Development/Youth Squads 2021/2022 Thread

[davieG]

only three of the 41 starting line-ups fielded by City this season have not included a player who came up through the club’s academy - the Premier League wins over Manchester United and Brentford in October, and the 1-1 home draw with Spartak Moscow. In fact,

 

City have had an academy graduate in the matchday squad for every game since a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in December 2018, a run of 165 matches.

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leicester-city-rodgers-thomas-academy-6805793

 

Rodgers makes Leicester City commitment even with Luke Thomas route closed off
Two of City's academy graduates have established themselves as first-team players during Brendan Rodgers' tenure

ByJordan Blackwell
13:56, 15 MAR 2022UPDATED14:31, 15 MAR 2022

The four Leicester City academy graduates in the first team: Hamza Choudhury, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Luke Thomas, and Harvey Barnes
New kids on the block... Leicester City academy graduates Hamza Choudhury, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Luke Thomas and Harvey Barnes (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Brendan Rodgers is committed to promoting more Leicester City academy graduates into the first team, even if the path Luke Thomas took is now closed off.

Under Rodgers, left-back Thomas and central midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have risen from the development ranks and established themselves not only as senior squad members, but prominent first-team players. Thomas has even been named by the manager as City’s player of the season so far.

With Harvey Barnes and Hamza Choudhury also in the first team, only three of the 41 starting line-ups fielded by City this season have not included a player who came up through the club’s academy - the Premier League wins over Manchester United and Brentford in October, and the 1-1 home draw with Spartak Moscow. In fact, City have had an academy graduate in the matchday squad for every game since a 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in December 2018, a run of 165 matches.

 

There is plenty of scope for more youngsters to break through, not least with Rodgers affording an opportunity to the likes of Kasey McAteer, Wanya Madivadua, and Will Alves this season. City have an under-23s team that, despite a significant lowering of the average age of the side, has held its own in Premier League 2, while the under-18s have been challenging for titles too.

Led by Adam Barradell, the under-18s reached the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals, where they lost to Manchester United, while they are fifth in their league and had been competing for top spot until a recent run of four games without victory. On Wednesday, they host Fulham in the Premier League Cup semi-final hoping to book their place against Chelsea in the final.

However, despite the impressive performances of many of the youngsters in those development sides, following in the footsteps of Thomas may prove difficult. Rather than go out on loan to get senior experience, he went straight into the City first team with only a handful of under-23s games to his name.

But Rodgers said he felt more confident in chucking Thomas in at the deep end because it came at a time when there were no crowds in stadiums. That allowed him to learn his trade without the pressure of playing in front of 30,000 or more spectators. Still, the manager is determined to establish more academy players in the first team.

He said: “I think one of the things I’m not bad at, in my career, is bringing in young players. It’s just about timing really, and knowing they are at the level.

“Those two players who have come in, I felt Kiernan needed a loan to go feel the pressure, to play some games and get some experience. Luke came in, and that was a different circumstance. Stadiums were empty, so he could come in and play without the pressure of crowds and find his way, so by the time the crowds were there, he had played 30 games or so.

“It’s something I always look at. When I came in I brought in a vision of looking to win some titles, playing good football and giving as many young players from our academy the opportunity.

 

“That’s inherent in me, I’ll always look for young players. And if I think they’re ready, we’ll give them the opportunity. If we think they need a loan spell before they’re here, because some players need a career outside of the club before they have a career here, it is something that I’ll always look at. I’m pretty sure there will be more players who come through in my time here.”

[Thefoxman]

6 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

Alves needs a 35 yard ripsnorter IMO, we need the hype ramping up again.

Hopefully he does mate! love the word ripsnorter lol.

[Angus Scott]

7 hours ago, Thefoxman said:

Semi final of the Premier league Cup tommorow night for the 18s against Fulham.

 

Buzzing to see Alves ect at the new training ground stadium.

Needless to say nothing about this on the club website. Could you please tell me what time is ko & are people allowed to go & watch it ( if so is a advance ticket required)

[davieG]

https://www.lcfc.com/news/2535429/barradell-a-great-occasion-awaits-in-pl-cup

 

Barradell: A Great Occasion Awaits In PL Cup
ACADEMY

2 MinutesReading time
Leicester City Under-18s coach Adam Barradell is looking forward to the prospect of facing Fulham in the semi-finals of the U18 Premier League Cup on Wednesday evening.
- LCFC Training Ground is set to host U18 Premier League Cup Semi-Final
- Leicester City’s Under-18s entertain Fulham in a 7pm kick-off on Wednesday
- Coach Adam Barradell previewed the last-four tie with the Cottagers
- He is confident that the young Foxes will turn the tide in the coming weeks

The young Foxes host the Cottagers in a 7pm kick-off at LCFC Training Ground, aiming to reach the final of the 2021/22 competition after defeating Brighton & Hove Albion in the previous round. 

City made it to the last eight of the FA Youth Cup before bowing out at Manchester United earlier this term and Barradell is keen to see the group test themselves once more against tough opponents.

“They are great occasions and we’ve had a lot of great games this year,” City’s coach told LCFC.com ahead of the last-four clash. “Obviously, the Youth Cup run that we had, some really good games in the league and in the semi-final on Wednesday, we’ll be looking to progress and get through.”

Although the results have not been there for us [recently], the performance level has, so hopefully if we can just execute technically in the final third better, then the results will come in the next couple of games.

 

Adam Barradell LCFC.com
After a 5-1 triumph over Stoke City, Chelsea await the winners of this tie and while Leicester are currently without victory in five across all competitions, there is still plenty of positives to take from the campaign, according to Barradell. 

He continued: “I think the boys did excellently earlier on in the season to put that [13 game] unbeaten run together. It’s not easy to get that consistency of performance at youth level. So, the boys did absolutely fantastically to do that.

“Although the results have not been there for us [recently], the performance level has, so hopefully if we can just execute technically in the final third better, then the results will come in the next couple of games.

 

Jack Butterfill
Forward Jack Butterfill scored the only goal of the game when City last met Fulham.

 

“The progression of some of the individual players at the moment is pleasing. Obviously, we’ve got boys playing regularly in the Under-23s from the Under-18s and we’re starting to now see the integration from some of the Under-16s coming up with the Under-18s. There’s a lot of good development and pleasing work happening.”

The two sides sit level on points in the U18 Premier League South table as things stands, with the Cottagers ahead on goal difference having won their last three games, but it was the Foxes who came out on top when the teams last met in Seagrave, courtesy of

 

Jack Butterfill’s late winner.

 

Barradell added: “We’ll look at Fulham as we do with every team we play. We’re meticulous in our work, we’ll look at what the opposition do, but we’ll also focus on ourselves and putting our game model and stamp on the game. But we know Fulham, we know them well having played them this year already earlier on in the season.”

[Thefoxman]

16 hours ago, Angus Scott said:

Needless to say nothing about this on the club website. Could you please tell me what time is ko & are people allowed to go & watch it ( if so is a advance ticket required)

Hi mate, no tickets for general public sorry.

All for academy players & family. I got a few more for friends ect.

[Ryy]

 

[Ric Flair]

Team vs Fulham in the PL Cup

[Ryy]

1-0 down things have really gone downhill since losing to Man United 

[Angus Scott]

5 hours ago, Thefoxman said:

Hi mate, no tickets for general public sorry.

All for academy players & family. I got a few more for friends ect.

Thank you

[Ric Flair]

57 minutes ago, Nannypig7 said:

1-0 down things have really gone downhill since losing to Man United 

2-0 down now. They're in free fall.

[Thefoxman]

45 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

2-0 down now. They're in free fall.

Lost 2-0.

 

Alves was ridiculous! if this lad doesn't go right to the top il eat my hat. Shame it was a 1 man team.

[Ric Flair]

7 minutes ago, Thefoxman said:

Lost 2-0.

 

Alves was ridiculous! if this lad doesn't go right to the top il eat my hat. Shame it was a 1 man team.

Good to hear, did he create many chances or was it more ridiculous skill that got frantically cleared just before he got in good positions?

[Thefoxman]

12 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Good to hear, did he create many chances or was it more ridiculous skill that got frantically cleared just before he got in good positions?

He was just dribbling past everyone mate and had a few shots and created. Fulham just parked the bus the whole of the second half and we struggled to break through. Tbh we had alot of chances first half but didn't take any.

 

Alves head and shoulders above anyone on that pitch. Braybrooke did ok but not one of his better games.

[sacreblueits442]

16 minutes ago, Thefoxman said:

He was just dribbling past everyone mate and had a few shots and created. Fulham just parked the bus the whole of the second half and we struggled to break through. Tbh we had alot of chances first half but didn't take any.

 

Alves head and shoulders above anyone on that pitch. Braybrooke did ok but not one of his better games.

....the last couple of games I have watched Braybrooke, he has been playing too deep and seem to push forward in the back end of the game!!!

[Thefoxman]

7 minutes ago, sacreblueits442 said:

....the last couple of games I have watched Braybrooke, he has been playing too deep and seem to push forward in the back end of the game!!!

Mate said the same thing all night! looked alot better in last 20 minutes when he moved further forward.

[Aleksz]

How long has Maswanhise been at the club? Is he eligible for the B list? Just noticed he’s not included on it... as it stands 👀

[Ric Flair]

6 minutes ago, Aleksz said:

How long has Maswanhise been at the club? Is he eligible for the B list? Just noticed he’s not included on it... as it stands 👀

He can be added, he'd have to have been added yesterday though I think.

[st albans fox]

1 hour ago, Ric Flair said:

He can be added, he'd have to have been added yesterday though I think.

I think rodgers has made his decision re the physicality of the younger boys and only a few are currently considered to be up to the task. 

[Ric Flair]

5 minutes ago, st albans fox said:

I think rodgers has made his decision re the physicality of the younger boys and only a few are currently considered to be up to the task. 

Yeah seems that way, although he was training with the team the day they departed for Rennes, seems odd why you'd bother?

[Jabfox]

Guess we are all gonna have to be patient to watch Will Alves, hopefully he plays against man utd u23's at the king power soon so I can see more of him live. 

 

Is he the highest thought of player we've had coming through the academy even compared to Chilwell, Barnes etc? very interested to see how his career develops with us, @Ric Flair any idea on whether the club would look to loan him out eventually or gradually bring him into the first team? 

 

 

[Ric Flair]

9 minutes ago, Jabfox said:

Guess we are all gonna have to be patient to watch Will Alves, hopefully he plays against man utd u23's at the king power soon so I can see more of him live. 

 

Is he the highest thought of player we've had coming through the academy even compared to Chilwell, Barnes etc? very interested to see how his career develops with us, @Ric Flair any idea on whether the club would look to loan him out eventually or gradually bring him into the first team? 

 

 

I don't have much inside info other than someone who does know what goes on said Rudkin has been very proactive in ensuring Alves and his family know just how well regarded he is here. Its why the club have largely bypassed the U18's this season with him except for when the U23's aren't playing and trying to expose him to higher standards as early as possible to see if his unique skillset stands up to it.

 

That's the uncertainty with very skillful and technical players, they still might not make it. The club thought Layton Ndukwu was one of the best talents they'd ever had when he was around 15-16 and it just didn't work out for him.

 

Hopefully though we are now seeing a better standard of environment and Rodgers does look to integrate as early as possible the best academy players in to regular first team training to keep an eye on them and see if they are capable of coping. Alves is already doing that occasionally aged just 16 so I think there's every confidence.

 

I suspect he wouldn't be loaned next season as he'll still not long be 17, but fingers crossed that 1st pro deal is all but agreed and will be signed in May on his 17th birthday. I'd expect him to stay with us for another year or so before a potential loan move if he hasn't yet made an impact. 

[Jabfox]

1 hour ago, Ric Flair said:

I don't have much inside info other than someone who does know what goes on said Rudkin has been very proactive in ensuring Alves and his family know just how well regarded he is here. Its why the club have largely bypassed the U18's this season with him except for when the U23's aren't playing and trying to expose him to higher standards as early as possible to see if his unique skillset stands up to it.

 

That's the uncertainty with very skillful and technical players, they still might not make it. The club thought Layton Ndukwu was one of the best talents they'd ever had when he was around 15-16 and it just didn't work out for him.

 

Hopefully though we are now seeing a better standard of environment and Rodgers does look to integrate as early as possible the best academy players in to regular first team training to keep an eye on them and see if they are capable of coping. Alves is already doing that occasionally aged just 16 so I think there's every confidence.

 

I suspect he wouldn't be loaned next season as he'll still not long be 17, but fingers crossed that 1st pro deal is all but agreed and will be signed in May on his 17th birthday. I'd expect him to stay with us for another year or so before a potential loan move if he hasn't yet made an impact. 

Nice one mate, appreciate the reply! blimey I still follow Layton on Instagram any idea of what happened there and where he is now? 

 

One of my good mates was in the same team as joey keaveny and Kian Williams. not sure any of that age group have gone on to achieve much, my mate is at one of the best university teams in America, Kian's doing pretty well over in Iceland I believe. 

 

Just interesting how you can have so much potential and opportunity at an academy like ours and end up not making it and becoming an average joe, I feel the majority of academy player's are essentially squad fillers?   

[sacreblueits442]

21 minutes ago, Jabfox said:

Nice one mate, appreciate the reply! blimey I still follow Layton on Instagram any idea of what happened there and where he is now? 

 

One of my good mates was in the same team as joey keaveny and Kian Williams. not sure any of that age group have gone on to achieve much, my mate is at one of the best university teams in America, Kian's doing pretty well over in Iceland I believe. 

 

Just interesting how you can have so much potential and opportunity at an academy like ours and end up not making it and becoming an average joe, I feel the majority of academy player's are essentially squad fillers?   

..you would believe, they would be experiencing elite training on a day to day basis!!!

It is an eye opener when they go to League two, and struggle to get off the bench. It just goes to show that they are not playing in an environment where it is competitive and once you come up against players who are playing for their livelihood, you soon get a realty check.

  Ndukwu had a great opportunity to blossom here but you could see issues with his demeanour and performances on the pitch. He has scored a couple of goals from the halfway line, you need vision and a good deal of ability to do that, but he never appeared to be excited to be playing, and as time wore on, the games just passed him by.

There was an occasion where he had tried to score from the halfway line and it did not come off, for the next 15 minutes he came to life, taking on and beating defenders and you could understand what fuss was all about. It however was very rare to see him enthused on the pitch ,and I would say psychological problems, was at the root of his failure to make the break through.

Edited 17 March 2022 by sacreblueits442

[Jabfox]

1 minute ago, sacreblueits442 said:

..you would believe, they would be experiencing elite training on a day to day basis!!!

It is an eye opener when they go to League to and struggle to get off the bench. It just goes to show that they are not playing an an environment where it is competitive and once you come up against players who are playing for their livelihood, you soon get a realty check.

  Ndukwu had a great opportunity to blossom here but you could see issues with his demeanour and performances on the pitch. He has scored a couple of goals from the halfway line, you need vision and a good deal of ability to do that, but he never appeared to be excited to be playing, and as time wore on, the games just passed him by.

There was an occasion where he had tried to score from the halfway line and it did not come off, for the next 15 minutes he came to life, taking on and beating defenders and you could understand what fuss was all about. It however was very rare to see him enthused on the pitch ,and I would say psychological problems, was at the root of his failure to make the break through.

Yeah very true, lie you say it most likely is an eye opener going from playing for our academy to the prospect of playing non league football, maybe some just give up and don't believe they should be playing non league or lose love of the game due to being in an academy set up for x amount of years. 

 

I remember seeing some of his goals and hearing the fuss around him, as you say i think there was always concerns over his attitude and application, shame players like him have such an opportunity and don't take it with both hands. I remember watching him play for us in a pre season friendly at home against possibly gladbach at home a few seasons ago, it was like he would never sprint he never seemed to have any urgency about him, really bizarre. 

[Kilworthfox]

All of the ability without application or an acceptable attitude, will bring little success. 

 

It's the same with all jobs not just football.