Leicester Manager Urges Patience as Daka Awaits Game Time

Leicester City manager Martí Cifuentes has reassured Zambian striker Patson Daka and his teammates that opportunities for game time will increase as the season unfolds.

Daka, who has featured in six Sky Bet Championship matches, totaling 221 minutes, has struggled to secure extended playing time, with his most recent league appearance amounting to just two minutes against Coventry City. His longest outing so far this campaign came in the EFL Cup, where he played 82 minutes against Huddersfield Town, but he is yet to start a match in the Championship.

Speaking after Leicester’s 0-0 draw against Coventry, Cifuentes emphasized that all players remain integral to the club’s ambitions over a long and demanding season.

“It’s great news for the whole team and for me as a manager it creates a little bit of a headache, but that’s a luxury problem,” Cifuentes said. “The strength and the power we have from the bench is very important. Hopefully, the players understand that during the season everyone will be very important.”

The Foxes boss welcomed Ricardo Pereira back to the starting XI after injury, handed Jordan James his full debut, and introduced Julián Carranza for his first Leicester appearance — options that, he said, will be crucial for squad rotation.

Cifuentes on tough decision

Cifuentes admitted that tough selection decisions have been necessary but insisted patience will pay off.

“It has not been easy to take decisions. Some players who have been doing really well couldn’t play today,” he noted. “But I’m sure it’s going to be one of our strengths that everybody understands the moment in the game and during the season.”

Leicester City continue their push for promotion back to the Premier League, with Daka expected to play a bigger role as fixtures pile up and the manager rotates his squad.