Did we win ?

I think to be fair to Puel, the CM was a problem when Kante leftas, with four attacking players, the only reason we had the luxury of playing someone who could ping the ball like Drinkwater as well, was because Kante was a two-man machine.

I think the only alternative, if looking to maintain a similar 4411 was to have two ‘not quite as good’ Kante style players and sacrifice a Drinkwater-type and therefore need to bring in someone more creative in the Okazaki role to make up for this.

To be fair to Leicester and Puel we actually do have that now. So for me, that was the next move, irrelevant of manager. I appreciate though, that perhaps Ndidi is a better player now and having an Iborra/Drinkwater back in would be doable. And whilst I can see where people are coming from with regard to Ndidi playing better next to Iborra, I don’t think we should discount the work that is done by those two as a pair and that, rather than reflect on it as putting pressure on Maddison for creativity, having those two allow him to express himself in a role that is primarily attacking.

For me, it’s not necessarily expecting it to ‘click’ as Puel is trying to embed certain new aspects but more signs of progress and, over the last couple of games, I have seen that and remain positive and optimistic that, that may continue.

All the signs point towards 352 with regard to Puel’s eagerness to have high wing backs and would also allow for Mendy, Ndidi and Iborra as a 3 and then Maddison sitting and drifting behind Vardy. It does mean Ghezzal and Albrighton would be fighting it out for roles out of their comfort zone or to replace Maddison from the bench but I don’t think that is necessarily a terrible scenario. However...there is just something I’m not sure about with it. But, if Puel is intent on having really high full backs, I don’t real see why not trialing it.

*by ‘those two’ I meant Ndidi and Mendy

Yet Ndidi isn't going to get dropped and Mendy ( who I like ) is a Puel favourite so can't see any changes in there that aren't forced through injury or suspension.

He has his pairing and that's it, like you said, only a change in formation allows Iborra in there and that's unlikely to happen either.

At the minute, with other things we are looking to bed in and become consistent at, I see Including a player like Iborra as a dilemma a little further down our tick list, particularly as it’s not as if he is showing consistent performances within his role and has just been left out as a consequence of Puel’s preferences for personnel or formation.

Why since we won the title, no matter what players we recruit, does 3-5-2 always seem to look like the best answer????

But KTF is right - with these players, it seems perfect!

How about trying 3-4-3, with Chilwell and Pereira as wing backs, Mendy/Ndidi defensive midfielders, Vardy up front, one traditional winger (Albrighton or Ghezzal) and Maddison with the freer role?

Possibly Nuneaton. Although I guess there is an argument that is missing a trick of bringing in a 3rd ball player in CM but, as you mentioned, it allows for a second creative player further up behind Vardy

Mendy is a Puel favorite because he is playing so well under his old manager and not a Junior Lewis under Taylor

Think you could fit our players perfectly in to 3-5-2 or 3-4-3.

3 CBs (take your pick)
Pereira or Albrighton and Chilwell
Iborra or Silva or Mendy, Ndidi and Maddison
Vardy and Nacho

Or to keep wide strikers in a 3-4-3

3 CBs (take your pick)
Pereira or Albrighton and Chilwell
Mendy Ndidi
Maddison Vardy Ghezzal/Gray/Albrighton

Move Maddison back to midfield if you feel wild.

Perfect.