Enzo Maresca’s assistant manager is working on set pieces in his first role as a coach, having retired from playing in the summer to take over as Leicester City’s number-two

When Leicester City conceded from the fourth corner against them this season, it would have been feared that their perennial problem had followed them down to the Championship.

However, since Kyle McFadzean’s header for Coventry, City have successfully defended 40 corners in the league without conceding. They’re not giving up many chances either.

According to Opta data, only five teams in the Championship have given up fewer expected goals from set-play situations. Whatever City are doing, it’s working.

And to thank for that, they may have their new assistant manager. Willy Caballero was a surprise appointment this summer, with the Argentinian on Southampton’s books as a player last term and not even announcing his retirement until he joined City.

But he knew Enzo Maresca already from their time together at Malaga, and the City boss felt he was the right man to work with him and first-team coach Danny Walker. Alongside Walker, Caballero is coaching set-pieces at Seagrave.

“I knew very well, Willy, because we played together 10 years ago,” Maresca said. “Since we played together, we always talk about football. I knew his intention was to start as a coach and leave football as a player. So I saw what I was looking for in an assistant.

“Now he’s in charge of set-pieces. Him and Danny both. They are also in charge to make some extra work with some young players to try to improve them.”

Where City could get better is at attacking set-pieces. According to Opta, they have the fourth lowest expected goals tally from dead balls. That’s despite having had 44 corners, which is the 13th most in the division.

Former players back as coaches

Speaking of coaches, City have welcomed back a couple of familiar faces this month to do some extra work with the academy lads. Lee Tomlin and Adi Yussuf have both been at Seagrave to help out the Under-21s and Under-18s.

Tomlin, who had a prolific career in the EFL with the likes of Peterborough, Middlesbrough and Cardiff, is originally from Leicester and was in the club’s academy until he was released at 16. He’s currently working on his Uefa A Licence but has been invited to City to work with their prospects. He wrote on social media: “No better place to be developing myself and others than at a club like LCFC.”

Yussuf, who plays for National League North side Banbury United, was also at City as a youngster and was a prolific striker in the academy until he was released at 19. He’s also been back working with the club.

He said: “Whilst still pursuing my football career it’s great to be back at LCFC as a player coach. I started my football career here so working with the 18s and 21s on their football development is a real honour.”

Schmeichel makes debut

And so the latest chapter of Kasper Schmeichel’s career has begun. The former City captain cancelled his contract at Nice on deadline day and signed for Belgian giants Anderlecht on a free transfer days later. He has now made his debut, perhaps a week later than anticipated after fracturing a rib in training on his return from international duty.

His first game for Anderlecht came against Club Brugge, famous in these parts for being City’s maiden opponents in the Champions League.

It didn’t go quite as well as that meeting did back in 2016, with Anderlecht drawing 1-1. Schmeichel was beaten in the second half by his Denmark international team-mate Andreas Skov Olsen.

Schmeichel wrote on social media: “I am proud to be here and have made my debut for this historic club. I will give my all and I’m excited about what’s ahead.”