a back-three and back-four formation. The midfield engine room will likely feature Boubakary Soumare’s progressive play, Will Alves’ vision, and the measured tempo-setting of Oliver Skipp. For Skipp, the match could be a proving ground after joining from Tottenham, with pressure mounting to make a meaningful impression.
Up front, youth standout Jake Evans is expected to lead the line, supported by Stephy Mavididi’s wide creativity and Jordan Ayew’s goal-scoring instincts. With Championship minutes on the line, Evans must use this opportunity to demonstrate that he can translate youth-level form into first-team impact.
The second fixture, against FC Köln, is being framed as the marquee encounter of the day. A robust, Bundesliga-level opponent presents a proper litmus test for Leicester’s potential starting XI for the upcoming season. The selection here is likely to closely mirror Cifuentes’ preferred eleven.
Jakub Stolarczyk is tipped to start in goal, with Luke Thomas, Wout Faes, and Conor Coady anchoring the defensive line. Hamza Choudhury is once again expected to operate in a hybrid defensive role—suggesting Cifuentes’ continued faith in this dynamic positional strategy.
Midfield looks to be a blend of control and flair. Harry Winks will provide composure and distribution, while Wilfred Ndidi brings tenacity and defensive coverage. The jewel in the crown is Bilal El Khannouss, whose creative prowess could become the heartbeat of Cifuentes’ midfield. Leicester’s ability to retain both Winks and Khannouss will be key to their campaign hopes.
In attack, Jeremy Monga is set to feature prominently as he prepares for his senior debut season. He’ll be flanked by Patson Daka—who has impressed in preseason—and Kasey McAteer, whose consistent performances are pushing him into first-team contention.
While preseason is often a time for experimentation, Marti Cifuentes seems intent on using these matches to lay solid foundations, not only tactically but psychologically, ahead of a demanding Championship campaign. The depth of Leicester’s squad—along with the blend of youth, experience, and versatility—could become their greatest asset as they pursue a swift return to the Premier League.
Both fixtures in Austria serve as a stage not just for performance, but for selection battles, system trials, and long-term planning. In what has already been a summer of transformation at the King Power Stadium, this double-header may offer the clearest window yet into the identity of Cifuentes’ Leicester City.
