Who should play right-back for Leicester City when everyone’s fit?
The return of Ricardo Pereira to first team action last weekend was the icing on the cake at the end of a wonderful afternoon for Leicester City.
But if he finds full fitness and form during the rest of this season and James Justin is back over the summer - who’s first choice?
My heart says Ricardo, head says Castagne.
I think the truth is that we need to see it to believe it's still there with our Portuguese pal. This season, I think it's Castagne first and Ricardo might get more runs further forward.
Longer term, I wonder if Castagne is a cut candidate for the summer. We can pencil Kristiansen in at left back, so either James Justin is just cover or he can go back to his natural side, where Justin's speed alongside Souttar feels like a good combination. It seems a little infeasible for Leicester to then go into next season with three right backs.
Castagne attracted interest last year, and could be a way for us to strengthen in more pressing positions - central midfield, in goal, Tete.
With so many players leaving for free, we need to be creative to finance the next phase of Project Refresh, and keeping more right backs than Gareth Southgate is probably an indulgence too far.
James Knight
Having recently had only one viable full-back, it's pretty mad to think that we could end up with three really good right-backs alone from the start of next season.
Of course, that relies on all of them staying fit – about as likely as seeing Nampalys Mendy score Wilfred Ndidi getting an effort on target – but still... a nice thought.
Let's just assume for a second that Tete is still here at that point, meaning we'll have to pick someone whose attacking instincts don't involve getting to the byline and becoming an extra forward (we'll always have 2018-20, Ricardo...).
By now I’m flagrantly trying to ignore the question, though, because I just don't know. My instinct is to say James Justin but that feels harsh on Timothy Castagne, whose defensive work is comparatively very strong in Europe's big leagues.
If they really are all fit, I'd just expect to see more rotation in the two full-back positions full stop.
Joe Brewin
The answer simply has to be Ricardo, providing that by being 'fit' we mean match-fitness up to the levels we've seen from them in the past.
I love Ricky P so I just hope he can stay injury-free and get a run of form that we know he's got in him; he's a delight to watch when he's on it.
There's argument he could play further forward which would leave the RB spot for JJ or Timmy but I think he's best starting deep and flying forward.
So fingers crossed the recovery trajectory continues on an incline.
Becky Taylor
I'm going to answer this by making a business decision as well as a footballing one. There's simply not room for all three on the wage bill now we have Kristiansen at left-back.
If we've learnt anything from the last 18 months regarding squad management, it's surely that there sometimes comes a time whereby it's a good point to sell?
Having around 18 players with less than 18 months on their contracts is dreadful for continuity and means a lot of deprecated assets.
When all are fit, my view is that James Justin should be first pick. He fits Brendan's 'style' of full-back with his athleticism and height. He's also the youngest of the three. Ricardo would be back up (and back up for right wing too).
With the above in mind I would be looking to sell Castagne (who's had a bit of interest) while we could still get £15-£20million for him.
That's no reflection on him as a player - he's been excellent for us. The thing is that the valuation above would stand for 2023, but would be half or a third of that in 2024 and then free in 2025.
Therefore, learn the lesson, wish him well and reinvest.
Iain Wright
