Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy believes his side can still escape relegation to the Championship – provided they can turn good performances into points.
The Foxes played well in the first half against Crystal Palace last night, but the Londoners improved after the break and eventually ran out 2-0 winners at the King Power Stadium.
It was Leicester’s sixth league defeat with Van Nistelrooy failing to make the impact the club had hoped for when he was appointed to replace the sacked Steve Cooper.
But the Dutchman has not given up hope, despite the club sitting 19th in the Premier League, two points off safety.
For our position in the championship 🔵
“We desperately want to be out of this situation and we know that every game where we don’t pick up points makes it more difficult. There are three or four teams very close to each other, it’s up to us to succeed.” pic.twitter.com/RkNPjSISyT
— Leicester City (@LCFC) January 16, 2025
He said: “We’ve been talking about it for a while now. It’s a matter of getting those good performances into points and that’s the aim because we know where we are in the league. We know that only points can get us out of the situation.”
Next up is a home game against Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
Van Nistelrooy added: “We desperately want to be out of this situation by the end of May and we know that every game we don’t collect goes a game and makes it more difficult.
“We also know that we are in a position with three or four teams very close to each other, they are dropping points and that makes the situation even more possible. But it’s up to us to start collecting, we’re sick of it (performance and no results).”
Van Nistelrooy hopes to add to Koulibaly’s signing
Leicester made their first January signing yesterday, bringing in full-back Voyo Koulibaly from Parma for £3million.
However, the 25-year-old has yet to train and may not be thrown in at the weekend.
Van Nistelrooy added: “Today he was not able to train with the team because we are finalizing the papers. So we wait today if he can train with the team.
“Obviously we have to assess him and it’s a training session before the game. We’ll see if we can get him involved in Saturday’s game. I think that will be the maximum possible.”
Van Nistelrooy hopes Coulibaly will be the first of many additions in the January window. He said: “We’re working on it, every feature we can add. Permanent and loan as well, within the club’s ability. We needed an extra right-back because of the injury to Ricardo (Pereira). Hopefully we can add more.”
