Leicester City’s U23 squad’s starlets are set to be afforded a chance during pre-season. Here are the three who could emulate their graduate companions.
As Brendan Rodgers prepares for a busy pre-season, with six friendlies, a training camp, and the integration of youth talent planned, there will be a chance to assess squad depth. We already know players like Daniel Iversen are to be given an opportunity.
However, alongside the typical loanees returning to try and impress the gaffer, there will equally be an opportunity for U23 starlets looking to make their name ahead of loan moves and senior side appearances. There are certainly more than just a few.
Here, I shall list three that I think will have the best chance of emulating Harvey Barnes and Luke Thomas – two players who impressed and got their senior chance. Usually, the Foxes like to send players on loan, only Thomas did not go through this development stage.
Leicester City’s in-demand CB
English international Ben Nelson has been the topic of transfer speculation as of late. It was reported that both Manchester clubs and Newcastle United have been scouting the defender ahead of potential moves for the starlet.
As such, there exists no time to wait. The King Power club must commence his integration into the senior side beyond those cameo bench appearances in myriad competitions. He needs to get a chance to play for Rodgers.
Nelson has been critical for the development side. The central defender has contributed as a leader, a last line of defence, the beginning of progression, and someone a goalkeeper wants ahead of them. The Englishman is impressive.
Tall, strong, and intelligent, the profile of the player suits the Jonny Evans role currently being fulfilled by the ever-reliable Northern Irish defender. Composing the backline and remaining calm under the intense pressure of matches. The opposite of fan-favourite Wesley Fofana.
There are two possibilities for next season, either he remains with the Foxes and starts in domestic cups, or he should be sent on loan to further his development. I have faith the club will choose the right course of action.
A versatile attacker
From attacking midfield to the left wing, Leicester can always do with more players offering options. Now, the successful loanee Callum Wright should be given his chance soon. The English midfielder to right-winger will be under intense scrutiny.
Alongside him, one of my favourite talents – Tawanda Maswanhise – was involved in the 21/22 pre-season and will definitely be involved once again. He is our top goalscorer for the Premier League 2 team, with 10 goals.
This Zimbabwean talent is versatile, creative, pacy, passionate, and mostly technically gifted. The profile of this player is a perfect fit for a competition with graduate Barnes. I hope he gets his chance to impress, and I know that the winger will get into the senior side.
I should rather allow the player out on loan to further development with senior game time in the Championship. The talent of Maswanhise is undeniable, but whether or not he is physically ready for Premier League football is a matter of debate – the answer is likely not.
Maswanhise will play in pre-season, so there is always that possibility a senior gets injured, or the Foxes fail to sign a new attacker. In those situations, the Zimbabwean could be given his run-out similar to Thomas instead of Barnes.
The future midfielder
Our youth pool has myriad midfielders of varying positions and levels of creativity, ball-winning, and progressive intent. One such key CM is Wanya Marcal-Madivadua. A Portuguese wonderkid proving himself in the U23 team.
A regular starter providing all the technical grace and passing acumen one day necessary to compete for that Youri Tielemans role. Passing and progression are the hallmarks of his game, making neat short passes to retain the ball and progress it forwards.
With the futures of Hamza Choudhury, Boubakary Soumare, Papy Mendy, and Tielemans questioned by the club, ‘WMM’ has a unique chronology to get into the senior setup in the future. During pre-season, with others on holiday, unless there is a purchase, the Portuguese midfielder will be one of the only bench options until the return of internationals.
With that opportunity I believe Marcal-Madivadua will play well, impress, and either start in domestic cup matches or have ad-hoc senior side appearances over the next season. Beyond that, a loan move would be highly beneficial for the player.
Which players do you believe will make the jump into senior team action? Will Wright or Iversen remain or leave, and should these three get their chances to prove themselves to Rodgers? Let Foxes of Leicester know on our social media channels.