Leicester City have put pen to paper on 15 newly professional contracts for academy stars. Here is what you must know and the best amongst them.
Finally some good news for Foxes fans, as the King Power side has given out 15 new contracts U23 and U18 players, which will see them turn professional at the club, rather than being at the club on a development deal. This paves the way for the next generation.
Below, I will list out the newly turned professional players, and then examine the futures of the very best of the young and talented crop. These 15 could be ‘the best’, but we are going to be a little more picky than that.
Leicester City’s next defenders
Apart from exciting goalkeeper Brad Young – who only joined the side in the summer from Hartlepool – a host of defensive talents have been given professional contracts, despite the already exhaustive list of great players.
Leicester have given centre-backs Ben Nelson, Lewis Brunt, Bayli Spencer-Adams, Ronny Nelson, and the extremely impressive Ben Grist new deals. Fullback Iestyn Hughes has also joined the fray.
This next generation of Foxes adds to the already engorged crop of defensive talents coming through the ranks on professional deals. Shane Flynn and Vontae Daley-Campbell – both fullbacks – are already a part of this generational shift, it will be difficult to uplift them.
Next generation midfielders
Some truly brilliant midfielders have come through the King Power academy. Hamza Choudhury and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are the obvious examples who have already planted themselves within the senior side.
Possibly joining those senior players are Wanya Marcal-Madivadua, Kasey McAteer (Mr. Versatile), Ethan Fitzhugh, Zach Booth, and of course Sammy Braybrooke. Three of these names should come at no surprise to Foxes supporters.
This being said, it is hard to see all these names unseating players in the senior side anytime soon. At least most of them are exceptionally young, so have plenty of time to unseat players. Though, they will have to compete with the loanee Callum Wright, who continues to impress for Cheltenham Town.
Future-facing forwards
Harvey Barnes was once an academy player, one who would constantly be sent out on loan to gain senior team experience before Brendan Rodgers integrated the explosive winger into the team. Now, he is indispensable.
Following in that pathway are the excellent Tawanda Maswanhise and Chirstopher Popov. Maswanhise is destined to join the senior side, with a technical ability only second in the youth setup to Will Alves.
Alongside those two wingers, the strong Welsh striker Will Russ has agreed a professional contract with Leicester City. The lesser-known player has been on fine form and proved himself a great prospect.
The best of Leicester City 2.0
The next step for the King Power club is to transition away from big money moves for senior players, and towards a stronger emphasis on a star-studded academy. One that can generate big funds, and one that can develop senior players at a better return rate for the investment.
This is Leicester City 2.0, and the requisite is a strong academy. This has now been achieved, with the Foxes once again granted ‘category one‘ status – the highest status possible. Importantly, Leicester is a development centre for star talents, so here are those players most likely to make the step into the senior side.
Brad Young, Daniel Iversen, and Jakub Stolarczyk will be vying for that goalkeeper role as Kasper Schmeichel and Eldin Jakupovic reach the twilight of their careers. Of course, we know the Great Dane will be here for many more years, but I expect Stolarczyk and Young to be in the next generation of goalkeepers.
Of the defenders, beyond the obvious Flynn and Daley-Campbell, Ben Nelson and Lewis Brunt are the next on the list to be promoted. Brunt has already featured for Rodgers’ side in the FA Cup win over Watford. Meanwhile, Nelson is highly rated by coaches and supporters, and it is only a matter of time before his senior debut.
Ben Grist is also a strong shout, who I expect to get an early entry to the senior side through European football when the opportunity arises. The defender is very impressive for his age.
From the midfield, Marcal-Madivadua and Braybrooke are the next in line to progress into the senior side. Despite the displays of Wright, I expect these two to leapfrog the English versatile midfielder.
Braybrooke is a technical, aware, and positive defensive midfielder, as energetic as Choudhury and as potent as Wright. Marcal-Madivadua is an elegant midfielder, able to progress and possess the ball well. He will be a future holder of that coveted box-to-box role.
Upfront, Maswanhise is already nearing a debut. For the player to have not already featured is only because we have been knocked out of most cup competitions. He is an exceptional player, with brilliant technique and dangerous in front of goal.