Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month: Stephy Mavididi
Leicester City winger Stephy Mavididi has been named the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month for December.
Scorer of five of Leicester’s 18 December goals, Mavididi’s confidence has surged with every curler that has found the back of the opposition net. Positionally adept at finding the space he needs and calmness personified in front of goal.
Leicester manager Enzo Maresca said: “Congratulations to Stephy on his award. It’s richly deserved for all his hard work and the way he has contributed to the team’s success over the last month.
“We’ve worked hard on building a good group here at Leicester and every player has had a part in supporting Stephy to reach these high levels, so we’re all delighted for him on this achievement.”
Mavididi said: “It’s fantastic to receive the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month Award for December. For me, it’s an award that reflects not just my own efforts, but the incredible effort and support of my teammates and manager.
“December was a great month on the pitch for the team, and it means a lot to me to have been able to contribute to that. As a group, we’re all determined to keep that going into 2024.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “Leicester were on fire in December and Stephy Mavididi was their standout performer. He scored five of their 18 goals and was unplayable at times cutting inside from the left wing.
“Mavididi has real quality and will be hoping to continue his scoring form and help Leicester cement their position at the top of the Championship.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Leicester are winning the Championship at a cantor and are as short as 1/10 for the title and their star player so far this season has been Stephy Mavididi.
“With plenty of assists so far the winger added goals to his game during December with the 25-year-old netting five times in seven games. That takes his tally to nine for the season and seventh in the scorer charts. He is now 66/1 to win the top scorer award.”
Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month: Enzo Maresca
Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca has been named the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for December
To his talented squad, Maresca has added an effervescence, energy and desire which is proving irresistible to their Championship opponents. Only an injury-time Ipswich equaliser denied them a perfect seven wins with 18 goals scored.
Maresca said: “I’m very happy to win this award because it means we are winning games. It has been a very busy period, and I must say thanks to all the players and staff at the training ground – including physios, the medical team, sports scientists, analysts, kit staff, grounds team, chefs and the many others who have supported us - for all their efforts because we’ve had many fixtures and we need all of them.
“I’m really pleased for Stephy too. He’s a fantastic player who has been very important for us this season and will be important for us in the future too.”
Brian Laws, Technical Manager at the LMA chaired the judging panel for December.
He said: “Enzo Maresca has had an outstanding December, his team showed great energy and desire, and were only just denied a perfect seven wins by a stoppage time equaliser against Ipswich Town.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “It was another month of dominance for Leicester as Enzo Maresca’s team won six out of seven matches and scored 18 goals along the way, opening a 10-point gap at the top of the Championship.
“Maresca has merited all his accolades this season as his scintillating side look on course to set a record points total if they stay focussed for all 46 games.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “Leicester enjoyed another impressive month under Maresca, winning six games and drawing the other to extend their lead at the top of the table to ten points.
“At 1/66 The Foxes are almost certain to be promoted back to the top flight at the first time of asking and are 1/10 from 8/11 at the start of the month to go up as Champions.”