Puzzling Woyo Coulibaly exclusion since February Leicester start | OneFootball

After another lopsided defeat by Leicester on Saturday, the usual complaints and chatter surrounding City followed the match. There was another absence from the lineup altogether that has become something of an oddity. Naturally, not in the starting XI with Justin James and Ricardo Pereira in the squad. Woyo Coulibaly not even making the bench is an aspect that can't go unnoticed.

Signed in January for £3m, the French defender hasn't received the run of play many would have expected for a mid-season arrival. Even during games where the overall quality has looked better, there hasn't been much to point to that would indicate anyone being a mainstay in the rotation, particularly in the backline.

Even when Ruud van Nistelrooy had a back five, Coulibaly would find himself just as likely to make an impact as any other fan, as his name wasn't included as one of the nine available players to potentially come on as a substitute. Even when he has been included, like against Brighton, he hasn't seen the field.

It has been since his start against Brentford, in which he last played for the Foxes. During the February 21st fixture, the RB was subbed at the break. While LCFC trailed by three goals after the first 45, his play was far from the main culprit. Case in point, there have been a number of bad losses, and even the closer ones could have easily become uglier.

This isn't a debate over who from this squad should be playing. It also isn't to suggest that a Coulibaly inclusion would have solved anything. Instead, it points to an overall lack of well-run club business that is rampant at City.

Compounding mistakes add up quickly

It may 'only' be £3m, but with a long list of decisions to make now, there doesn't appear to be much of a reason why this move was made to begin with. He's seen action in four Premier League games, including one in which he entered as a 90+4th minute sub.