Claude Puel wants to focus on Leicester City youth
By James Lassey
Since the arrival of manager Claude Puel last month, Leicester’s starting eleven has begun to feature names from the King Power’s younger generation, something he wants to continue to do.
With the resurgence of Demarai Gray and the competition provided by young left-back Ben Chilwell on Christian Fuchs, Puel appears to be placing his focus on developing the Foxes youth.
A new philosophy is starting to take its shape, especially as Tuesday saw Hamza Choudhury earn his Premier League debut in the 2-1 win over Tottenham.
The Frenchman hopes that despite the high demands of Premier League football, his young starlets will continue to shine.
"“It is always difficult to play a young player in the first team,” he told reporters at his Burnley pre-match press conference. “I know there is a lot of pressure on the managers in the Premier League but, for me, it is my work to also develop young players with quality.”"
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Gray, who had started in Puel’s first four games before being overlooked by Shinji Okazaki last time out against Tottenham looked as though he was becoming Leicester’s main threat.
Although his progress has come to a halt since his goal and assist at home to Everton in October and he needs to get on the score-sheet more often, especially with the in-form Marc Albrighton looking to keep the 21-year-old out.
Choudhury enjoyed a short loan spell at Burton Albion for the second-half of last season, making 15 appearances in the process.
However this campaign, Puel’s predecessor Craig Shakespeare opted against sending the 20-year-old on loan last summer in order to give him first-team action.
Puel believes the midfielder brings something different to the table and could be turning out for Leicester again in the near future.
"“He is a different fit in the team,” Puel declared. “For me, it was about the dynamic. He can offer something different.”"
With the faith in his youth, the former Southampton boss has led Leicester to victory twice in his first five games at the helm.
Asked whether he would continue fielding players from the lower ranks, he said only time will tell.
"“We will see as season goes on,” he speculated. “We will see if we can give them playing time. It’s important we can look at players because they are the future for Leicester.”"
The Foxes face high-flying Burnley on Saturday in a bid to close the four point gap separating the two sides.