Despite his limited appearances, Leicester City forward Jordan Ayew has proven invaluable this season with two clutch stoppage-time goals that have secured crucial points for the team.

Yet, for Ayew, these late-game heroics are only a stepping stone—his goal is to earn a consistent spot in the starting lineup. Leicester manager Steve Cooper has acknowledged Ayew’s ambition and the dilemma it creates for the club’s match-day strategy.

Ayew’s most recent game-changing moment came with a dramatic 94th-minute equalizer against Ipswich, preserving a valuable point for Leicester.

Cooper was quick to commend the striker’s impact but also noted Ayew’s desire to establish himself as more than just an off-the-bench asset. “He won’t want that to be his Leicester career,” Cooper stated, reflecting Ayew’s hunger for a more prominent role. “It’s tough not starting him, to be honest.”

In the matchup against Ipswich, Cooper designed a lineup that leaned into Leicester’s wide players, with Abdul Fatawu and Stephy Mavididi deployed as wingers and Jamie Vardy leading as the central striker.

This tactical approach was meant to exploit Ipswich’s tendency to defend centrally, allowing Leicester to attack down the flanks.

“We felt we needed the two wingers at the start of the game,” Cooper explained. “Ipswich blocks off the middle and gives you the sides, so we wanted to use that space to put our wide players in positions to make a difference.”

While Cooper’s game plan leveraged Leicester’s wing strengths, it left Ayew on the sidelines until later in the game. “Vardy is in good form and is great for a goal at the moment,” Cooper continued.

“So it was tough to leave Jordan out, but brilliant to bring him on. The substitutes did well and contributed, as did the players who started.”

Ayew’s late contributions, however, continue to make him an indispensable asset, creating a dilemma for Cooper as he weighs tactical choices against Ayew’s potential as a starter.

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