Within a dismal two years for Leicester, the academy has been one of the only glimmers of hope. In regards to the youth system, the investment into a state-of-the-art training complex has seemingly paid off. The amount of talent coming through seems to increase year by year, with even more in the first team this season.<\/p>\n
Louis Page, Jeremy Monga, and Bade Aluko have all made the step up, and with a season in League One on the horizon, could it be Jayden Joseph to next solidify himself?<\/p>\n
Read More: <\/strong>Exciting Prospect Jake Evans Is Already Showing Signs of Being Ready<\/a><\/p>\n Unlike many of his fellow academy graduates, Joseph actually began his career at Manchester City. He moved to the East Midlands at 16 years old and has never looked back. Around 70 appearances came for the academy, alongside an impressive few games for the first team in pre-season. Interim manager Andy King even heavily praised the 20-year-old, further emphasising his quality. \u201cHe\u2019s one of them you tell him something once, and he will stay technically very good, unbelievable athlete,\u201d King said<\/a>.<\/p>\n Given his rapid development, a loan was the perfect next step for Joseph. He joined Tranmere Rovers for an initial six months, though a terrific run of performances led to an extension till the end of the season. Despite Rovers battling for safety, Joseph is widely regarded as one of the shining lights in a struggling team. He can play various positions, including full-back and on the wings, but it seems like the latter is where he is excelling.<\/p>\n In the 12 games he was absent due to injury, Tranmere scored six goals and won four points. However, in the five games Joseph has played since returning, they have won the same amount of points, with him involved in three out of their five goals. The impact is undeniable.<\/p>\n Last night’s game versus Cheltenham was no different; a half-time alteration to play him further forward worked a treat. Joseph scored a Van Basten-esque<\/a> wonder goal to give his side the lead, before adding an assist to seal all three points. Following the final whistle, manager Pete Wild sang his players’ praises. He said<\/a>: \u201cHe\u2019s a top player and is going to have some career. I thought he was excellent when he played higher up and allowed us to press their full-backs, forcing them to kick it long, which is what we wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n It’s no secret that this summer is going to be full of change. Relegation to League One comes with cataclysmic ramifications both on and off the pitch. John Percy’s latest report<\/a> even said that without new Chief Executive Kevin Davies, the financial picture would arguably have been worse. The club will be desperate to make cuts, with several of the architects of the back-to-back relegations set to go. Abdul Fatawu is almost nailed on to depart, whilst other attackers like Patson Daka, Jeremy Monga and Jordan Ayew are also likely to leave. Therefore, with all the exits, there will be an onus on the youngsters.<\/p>\n Joseph is in a great position as he is coming off the back of an impressive campaign, his first campaign in men’s football. The experience should bode well for him, especially when looking to become a starter for the Foxes. His versatility also helps as he can play most roles on the pitch. “He can play right-back, centre-half, right-wing, number eight, number six, he can probably play number 10,\u201d King said in pre-season. <\/a>With Leicester’s financial turmoil, it’s likely that it will be another quiet transfer window in terms of incomings. Therefore, players who can feature anywhere will be helpful for depth over the gruelling 50+ game season.<\/p>\nAnother Leicester Talent Ready For The First-Team<\/h2>\n
Jayden Joseph: Proving His Worth<\/h3>\n
Can Jayden Joseph Make a Difference Next Season?<\/h3>\n