Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers provided youngster Will Alves his debut for the club alongside teammate Lewis Brunt. Here is what the gaffer has said.
The Northern Irish head coach sealed a 4-1 victory over Watford in the FA Cup with fantastic performances from stand-ins and youth players alike. It is worth noting the usual faces continued to contribute heavily to the Foxes‘ performances.
Rodgers had to turn to the development sides to find players. Lewis Brunt started in midfield and became more of a defensive midfielder during his play time. Vontae Daley-Campbell started on the right, before being substituted after half time for Wanya Marcal-Madivadua. Kasey McAteer would come on for Ayoze Perez and Will Alves on for Ademola Lookman.
I wanted to focus on Alves. The England youth international is one of those talents we see growing and improving drastically from early in their career. In fact, the player’s career has only just started. So, let us look at who Alves is, what Rodgers has said, and where he is heading. Please click on the below ‘next page’ link to have access to the subsequent page about Leicester City’s newest starlet,16-year-old artist Will Alves.
Leicester City’s 16-year-old artist
An attacking midfielder of high acclaim, Alves is already known across the country by ‘Match of the Day’ frequenters. The player won their 2018 ‘can you kick it’ competition: the youngster proved to be one of the most technically gifted in the country.
This is the key element to the Englishman’s game. Technical expertise with the ball, bringing it under control, and dictating the pace and movement of play while on the ball, are the hallmarks which mean Alves is going places.
Not just is the midfielder technically gifted, he is also a creative spark. Similar in mind and thought to Foxes’ favourite James Maddison; he identifies fellow players in good spaces and can easily switch the ball to them.
Nevertheless, the youngster has only just started his career, and in so doing has immediately debuted for Leicester City. Such an achievement is not easy to understate.
What Rodgers has said
As per Leicestershire Live, this is what Brendan Rodgers had to say about the young debutant.
"“He’s got that youthful spirit, that joy. He was bright. He’s waited all his life for that moment. He loves being at Leicester. The supporters will be excited. But it’s different level and if you have too many touches. you lose the ball. I’ve loved having him over with the first team, he’s got big talent”"
Alves is a special talent. Though the player has still plenty to learn about having that awareness of when to pass and when to dribble, the attacking midfielder is already showing all the technique needed to go right to the top.
As the gaffer said, the FA Cup, the Premier League, our senior side are different levels from the U18 football the 16-year-old is currently used to. He probably still has some loan moves before finding his way to the senior side.
However, Alves has that spark and desire to improve, so I think we can all agree that we will be seeing much more of the future England international. Plus, he is most certainly one of our own.
Where the player is heading
Alves is about four seasons away from the senior team. In my opinion, the player needs a couple loan moves over the next couple of seasons to see meaningful improvements in the awareness and experience the youngster has.
With that improved experience working alongside his existing talent, the player can be expected to join the first team when the time eventually comes. A 21-year-old Alves should be starting at the King Power.
Where do you think Will Alves could be sent on loan? From our old favourite Luton Town to Callum Wright’s Cheltenham Town, there are plenty of good options. Let Foxes of Leicester know on our social media channels.