Despite Leicester City's myriad issues on and off the pitch, one standout positive exists: youth quality. In truth, that is a profound understatement: the Foxes' up-and-coming collective arguably contains future Premier League pedigree and international capacity.
Young Foxes to young Lions
It is an irrefutable testament to this burgeoning talent that a significant contingent of the Under-21, Under-20, and Under-18 cohorts are currently representing England's youth ranks this month. Pertinently, a compelling suggestion has surfaced in the local media that Gary Rowett might turn his gaze toward two fairly untested academy strikers.
"...unlike in the past, City do have in-form forwards in their youth ranks."Jordan Blackwell - LCFC Live
Amidst the almost comical struggles of forward duo Jordan Ayew and Patson Daka, this is by no means an uninformed assertion. Finding a reliable spark in attack has become paramount, and the thirst for a fresh, unburdened catalyst is palpable amongst the Filbert Way faithful.
"Kirsten Otchere has eight goals and four assists in his last 12 appearances for the Under-21s. Across league matches for the Under-18s and Under-21s, Lorenz Hutchinson has 19 goals and eight assists in 22 appearances."
​Yet, the claim probably still remains decidedly wide of the mark. Rowett has previously, and quite unequivocally, implied that he favours the bite of experience over raw promise when navigating the unforgiving crucible of a relegation run-in.
"There’s no doubt that giving either Otchere or Hutchinson a chance would be a gamble."
Will Gary Rowett turn to Leicester City prospects Lorenz Hutchinson and Kirsten Otchere?
Naturally, the manager recently contradicted even his own solemn declarations, muddying the tactical waters and leaving supporters to decipher his true intent. Rowett also has less players to work with over the break (including Lorenz Hutchinson). Read more on those stories by clicking here.
​Nevertheless, Kirsten Otchere and Hutchinson remain both prolific and available, albeit young; that didn't stop Max Dowman! These vibrant, clinical young marksmen possess a fearlessness that senior paralysis so often extinguishes.
Whether Rowett summons the courage to unleash them or retreats into conservative pragmatism remains a potentially definitive subplot of Leicester's survival bid. If the established order continues to falter, ignoring this vibrant reservoir of native potential may become a luxury that LCFC management simply cannot afford.