As we draw closer to the final third of the season, it’s a perfect time to analyze Leicester City loanees who are currently scattered around Europe.
Foxes of Leicester takes a look and judge their importance for their respective clubs and determine an individual’s possible utility for the next season.
Rachid Ghezzal
Rachid Ghezzal joined the Foxes around August 2018. He was expected to fill in the shoes of another fellow Algerian Riyad Mahrez, who left for Manchester City. Ghezzal was uninspired for the team during unimpressive performances and since then has been under various loan spells each season.
Algeria’s wingman was loaned to Turkish Süper Lig club Beşiktaş for this season where he has found his best form yet. Having registered his 11th assist of the season, he looks to be instrumental for the Turkish side. Beşiktaş is now at the top of the table and that certainly increases the chances of reconsideration for the 28-year-old Algerian by the King Power club next season.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was loaned out to Luton Town for this season. He has been the best overall player for his side in the Championship. Dewsbury-Hall has started 26 games for Luton having scored twice and assisting four times. Luton Town is currently at 16th place in the table.
Dewsbury-Hall has been playing as a central midfielder mostly for his current side. The Foxes would love the fact that he has been growing with each game and gaining the precious experience that has done wonders for several Leicester City academy graduates before. He is certainly a player that the club looks to be a contributing factor for the future.
Matty James
Matty James is one name that LCFC fans sympathize with, the player’s career has been disrupted far too often with injuries that have seen him take a long hiatus on several instances from the sidelines. Currently loaned to Coventry City, he has looked injury resistant and has successfully started 22 games and scored once for the Championship side.
Honestly, it would be far-fetched to imagine James to make a return and cracks into the Leicester lineup next season. Considering his regularity and experience he will most probably continue playing in the Championship in some form; though many thought of him as Premier League quality.
George Hirst
George Hirst plays as a centre-forward for Rotherham United for his loan spell. It looks like he is not having a great season either. Having only had four starts and mostly being used as a final-minute substitute he has not made any noticeable remark with his chances. Definitely needs more time and exposure to improve his chances. Can’t see him not going to several other loan spells for the same in near future.
Daniel Iversen
The Danish keeper kept back-to-back clean sheets for Preston North End. Iversen has started 13 games for the Championship side and has registered 38 saves till now. Currently, Preston is in the 15th position.
This loan move certainly provides the 23-year-old to feature regularly as a first-choice keeper for Preston and gain precious experience from the spell. It is tough to not see a future Dane take over Kasper’s throne in the foreseeable future. Definitely a keeper (no pun intended) for us!
Josh Knight
Wycombe Wanderers are simply not doing great after their promotional season and they are certainly looking to drop back to League 1. However, Josh Knight has had nothing short of a brilliant spell there, despite being a central midfielder he has found himself starting in 31 games for the club and has shown exceptional decision-making with his prowess. The 23-year-old can definitely be a consideration for Leicester City next season.
Admiral Muskwe
Muskwe also has been loaned to Wycombe Wanderers, seeing four starts with one goal. No surprise there: Wycombe is struggling to win matches and Muskwe has not been able to help the club much with his unimpressive performances.
Kamal Sowah
Kamal Sowah is a young adaptable player who can play in five positions. The Ghanaian is very versatile in nature who is enjoying his second loan spell for the Belgian side OH Leuven. Sowah has started 30 games for the club and has scored eight goals and registered three assists for them. Sowah has impressed thus far with his presented opportunity and it seems like the loan spell is having a positive impact on the 21-year-olds growth.
Being the sibling club under the King Power brand, many young LCFC players are loaned to OH Leuven to feature in more games and help the side in the Belgian top division.
Josh Eppiah
Joshua Eppiah is not having a great time as Sowah at OH Leuven. He has found all his playing minutes as a substitute and still has not impressed anybody with his chances. He doesn’t look to add any value as of now for Leicester City next season and will certainly be staying loaned to develop further.
Filip Benković
Filip Benković has not yet played even once for Leicester City. Since his joining in August 2018, he has only been loaned to four different clubs. Despite an injury crisis at the club, the manager did not find him the right fit to stay and play. This season he is at OH Leuven, arriving on loan until the end of the season and the concerning matter is that he has featured for the Belgian side yet. It would be beneficial if the East Midlands side decides to sell him in the next transfer window for some fee rather than to let him leave for free. His chances to play for the club definitely looks slim.