Marti Cifuentes disagrees with Leicester City fans as he delivers ‘very good’ Boubakary Soumare verdict

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Marti Cifuentes has decided to give Boubakary Soumare another chance at Leicester City.

Soumare has only shown flashes of his ability since joining from Lille in 2021, often getting criticism for a perceived lack of effort.

The Frenchman was one of those expected to leave the Foxes this summer after being involved in both relegations while also spending the season on loan at Sevilla the last time Leicester were in the Championship.

However, this season, the midfielder has played in every game so far and Cifuentes thinks he is clearly central to the Leicester manager’s hands.

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Marti Cifuentes explains why Boubakary Soumare is central to his plans

While fans are still yet to be convinced by the 26-year-old, his manager is quite the opposite and has explained that playing him in the number six role means he is central to the build up.

He told Leicestershire Live: “He’s got the qualities and the strengths to play in the number six or in the number eight position.

“Technically he’s a very good player and he’s physically very strong. He understands the game as well.

“So far we are using him more as a number six, a holding midfielder, important in our build-up, important in our quality to get high up the pitch, to break the lines, to progress with the team as well to be the player that everybody knows is going to be there all the time to switch the game, to play the through.

“Defensively, he’s a player who can help us especially to recover the ball quickly. He has this capacity to cover big spaces but at the same time he is very good at intercepting and anticipating.

“He’s a very good player so we’re trying to get the best of him whatever the position.”

Boubakary Soumare played a key role in Leicester City winner vs Charlton Athletic

While Leicester fans continue to be left torn over the role Soumare has to play for the Foxes this season, he was one of those who played a part in the winner against Charlton Athletic.

His pass in the build-up play springboarded the attack that resulted in Abdul Fatawu’s screamer.

It will take a lot for Soumare to fully restore his reputation with Leicester fans, but if Cifuentes can be the one to get the best out of him, maybe there is still a chance.