Anyone following Leicester City knows of Jeremy Monga. While some already have him leaving the East Midlands, he is actually an essential cornerstone that the club can build around.
Only 15 years of age, Monga is generating a lot of buzz and interest. Understandably so. The youngster looks comfortable playing at the senior team level and nearly scored against Nottingham Forest.
Oftentimes, the issue for players stepping up a level is not being able to match the physicality and increased demands compared to playing with those closer to one's age. This obviously becomes less of an issue as a player becomes older, but for a teenager still in school, it's a significant factor to consider when evaluating his performance.
So far, he is passing the tests that have been expected of him and has earned the opportunity for Ruud van Nistelrooy to want to keep putting him on the pitch and seeing how he does. In terms of going up in competition level, Monga has the needed stature that allows him not to be picked on by the opposition. With his body expected to develop more, it's nice to see this being the current benchmark for him in that regard.
It's a tremendous early stride in Monga's career. He'll know better than anyone, however, that it is only the start. There is plenty of work to do, and this can't be the height of his playing days.
Honest self-assessment, particularly at such a young age, is important. As shared by the LCFC media page, Monga shared:
"I feel like I done alright, could have done better, obviously always room for improvement."
And those words are the best possible phrase that could come out of his mouth at the moment. He is understandably excited, as he should be. There are also plenty of cautionary tales of youngsters who showed early promise, only to soon fizzle out.
Maintaining the needed hunger and drive to work on weaknesses and not necessarily believe all of the hype is critical to achieving true success as a professional.
Monga will have the potential to play a lot of minutes. Albeit, now it will be in the Championship, but the teenager will gain valuable first-team experience and should be able to stay with the club for at least a little while longer if he stays focused.