The Leicester Under-23 players on verge of first team call-up

Leicester City have several young players ready to join the senior side to alleviate the worsening defensive injury crisis. Here is what you must know.

The King Power side are now one of the best equipped Premier League teams. With a balanced a depth-heavy squad, it is hard to imagine a situation where any one injury could upset the rhythm of the side. Now, say there are 12 payers out, that is another situation entirely.

Brendan Rodgers must be grimacing when thinking of the players he will lose to the African Cup of Nations. Wilfred Ndidi, Daniel Amartey, Kelechi Iheanacho, Ademola Lookman, and Papy Mendy. Four currently first team players and one of the only remaining experienced squad members.

Of course, I shall be championing the victories of Ghana, Senegal, and the Nigerian Super Eagles. Nevertheless, with Jamie Vardy injured and Patson Daka still a week or so off a return, Leicester will be without a senior striker.

At the back, the Foxes will lose their makeshift backline of Amartey and Ndidi which held off Liverpool, and be forced to rely on Jannik Vestergaard and possibly Filip Benkovic from the senior side. However, there is another option.

Leicester City’s U23 options

In the youth side, there are four more experienced and possibly ready to take the leap into the senior side to help cover the holes left by excessive injuries and international duty. These players include Lewis Brunt, Benjamin Nelson, Bayli Spencer-Adams, and Ronny Nelson.

Spencer-Adams has already played at a senior level for Watford in cup competitions. That experience could be key in making the step up and handling the pressure of a Premier League fixture. That being said, the defender has a certain play style not too useful at this moment.

In terms of how the Guyana centre-back plays, he is much more reserved in defence than our current options. Bringing a level of composure and strength to a stretched backline could be critical at this junction. However, what we need is a proactive defender who rushes to snuff out danger.

On this note, Ronny Nelson would also not be quite the best bet. Though a forward thinking defender, often dribbling the ball forward to exploit space left by opposition midfields, he also does not pressure attackers. The player looks to play it safe, possibly due to inexperience.

Ben Nelson and Brunt are perhaps the best options available from the U23s. Both are incredibly versatile and front-foot defenders looking to pressure, challenge, and win the ball. Brunt has also performed his duties in a defensive midfield role, so provides an option elsewhere on the pitch, as well.

Ben Nelson is also the best out of these options in the air, certainly statistically better than the obelisk-like Vestergaard. My recommendation would be the Leicester academy resident over the other options.

At the same time, Brendan Rodgers’ squad are looking at options in the transfer market for new centre-backs in January, so any youngster would need to impress a lot and already be integrated with the side. Ben Nelson also fits this as he has regularly travelled to Europa League games with the side.

Who do you think the Foxes should play, ‘Benko’, Vestergaard, either of the two Nelsons? Choose your centre-back duo and let Foxes of Leicester know.