James Justin Is the ‘One Size Fits All’ Hero Leicester Need

Leicester’s 3-0 win over Brighton on Sunday put them just one point adrift of Premier League leaders Tottenham going into the festive period.

The result was brilliant, as was their performance. Amazon Prime commentator and serial exaggerator Peter Drury described the Foxes’ first half display – in which they scored all three goals – as the best football of the season so far. Although Drury is prone to going over the top, on this occasion it was hard to argue with him.

Two brilliant strikes from James Maddison bookended the Foxes’ goals with his second being nothing short of stupendous. Picking the ball up just inside the box with Dan Burn keeping him – or at least trying to keep him – at arm’s length, he twisted and turned before unleashing a curling effort with his weak foot into the top corner.

It was Maddison’s best display in some time but he was not the only Leicester player to impress against the Seagulls. This time two years ago, James Justin was preparing for Luton Town’s League One fixture with Fleetwood Town. However, you could not tell that from his display at the King Power Stadium on Sunday.

Starting off at left wing-back in a 3-4-2-1, Justin’s switch to the opposite flank with around 15 minutes played changed the game. After this he operate as an auxiliary right midfielder as the Foxes moved to a makeshift four at the back system. In other words, the shackles were off, which allowed him to target Brighton’s lumbering left-back, Dan Burn.

Justin’s first involvement was providing the cross that led to Maddison’s first goal. After drifting into space out wide cleverly, he swung in a wicked cross which Vardy cushioned back into the path of the goalscorer.

His part in Leicester’s second goal was even more significant. With Leicester in transition, Justin had no problem keeping pace with his teammates.

Eventually, Ayoze Perez manged to slip a through ball into his path and without breaking stride, he played an inch perfect cross to the on-rushing Vardy.

He still had a lot to do, but Leicester’s number nine had a lot to thank Justin for, as he tucked away his 10th Premier League strike of the season.

This type of performance was very much deserved. Thrusted into the first team following Ricardo Pereira’s ACL injury on the eve of lockdown last season, Justin has largely been treated as a ‘one size fits all’ utility man during his Leicester career.

Since making his debut, he has been fielded as a right-back, centre-back, left-back, as well as a wing-back on both sides. Often, these position shifts have taken place mid-game as well.

Yet, despite only being 22, Justin has performed all of these roles with minimal fuss, not missing a single minute for the Foxes in the league this season and rarely putting a foot. It’s about time he got some mainstream recognition and his fine, attacking display against Brighton should do exactly that.