Ricardo: City’s Versatile Right-Back
The 25-year-old Portugal international made the switch to England last summer after winning the Primeira Liga with FC Porto in 2017/18 and immediately made an impact on the City squad.
He played 90 minutes during the Foxes’ season opener at Manchester United in August, crossing into the box for Jamie Vardy to score a late consolation goal, before his King Power Stadium debut resulted his first Premier League assist in a 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Following an analysis of Kasper Schmeichel’s 2018/19 season, LCFC.com takes a look at the stand-out statistics from Ricardo’s first term as a Fox.
Ricardo’s creativity
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Assists registered: 6
LCFC standing: 2
Premier League (defenders) standing: =3
The former FC Porto man registered six assists in 2018/19, and his tally was bettered only by attacking midfielder James Maddison’s record of seven for City.
Only two Premier League defenders created more goals than Ricardo, with Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold (12) and Andrew Robertson (11) sitting in the division’s top five for assist-makers.
Ricardo’s first assist came against Wolves in August, while he also set up Jamie Vardy’s winner at Everton on New Year’s Day and the striker’s second goal versus Arsenal in April.
A defensive force
Tackles completed: 118
LCFC standing: 2
Premier League standing: 4
Wilfred Ndidi tops the Premier League’s tackling charts with 143 dispossessions, but Ricardo sits only 25 tackles behind the Nigeria international midfielder.
Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye has (142) and Crystal Palace right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka (129) sit between Ndidi and Ricardo in the league rankings, while Wolves midfielder and countryman João Moutinho sits five tackles behind in fifth.
Ricardo’s forward ability, matched with his productive defensive record, has made him one of the Premier League’s most impressive all-round players.
Consistency at right-back
Interceptions completed: 60
LCFC ranking: 2
Premier League (defenders) ranking: =11
Accompanying his healthy number of tackles completed is his interception record, which sees him again place second behind Wilfred Ndidi (83) in City’s charts, and the 11th-highest interceptor in England’s top flight.
Wolves defenders Jonny and Matt Doherty, Cardiff City’s Joe Bennett and Everton left-back Lucas Digne matched Ricardo’s 60 interceptions in 2018/19, while England international Ben Chilwell is next in City’s standings with 38.
Another stat that emphasises his defensive capability is his 106 clearances – the fourth highest of any Leicester player last campaign.
Heavily involved
Minutes played: 3,125
LCFC ranking: 4
Premier League (defenders) ranking: 17
Ricardo described the Premier League as ‘the best in the world’ upon his arrival in Leicester, and his 35 appearances during his first season as a Fox saw him instantly become a key member of the squad.
Only Kasper Schmeichel (3,420) – City’s only 2018/19 ever-present – Wilfred Ndidi (3,298) and Ben Chilwell (3,240) played more minutes for the Foxes than the dynamic right-back.
He is one of only four City players to rack up over 3,000 minutes in England’s top flight in 2018/19, and last term featured more than any other outfield Portuguese that plies their trade in the Premier League.