Five impressive players from Leicester’s first friendly v Notts County

Foxes of Leicester selects five players who impressed in Leicester City’s first preseason 2022/23 friendly versus Notts County.

Leicester completed their initial non-competitive clash with a 2-1 loss to non-league Notts County. While that result holds no real significance to LCFC, I’m sure an outcome defeating Premier League opposition will buoy the Magpies ahead of their campaign.

Unfortunately for supporters like myself, we were forced to view another set-piece capitulation from Brendan Rodgers’ men. Although it is now clear that coaching is the issue, as differing personnel also struggled with the approach. Conceding from a corner in lacklustre fashion then a free header from a free-kick is significant, sadly, due to Leicester’s atrocious record in the area in 2021/22.

Technically East Midlands rivals, the two teams deployed much of their respective rosters. The Foxes used separate starting XIs for either half. That means Leicester were up to 22 competitors on the day, including two new trialists named Paul Appiah and Deniche Hill.

From the performers, FoL selected a quintet of standout stars on the rise for the Blue Army to look out for. Please now click the link directly underneath this sentence to see the player reviews.

Leicester City’s Thomas Wilson-Brown

When Leicester announced the first half side on their official social media accounts, many fans were surprised to see a name they weren’t familiar with. Though Wilson-Brown has been a youth player with the King Power club for some time, making his LCFC under-18 debut in the 2020/21 season.

In the following term, Wilson-Brown rose to prominence by making 28 appearances for the young Foxes. It appears he is being fast tracked on Filbert Way, and we can expect a decent run with the Development Squad.

In the game, which the predominantly left-sided centreback began, the 18-year-old caught my eye for his Virgil Van Dijk-esque stature, composure and elegance. With the former’s size, you know he can win balls aerially as well as giving a good account of himself in the challenge.

Shane Flynn

Flynn is possibly my favourite from the rising Leicester starlets, along with Lewis Brunt, who did not feature versus Notts. Flynn is 20, and looks like he could be in the Championship weekly when it restarts. The EPL may be a stretch at present, though I predict an eventual English top-flight career for the eye-catching Irishman.

Already an Ireland Under-21 international, Flynn’s progression feels a slightly higher yet noticeable level above most of his teammates. As a leftback with all the qualities of a Kiernan Tierney-type, Brendan Rodgers will likely keep a close watch over his asset’s evolution.

Callum Wright

Wright has a very bright future ahead of him, whether that is with the Foxes remains to be seen. In the practice match, he tried to be positive on every occasion he had the ball – and it worked almost every time. I would probably give him or Hamza Choudhury the Man of the Match award, if applicable.

Now four years a Fox, the winger will have pleased Rodgers with obvious improvements since scoring nine goals for Cheltenham Town on loan last season. He hit the post with a superbly carved out snap shot, as well as making clear cut chances for his colleagues. However, Wright is now 22, so he really needs to step up to the Championship in some form. Or perhaps the EPL beckons.

Wanya Marcal-Madivadua

A tricky, confident and competent wingman, Marcal-Madivadua will entertain his followers at all cost. But that doesn’t mean he is a turnover merchant either: he picks a pass when in trouble, constantly finding space to receive the return ball.

Another element which stood out was when the Porto-born man was forced to help out his defence. Marcal-Madivadua was under pressure in the rightback remit yet calmly played his way out of trouble with skill, vision and movement. When attacking a defender, the 19-year-old can be frighteningly dangerous!

Taiwan Maswanhise

Leicester have a tremendous amount of talent in the ranks of their youth, and Maswanhise is among the forefront of that group. Another wideman with a rounded skill set, I suspect he will be a little disappointed with his display yesterday as he is typically one of the best performers when I watch the Under-23s.

That is not to say Maswanhise had a bad game at all, he is just normally outstanding. There were still glimpses of expert dribbling and enlightened examples of play. The Zimbabwean remains a fan favourite among the younger set and one of the most promising prospects.