Following Leicester City’s advancement into the FA Cup fourth round, much of the interest remains in the club’s academy. Throughout the 2-0 win over Cheltenham Town, eight academy graduates entered the pitch, which hasn’t been commonplace this season. When they played Derby just a few weeks ago, seven were on the field, which further highlights the focus even in league games. Therefore, we have a look at Marti Cifuentes’ thoughts following the game and why these players are so crucial.
Leicester Academy Impresses Once Again in The Cup
Cheltenham Town Win
Ever since moving to the £100m Seagrave training centre, higher expectations have emerged for the academy. Whilst it’s taken its time, it seems as though City are finally reaping their rewards. Just this season alone has seen the likes of Silko Thomas, Jeremy Monga, Bade Aluko, and Louis Page all starting games. This was no different. Against the League Two side, Aluko and Page completed their first 90 minutes for the club, which is another landmark. The impressive displays bode well and should heap pressure on Cifuentes, after he dropped the duo down to the under-21s team earlier this term.
When talking to the media after the game, the Spaniard reinstated his faith in the youthful core. He said: “Day one, when I came here, I said I am a big believer in what we have here.” Whilst his actions haven’t always aligned with his belief in these players, as shown by Monga’s lack of starts, Ben Nelson’s absence from the squad for months or Evans being forgot, today’s game seems like a step forward.
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In addition to this, Cifuentes also praised the relationships built between those players advancing into the first team. He added: ” The combination of them all, with people like Aluko and Monga, I’m pleased with their energy and desire.” The synergy formed throughout their time in the academy certainly stood out in the first half as Thomas and Aluko were constantly rotating between hugging the touchline and the half space. This is not only a testament to the quality of the players coming through but also the coaching within the academy system. However, it’s not only those who played at Cheltenham that are impressing this season, as the fight to keep everyone becomes increasingly tough.
Leicester Academy Pathways
Ever since Brexit, the focus on academy players in Britain has increased tenfold. This is because foreign players available to English clubs dropped by around 90%, which meant they could only target talent within England. As a result, the race to sign the best talent coming through has become more and more vitriolic. The Foxes have experienced this themselves as Trey Nyoni and Tyrese Noubissie arrived at Liverpool and Manchester City for minimal fees.
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Therefore, showing a pathway into the first team is more important than ever. Monga signing a new deal this summer was likely due to this, as he has been a first-team regular this season, as opposed to playing academy football as he would have at Man City or Chelsea. Similarly, Evans, Page and Aluko all committed their future to the club last year, which further emphasises the need to build around them.
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This hasn’t always been the case under the manager, as shown through the reasons above, which is one of the many reasons he has drawn supporter apathy. Playing a full team of academy graduates is not sustainable, but easing them in is pivotal. After struggling at times earlier in the campaign, Page and Aluko have improved leaps and bounds as the season goes on, which has put increasing pressure on first-team players for starts. Whether this will come isn’t clear yet, but the performances against a tough and aggressive Cheltenham side were more than convincing.
The Future
Even outside of the first team players, the academy sides are prospering like never before. The under-21s sit sixth in their league, with 15-year-old England regular Darren Motsi scoring in consecutive games. The left-footed midfielder, whose birthday is shared by Monga and Page, has now scored in consecutive games and is mirroring the trajectory of those older than him. Likewise, the under-18 side is currently third in their league, and just two points adrift from the top. Striker Lorenz Hutchinson, who signed a new deal in the summer, has already found the net on 14 occasions this season, with four assists in 12 games. Creative midfielder Hugo De Lisle is also impressive for the Foxes and England, having scored five goals in his last five games.
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Whilst there’s so much uncertainty currently surrounding the side, the academy is thriving. If Leicester want to get back to the stability of a few years ago, it will have to come through the talent in their ranks. Whether that means selling for profit to stabilise their Financial Fair Play or making use of them, it’s clear this is the structure needed. Having players such as Harry Winks and Wout Faes not delivering every week with wages as high as £90,000 isn’t sustainable and has actively left the Foxes in turmoil. With many of the highest earners out of contract this summer, the time for change is now. Whether Cifuentes is the right man to do this isn’t clear yet, but whoever is in charge has to make use of this luxury.
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