Leicester City saw both sides of Chaplin vs Cadiz - it leaves question

There is only so much you can take from a pre-season friendly in 30 degree heat, especially when players are only on the pitch for 45 minutes. But Conor Chaplin's first outing in Leicester City colours offered a glimpse into what to expect from the new arrival.

The 29-year-old was making his first appearance for his new club after signing a three-year contract on a free transfer and there was more than enough on offer in the south of Spain to see why Russell Martin wanted him.

Chaplin started in the right-sided eight for City in the first half and looked like a natural. The former Ipswich Town man has been added for his experience, League One quality and versatility. Against Cadiz, he played behind the striker and it's likely that that would be where he starts in August.

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Behind him was Tommy Neale, fresh off his impressive display at Burton, and Hamza Choudhury. Chaplin was the most attacking of the midfield trio, joining Jake Evans as a second striker at times when City pressed high.

With Riley Carr stretching the pitch, Chaplin demonstrated his strength in picking up positions in the pocket. Inside three minutes, he nearly latched on to Choudhury's threaded pass after being left unmarked. Six minutes later, in an interchange of play with Jake Evans, the ball fell kindly for him to strike towards goal, but his effort deflected out wide.

His inclusion in the team was the first tweak to Martin's attack in pre-season. In build-up play, Chaplin and Choudhury played on the same line, making a 4-1-4-1, with the former advancing more as they progressed. Off the ball, it was more of a 4-4-2 and Chaplin partnered Evans.

Following a bright start to the game, Leicester's spark in attack somewhat dwindled after the opening 15 minutes and that forced Chaplin to do more defensive work than he would have preferred. He showed both sides of his game though, winning the ball back with ease and composing himself to keep it.

What was interesting to see was the attacking midfielder making some teasing runs when Carr got the ball out wide. He mixed them up and there was one time where he had decided to position himself close to the goal, only for the ball to be pulled back to the penalty box - his sweet spot.

Chaplin already showed his character when 17-year-old Jake Evans was involved in an altercation with Joaquin Gonzalez. Chaplin, with Harry Souttar, were the first to jump to the striker's defence.

Fellow signing Alex McCarthy stole the headlines in the opening 45 minutes with four saves, one denying ex-Liverpool winger Suso and another to rectify his effort from a goal kick.

Martin's starting defence was strong with Souttar and Bade Aluko. Chaplin's inclusion with Choudhury made the midfield better, but the team that played in the second half was the better of the two teams.

The pitch didn’t help, something Martin wasn’t happy with either.

Louis Page and Sammy Braybrooke came into the midfield with Oliver Skipp taking up the deeper role. The trio have been among the best performing players in pre-season so far and looked in fine form after the break.

In attack, Kirsten Otchere once again showed Martin why there's so much excitement around his name this summer with his third goal of the summer. After goals against Bristol Rovers and Burton Albion, the striker found space inside the box to head Stephy Mavididi's cross past David Gil.

Braybrooke played in the role that Chaplin filled and his experience as a natural defensive midfielder helped him. But City's flow of play swapped in the second half, with Louis Page the more offensive of the two from the left.

"Sammy's more of a midfield player, Conor's more of an attacking midfielder," Martin said post-match. "I thought Sammy was outstanding tonight, Louis Page was outstanding, so we've got real competition in there at the moment.

"We have big competition which is what you need. In those top positions, we have to be flexible about who we're going to play against, different problems, what the team will need in certain games - maybe home and away."

With Braybrooke, Choudhury, Will Alves and Page all impressing in them two attacking midfielder roles in pre-season, Chaplin's arrival adds another name to the mix. It also begs the question of what the strongest trio in midfield will be.

Martin's comments points towards them being rotated depending on the opposition. A bagsman in front of them and central defender with excellent ball-playing ability will push them close to being ready.

It's crunch time for Leicester City as they face a serious rebuilding process in League One. The transfer window is open and we will see players heading in and out of the King Power turnstiles.

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