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Leicester’s loan army: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall a future Fox?

By Tobias Moore

Luton Town's English midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (R) with Chelsea's English midfielder Mason Mount (L) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)
Luton Town's English midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (R) with Chelsea's English midfielder Mason Mount (L) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Luton Town (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

The stand-out performer from Leicester City’s loan contingent. Questions were raised in January when Rodgers opted to let Dewsbury-Hall remain at Luton Town in light of Dennis Praet’s injury. Recent games including an outing at Cardiff City have exposed certain weaknesses in his game, notably his defensive decision-making in the box. Having the opportunity to improve in a competitive league away from intense scrutiny provides a solid platform for his development.

"I pride myself on good passing ratio – whether that be easy passes and more complex passes. Because it is important as the midfielder in the team to be able to keep the ball and keep it ticking. I want to dictate games because if your midfield is dictating the game it gives you a much better chance of winning. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall via Kevin Harper’s Luton Town Supporters’ Trust podcast."

The 22-year-old is 5-foot-8 inches and left-footed, the latter trait a rarity amongst Leicester City’s current squad. In 24 leagues games so far this season, the diminutive midfielder has provided two goals and three assists – both efforts struck on his favoured foot from outside the area. Starting in an advanced role, Dewsbury-Hall settled into defensive midfield as the season has progressed.

Highlights of the Shepshed-native’s goals may invoke comparisons to Leicester City’s James Maddison. However, Youri Tielemans is a more apt candidate. Forwards players can be analysed per their goals and contributions; identifying the strengths in their defensive and supportive counterparts necessitates data over description.

This season, per 90 minutes Dewsbury-Hall commits 9.38 defensive actions (DAs), 5.15 interceptions (ints) and blocks 0.29 shots. Comparatively, Tielemans has recorded 7.48 DAs, 3.98 ints and 0.23 blocks. Both players are contributing significantly to off-the-ball play, breaking opposition moves, with KDH providing more in such phases.

What Tieleman’s excels in is a higher-standard of passing. Per 90 minutes, KDH averages 43.79 passes, 14.27 forward passing (FP) and 4.69 long passes (LP) with an average distance of 38.02m. Respectively Tielemans commits 59.03 passes, 18.29 (FP) and 6.11 (LP) averaging 39.93m. Both have much room to develop to the long-term benefit of Leicester City.