Leicester boss Claude Puel to fight fire with fire against Manchester City as he urges his side to attack: 'We have to be positive... it's a fantastic challenge'
- Leicester welcome Manchester City to the King Power Stadium this Saturday
- Foxes boss Claude Puel has urged his men to attack City's team of superstars
- Puel is boosted by the return from injury of Vicente Iborra and Ben Chilwell
- He also revealed it has been difficult for Adrien Silva, who can only train
Claude Puel is ready to go for the jugular against Manchester City by telling his Leicester players to attack Pep Guardiola’s defence.
City travel to the King Power Stadium undefeated this campaign but lost the corresponding fixture last season 4-2 and Puel sees that as a blueprint for further success.
Puel has begun to shed his reputation as a defensive coach during two matches in charge at Leicester and is ready to task Jamie Vardy with leading his team’s pursuit of winning possession high up the pitch, which he hopes will test City’s backline.
Claude Puel is ready to go for the jugular when his side face Manchester City on Saturday
The Frenchman conceded that City's attack is memorising but insisted the Foxes must attack
‘We are at home, and with all the supporters behind us we can do fantastic things,’ he said.
‘I think we know this team, in open games, is the best team in England or, with Paris (Saint-Germain), in Europe. They are a complete team. But all the time any opponent can make the difference.
‘We stay focused on what we can do on the pitch, to have positive attitude and attack, not just defend against this team. We will see the result.
‘It is a fantastic challenge. It is an opportunity for us. I hope to win. It would be the first time they lose. It is he most important thing.’
Puel has been boosted by the return from injury of Vicente Iborra and Ben Chilwell, with both expected to feature against City.
Puel is winning round players who were sceptical of his appointment by issuing clear instructions and using a bold tactical approach in collecting four points against Everton and Stoke.
The Foxes boss has been boosted by the return from injury of midfielder Vicente Iborra
Ben Chilwell is also expected to feature against league leaders City on Saturday afternoon
Puel revealed that it has been difficult for Adrien Silva, who is not eligible to play until January
‘I like the attitude of the group because they listen, they want to see different things,’ Puel added. ‘But it’s also important to keep good confidence without changing a lot of things in a short time.’
Midfielder Adrien Silva will not feature until January after the Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected his request for an expedited personal appeal to FIFA’s decision to reject his registration.
Puel admitted: ‘It's difficult for him. It’s just training sessions without an objective or the possibility to play. It will be a good thing to have Adrien available. We need to take this and prepare him for January.’
The Court of Arbitration for Sport rejected his request for an appeal against the decision
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