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davieG

Khanya Leshabela is officially a part of the Leicester City first team squad for the coming season

By davieG, in Leicester City Forum

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davieG

davieG

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https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2019-06-26-sa-player-officially-part-of-leicester-citys-first-team-squad-in-new-english-premier-league-season/

 

South Africa Under-20 winger Khanya Leshabela is officially a part of the Leicester City first team squad for the coming season‚ a rare presence for the country in England’s Premier League.

Leshabela will be given the chance to fight for the place under coach Brendon Rodgers‚ and joins only Bournemouth’s Andrew Surman as South African-born players in one of the world’s elite leagues.

The 19-year-old made just a single appearance at the recent FIFA Under-20 World Cup‚ playing 76 minutes in the 1-1 draw against Portugal when Amajita were already facing elimination.

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Leshabela plays as a winger but can also tuck inside and his path to a starting place is blocked by a number of experienced internationals at the Foxes‚ though he can point to the likes of Hamza Choudhury and Ben Chilwell who have made a successful step up to the first team from the Under-23s in the last few years.

As things stand though he is the youngest member of the first team squad and the only teenager in the group.

Leshabela was handed a three-and-a-half-year contract by Leicester in January‚ after excelling in his first season with the club’s Under-23s.

He did earn a place on the first team bench in a League clash with Southampton last season‚ but did not make it onto the pitch.

“I’ve worked hard to get this and I’m just grateful to be given such an opportunity‚” he said at the time.

“I’m just looking to push forward and push into the first team.

“It’s gone really quick. It literally just flies by. It’s been a good journey and I just want to stay in the game for many more years.”

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Foxxed

Foxxed

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I watched him a few times in the u23s and he was good but he didn't blow me away. Hopefully Rodgers helps him make the successful transition to the first team. His name sounds like a romanic latin american take on Leicester so what's not to love.

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rachhere

rachhere

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Just now, Foxxed said:

I watched him a few times in the u23s and he was good but he didn't blow me away. Hopefully Rodgers helps him make the successful transition to the first team. His name sounds like a romanic latin american take on Leicester so what's not to love.

Agreed - he didn’t excite me that much to be honest. But presumably he’s shown something in training. 

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22 minutes ago, Foxxed said:

I watched him a few times in the u23s and he was good but he didn't blow me away. Hopefully Rodgers helps him make the successful transition to the first team. His name sounds like a romanic latin american take on Leicester so what's not to love.

I agree. He didn't stand out at U23, there were always a few better players in each match he played, It didn't even look as though he was a championship loan level. The piece I think is more aimed at talking up the fact we have a South African player, I feel pretty sure he'll be in the U23s again this season.

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Jimmy

Jimmy

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25 minutes ago, brucey said:

Aren't the academy kids technically automatically part of the first team squad anyway, since they don't count towards the squad limit?

yes but they don't train with them, only the top prospects do

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Jimmy

Jimmy

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36 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Probably only officially part of the first team squad due to nationality and age? 

he's a teenager he could be moved to the u23s if too old for the U18s now.

 

That said clubs will often take their top young players with the first team in pre season, doesn't mean they'll be in the first team come the start of the season

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Ric Flair

Ric Flair

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16 minutes ago, Jimmy said:

he's a teenager he could be moved to the u23s if too old for the U18s now.

 

That said clubs will often take their top young players with the first team in pre season, doesn't mean they'll be in the first team come the start of the season

I think it's more he's no longer on a youth contract but now a professional contract.

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MarriedaLeicesterGirl

MarriedaLeicesterGirl

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1 hour ago, Clarkey123 said:

So we’ve now got this lad in the first team squad, makes me wonder what will happen to the likes of George Thomas? Seemingly a forgotten lad

South African newspaper equates contract with first team squad. Although, judging by my Instagram-stalking, even a bench appearance gets you the karaoke hazing session with the senior squad.

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