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The Belgian summer signing has proven his worth in the Premier League this season, but what position suits Castagne the most?
Due to Ricardo Pereira’s injury that has kept the Portuguese star out for most of the current campaign, the Belgian reverted into a full-back position and did his job tremendously well until some injury worries of his own saw his progress in defence demolished.
As a right-midfielder, Castagne is able to venture forward more and has the ability to put in dangerous deliveries from the right flank.
As a right-back, his job is more stern as he needs to be there in the right place at the right time. He reads the game so well, always cutting potential attacking lanes off and not committing any needless fouls.
With his injury problem this season, his bright start at full-back was eclipsed by the return of his fellow full-back, Ricardo, but that has not stopped the Belgian in proving why he can play anywhere on the right side of Brendan Rodgers’ team.
It was Castagne’s inventiveness that created Leicester City’s second goal. The Belgian was waiting for a good option from the throw-in and found fellow Belgian, Youri Tielemans, in a pocket of space.
The midfielder in turn picked out Jamie Vardy, with his effort saved, Harvey Barnes was able to pick up the pieces and score to double the Foxes advantage in the 23rd minute.
In the first-half, deployed as a full-back, the 25-year-old coped fantastically with the dangers that Anwar El Ghazi and Matt Targett threw at him every time Aston Villa broke forward.
The nature of Ricardo in a more advanced right-midfield position allowed the Belgian to thrive with his passing and his defending, with the Portuguese full-back helping his teammate when needed.
What was more incredible for him was that he succeeded in four out of five tackles he attempted (80% success rate). This feat showed the success that Castagne brings to the backline and the resolute defending he brings to the table.
Alongside that, the full-back proved to use headed clearances to his advantage and took on duels with the Villa frontmen with ease.
Winning eight out of 13 duels, the summer signing proved his composure and creativity when in dangerous situations, making the second-most amount of clearances (5) and making the joint-most amount of headed clearances (3).
He was not afraid to stick his arm up and wave at his teammates whenever he was in space and would often call on the ball as he looked to drive his team forward for the killer blow.
In the second-half, he made a costly error as he looked to intercept the ball from Targett, with the Villa defender looking to get past the Belgian to cross the ball into the box.
The Englishman was able to do so as Castagne looked to quickly trackback before it was too late. Inevitably, Villa’s number 18 crossed the ball in, with Bertrand Traore connecting with the ball to reduce the deficit for the hosts.
Ricardo was subbed off in the 76th minute of the match with Castagne able to convert to a more attacking role for the last 15 minutes.
He was able to make a few bursting runs forward off the ball, but most of the last quarter of an hour the Foxes stayed tight and compact defensively, as they sat back and allowed the hosts to attack their goal.
Trezeguet was also introduced in the place of El Ghazi as he looked to create new problems for the Belgian full-back and his partner, Daniel Amartey.
Castagne’s pace and reading of the game allows him to sense danger and whenever a crossfield ball would come from El Mohamady, Leicester’s number 27 would be there to save the day and either intercept or clear the ball away from danger.
On the rare occasion the full-back is unable to read the game, he then switches to his speed and determination as he turns to the basics, staying goalside of the attacker and shepherding them away from goal which means the ball has to be recycled.
He was praised on many occasions by Leicester captain Kasper Schmeichel, as whenever the Belgian would show his defending qualities and put them on display the Dane would shout “Well done, Timmy!”
With the performance that he put in against Aston Villa and the other 14 matches he has featured in the Premier League, the Belgian proves why he is one of the most versatile players in the league.
Being right-footed also helps the full-back if he is to surge down the left, like he has done on a few occasions during the current campaign.
He is able to cut-back onto his right-foot from the left-flank which is certainly a danger for any defender who needs to defend the trickery and technical presence that Castagne presents.
Whether he is to be deployed as a right-back, right-midfielder, left-back or even left-midfielder, Rodgers knows he can count on his Belgian signing and that he can continue using his excellent mind to read the game for Leicester.
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