Reuniting the possession engine at King Power

Russell Martin is getting his man. Leicester City are closing in on Swansea City striker Liam Cullen, bringing the Wales international back under the wing of the manager who extracted his most refined tactical performance in South Wales.

This isn't an impulsive panic buy or a scout picking random names off a spreadsheet. Martin knows exactly how Cullen operates within a high-possession build-up scheme, having utilized his hybrid profile to unlock compact low blocks during their shared time at Swansea.

For Leicester, securing Cullen represents a clear shift toward positional fluidity. The Foxes need a forward who can function as a press trigger while dropping into the half-spaces to link phase-three attacks.

The mechanics of Cullen's off-the-ball profile

Look at Cullen's movement pattern when playing under Martin's positional system. He isn't a static target man sitting on the shoulders of center-backs; he operates as a shadow nine who destabilizes defensive lines through lateral pulling runs.

In 2023, Cullen averaged high-intensity pressing actions in the opposition final third that disrupted central progressive passes at a remarkable rate. When defender channels open up, his first touch routinely sits on the half-turn, allowing quick vertical combinations with trailing midfielders.

There is a flaw in relying on Cullen as a solo primary goalscorer, though. He can struggle against physically dominant low-block center-backs who deny him space to turn, occasionally rendering him dynamic in build-up but isolated inside the penalty box.

The Prediction: Cullen hits the ground running under Martin

Despite those finishing limitations in tightly packed boxes, this system fit is almost seamless. Martin's Leicester will construct patterns that play directly into Cullen's instincts, releasing runners into channels vacated by his deep drops.

Expect Cullen to secure a starting berth quickly and prove crucial in link-up phases, enabling Leicester's wingers to exploit inside corridors. Leicester will win their opening block of fixtures with Cullen contributing directly through key passes and pressing actions.