Talking Tactics: Rodgers must find Maddison's best role to get Foxes flying

James Maddison is one of Leicester’s most important players — but what is his best position for the Foxes?

Brendan Rodgers’ side have underperformed this term, sitting 13th in the Premier League table after consecutive fifth-place finishes.

And finding Maddison's best role is key to getting the club’s season back on track.

Ahead of tonight's Premier League clash with Burnley, we take a look at how they can get the most out of their creator-in-chief.

A versatile operator

Maddison has the capacity to play in a number of positions and Rodgers has made the most of that versatility in his time at the King Power Stadium.

The 25-year-old is primarily a No10, operating in the pocket of space behind the centre-forward. However, he has also featured on both wings and as a deeper central midfielder.

Maddison has been deployed in all three of those roles during this campaign as his manager looks to get the Foxes firing — a departure from last season when he was used almost exclusively as an attacking midfielder.

No10

Maddison has mostly been deployed as a No10 throughout his career, whether at Leicester, Norwich, Coventry or Aberdeen.

Arguably the England international’s greatest strength is the goal threat he carries from distance — in both set-piece situations and from open play — and featuring as the most advanced midfielder allows him to test the opposition goalkeeper with greater frequency.

Of players to have played at least 1500 Premier League minutes, Maddison ranks joint-sixth for shots per 90 minutes in the competition (2.95) and is the highest-placed midfielder on the list, with all the players above him either wide forwards or central strikers.

Out wide

Leicester’s creative maestro also has the ability to make an impact on either flank.

The majority of his appearances out wide for the East Midlands side have come on the left, allowing the Coventry native to cut on to his favoured right foot and drift into central areas.

But Rodgers has taken to deploying Maddison on the opposite flank of late, with the majority of his minutes on the wing this term coming on that side.

He has scored one and assisted another in his four games on the right this season — both in the 4-0 win over Newcastle in December.

The 5ft 9in attacker played there in his most recent league start — last month’s 2-2 draw against West Ham — suggesting the Foxes’ boss still considers it a viable option.

Central midfield

Maddison himself weighed in on the debate surrounding his best role before the start of last season, insisting that he was a No8 rather than a No10.

He said: "[I am a] No8, definitely. I played as a No10 at the start of last season, and then when the gaffer [Rodgers] came in I transitioned into a No8, and sometimes I play off the left.

"I don’t want to be labelled as a No10. I’m not a No10. Being a No8 has made me add that defensive side to my game.

"I’m never going to be a big tackler, I’m never going to go around smashing people.

"It’s that awareness and that responsibility of getting little toes in, little interceptions, because as a No8 you find yourself deeper a lot, so I’ve had to add that."

The optimum solution

Maddison’s own assertions, albeit almost two years ago, make it clear where he sees his best position.

While using him in wide areas is an option, the Englishman possesses neither lightning pace nor an exceptional take-on success rate — and his skill set most obviously lends itself to the centre of the park.

The vast majority of the former Norwich star's 11 goals and seven assists across all competitions this season have come from the middle.

So whether he starts higher up the pitch or in a slightly more withdrawn position, Rodgers' remit is to find a role in midfield which allows Maddison to do what he does best — shoot.