Development/Youth Squads 2024/2025 Thread - U18/U21

[lanefox]

40 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

The unique thing about Monga is whichever wing he plays on he leads on the opposite foot. So at right wing he takes the ball as if he's left footed but will go in or out and cause uncertainty for the defence and then at LW he'll predominantly use his right foot (which is his slightly stronger foot i believe).

 

Mesmerising talent.

Do we need to fastrack to have any chance of keeping him

[Ric Flair]

1 hour ago, lanefox said:

Do we need to fastrack to have any chance of keeping him

Yes

[Sly]

Any update on Silko Thomas? 
 

Stretchered off with a knee injury. Another in the ACL club? 

[Lesta2014]

4 hours ago, Sly said:

Any update on Silko Thomas? 
 

Stretchered off with a knee injury. Another in the ACL club? 

There’s a bit in loans thread, don’t sound good though. 

[BKLFox]

@moore_94 @davieG

 

 

Edited to save everyone the pain of the ads from the Merc page.

 

Ruud van Nistelrooy sets out Leicester City first-team plan for two brightest prospects

Teenage attackers Jake Evans and Jeremy Monga are two potential stars and van Nistelrooy says decisions over the next steps of their careers at City have already been made

Leicester City’s talented starlets Jake Evans and Jeremy Monga will be included in the club’s pre-season plans this summer with a view to them stepping up to the first team permanently next term.
 

Two of the brightest prospects to emerge from City’s academy, Evans and Monga, aged 16 and 15, have impressed in their first season at Under-21 level this campaign and have been training alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy’s senior team regularly. City see them as potential stars, but know other clubs do too, with widespread interest in Monga particularly.
Van Nistelrooy has made clear that City have a plan for the duo. He said it’s already been decided that they will be part of the first team when preparations begin for next season, even though they will still be 16 and 15, with their birthdays not until later in the summer.

So far, they have passed every test with flying colours. Monga, who plays on either flank, and Evans, who can play out wide or up front, have looked more than at home at Under-21 level, and both scored in last Friday’s 3-0 victory over Coventry.
 

For Monga, curling into the far corner from 18 yards with his weaker left foot, it was another fine goal to add to his growing highlight reel. Evans, meanwhile, has now been on the scoresheet in three successive games and has eight goals in 16 starts for the Under-21s this season.

Van Nistelrooy said: “Jake Evans and Jeremy Monga are very closely monitored by us in their performances in the Under-21s. Fifteen and 16-year-olds who are performing in PL2 on a regular basis and doing well there.
 

At such a tender age, there are no guarantees yet that either will make it to the top. With Evans playing as a striker, it might be expected that van Nistelrooy, as a former forward himself, would be able to better determine if he will make the grade, but the Dutchman said that’s not what he’s looking for.
 

“The biggest contribution for a player to make it is not position specific, it’s recognising the character and mindset,” van Nistelrooy added. “I can recognise that, which professional is the real deal and has the character and mindset to make it in this world, in top sport. That is the first thing I try to recognise.”
 

Right now, Under-21s coach Leon McSweeney is one of the key men in ensuring their development. He says he's been left "in awe" by the talent that Monga has been showing.

Speaking about Monga after last Friday's win over Coventry, McSweeney told the club: “Having the pleasure to work with him, the football pitch is his playground and it’s a joy to see that. I’m in awe of him, the goal he scored tonight, to see what he does in training.
 

"We’ll keep pushing him, putting him in and letting him do his thing. He gives me pleasure as a coach to watch and it gives him pleasure to go on the pitch and do his thing. We just need to embrace that, provide the environment for him to thrive. Hopefully the first team come knocking.”

 

 

 

Edited 5 February by BKLFox

[South Shire Fox]

42 minutes ago, BKLFox said:

@moore_94 @davieG

 

 

Edited to save everyone the pain of the ads from the Merc page.

 

Ruud van Nistelrooy sets out Leicester City first-team plan for two brightest prospects

Teenage attackers Jake Evans and Jeremy Monga are two potential stars and van Nistelrooy says decisions over the next steps of their careers at City have already been made

Leicester City’s talented starlets Jake Evans and Jeremy Monga will be included in the club’s pre-season plans this summer with a view to them stepping up to the first team permanently next term.
 

Two of the brightest prospects to emerge from City’s academy, Evans and Monga, aged 16 and 15, have impressed in their first season at Under-21 level this campaign and have been training alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy’s senior team regularly. City see them as potential stars, but know other clubs do too, with widespread interest in Monga particularly.
Van Nistelrooy has made clear that City have a plan for the duo. He said it’s already been decided that they will be part of the first team when preparations begin for next season, even though they will still be 16 and 15, with their birthdays not until later in the summer.

So far, they have passed every test with flying colours. Monga, who plays on either flank, and Evans, who can play out wide or up front, have looked more than at home at Under-21 level, and both scored in last Friday’s 3-0 victory over Coventry.
 

For Monga, curling into the far corner from 18 yards with his weaker left foot, it was another fine goal to add to his growing highlight reel. Evans, meanwhile, has now been on the scoresheet in three successive games and has eight goals in 16 starts for the Under-21s this season.

Van Nistelrooy said: “Jake Evans and Jeremy Monga are very closely monitored by us in their performances in the Under-21s. Fifteen and 16-year-olds who are performing in PL2 on a regular basis and doing well there.
 

At such a tender age, there are no guarantees yet that either will make it to the top. With Evans playing as a striker, it might be expected that van Nistelrooy, as a former forward himself, would be able to better determine if he will make the grade, but the Dutchman said that’s not what he’s looking for.
 

“The biggest contribution for a player to make it is not position specific, it’s recognising the character and mindset,” van Nistelrooy added. “I can recognise that, which professional is the real deal and has the character and mindset to make it in this world, in top sport. That is the first thing I try to recognise.”
 

Right now, Under-21s coach Leon McSweeney is one of the key men in ensuring their development. He says he's been left "in awe" by the talent that Monga has been showing.

Speaking about Monga after last Friday's win over Coventry, McSweeney told the club: “Having the pleasure to work with him, the football pitch is his playground and it’s a joy to see that. I’m in awe of him, the goal he scored tonight, to see what he does in training.
 

"We’ll keep pushing him, putting him in and letting him do his thing. He gives me pleasure as a coach to watch and it gives him pleasure to go on the pitch and do his thing. We just need to embrace that, provide the environment for him to thrive. Hopefully the first team come knocking.”

 

 

 

Lets see if hes got the balls to put them on the bench on friday night then. Use them or lose them

[AjcW]

13 minutes ago, South Shire Fox said:

Lets see if hes got the balls to put them on the bench on friday night then. Use them or lose them

The release above is literally the club saying they’re not going to be involved until pre season isn’t it? 
 

It’ll be to try and avoid a similar reaction to the QPR game when we all saw the line up 

[South Shire Fox]

6 minutes ago, AjcW said:

The release above is literally the club saying they’re not going to be involved until pre season isn’t it? 
 

It’ll be to try and avoid a similar reaction to the QPR game when we all saw the line up 

Got absolutley nothing to lose sticking atleast one on the bench on friday night. Need to show talented youth players there is a path to the first team at Leicester if they are good enough, whatever the age

[AjcW]

2 minutes ago, South Shire Fox said:

Got absolutley nothing to lose sticking atleast one on the bench on friday night. Need to show talented youth players there is a path to the first team at Leicester if they are good enough, whatever the age

100% agree

[Noahfence]

I had no idea Evans was still only 16. Assumed he was coming up to 18 for some reason. 
 

Hes got 8 goals in 13 games at U21 level. Some of his goals I’ve seen clips of have insane composure for someone that young. 

[Ric Flair]

37 minutes ago, AjcW said:

The release above is literally the club saying they’re not going to be involved until pre season isn’t it? 
 

It’ll be to try and avoid a similar reaction to the QPR game when we all saw the line up 

Would appear that way but you never know. 

[filbertway]

I don't even believe that press release. Summer will roll around and we'll have the squad chock full of overpaid average players with "experience" that "have" to be on the 9 man bench.

[Happy Fox]

 

35 minutes ago, Noahfence said:

I had no idea Evans was still only 16. Assumed he was coming up to 18 for some reason. 
 

Hes got 8 goals in 13 games at U21 level. Some of his goals I’ve seen clips of have insane composure for someone that young. 

Would rather he be given a chance than the likes of Daka et al.

[coolhandfox]

100% we go strong on Friday in the hope Man U put out a weakened side and we get a moral boosting win.

 

We have been crap at giving opportunities for years.

[Happy Fox]

24 minutes ago, coolhandfox said:

100% we go strong on Friday in the hope Man U put out a weakened side and we get a moral boosting win.

 

We have been crap at giving opportunities for years.

We beat Spurs and then got turned over by Everton whether we beat Manchester United or not it will not have a bearing on the next game.

[notnow john]

Do we not have any forwards in academy between the ages of 17 and 20 ?

I know of Alves ,Popov and Thomas  and of those only Will had a look in.

Thats 4years of intake to Seagrave ,Is there no one else we could try or even put on the bench?

[jayfox26]

Anyone know what's happened to Golding? Haven't seen him in the youth squads recently. 

[South Shire Fox]

20 hours ago, jayfox26 said:

Anyone know what's happened to Golding? Haven't seen him in the youth squads recently. 

Richards as well. Just assumed they were trying to sort another loan for him but that hasnt happened. Not been involved in the 21s either

[RowlattsFox]

Chance of Ruud being there next season, whatever happens, is relatively low so seems pretty meaningless to mention it. 

[Angus Scott]

I think Richards went on loan to Exeter at the beginning of the season. It hasn't worked out so I think we have recalled him so he'll probably appear in the 21's now.

 As for Golding, no idea what's happened, never see his name mentioned. 5 million & supposedly highly rated by Chelsea, who it appears have took us to the cleaners yet again

 

 

 

[ClaphamFox]

2 minutes ago, Angus Scott said:

I think Richards went on loan to Exeter at the beginning of the season. It hasn't worked out so I think we have recalled him so he'll probably appear in the 21's now.

 As for Golding, no idea what's happened, never see his name mentioned. 5 million & supposedly highly rated by Chelsea, who it appears have took us to the cleaners yet again

 

 

 

They only bought KDH as a favour to help us avoid a PSR breach. Golding was almost certainly part of that deal.

[davieG]

9 minutes ago, RowlattsFox said:

Chance of Ruud being there next season, whatever happens, is relatively low so seems pretty meaningless to mention it. 

https://www.leicestercity.news/opinion/ruud-van-nistelrooys-stance-on-leicester-city-future-may-have-just-become-clear-amid-his-vital-claim/

 

The view that Ruud’s stint at the King Power could be a short one is shared by many, with Leicester fans tipping Van Nistelrooy to walk out after their harrowing 4-0 defeat at the hands of Everton this past weekend.
While the manager has flaws, it’s obvious to most that the way the club has been run over the last several years is the main reason behind their woes.

 

However, recent comments made by the 48-year-old may have shed some light on how he is feeling about remaining in the Midlands.

As per Leicestershire Live, he recently discussed plans for Jake Evans and Jeremy Monga and when doing so, his language was very interesting.

 

When explaining plans for the academy duo, Van Nistelrooy spoke of the 2025/26 pre-season and how ‘we’ will plan it.

He said: “They are on a weekly basis part of first-team training and will continue to do so over the coming months. They will be part of next year’s set-up in terms of how we plan a pre-season.”

 

The use of the word ‘we’ does hint that, right now, he has no plans to leave and is already focused on preparing for the next campaign.

He could have said ‘Leicester’ or ‘the club’ when making the comment but chose to include himself. Perhaps it’s something that shouldn’t be read into too much, but it may give fans hope that he’s not planning to walk out despite the dire January window.

 

Sounds like in his mind he'll be here and planning for the Championship.

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/leicester-city-press-conference-live-9923231

 

Did something change about what was possible in window?
“The conversations in November were clear. You enter a process together and everything is presented to you. The idea was that there were certain possibilities, but when the numbers came on the table, it turned out to be different and we had to reassess and see what we could do in that framework.”

 

Disappointed about transfers?

“It’s not a question of being disappointed. It’s a question of reality and where the club stands. We had to deal with the restrictions. We needed to impact the team with impact players and we weren’t able to get them because of the balance of opportunity and restriction. We tried. The focus was on impact players. With Coulibaly, we did it, but other opportunities weren’t possible.”

 

Seems very defensive of the club re the transfer state.

[ClaphamFox]

10 minutes ago, davieG said:

https://www.leicestercity.news/opinion/ruud-van-nistelrooys-stance-on-leicester-city-future-may-have-just-become-clear-amid-his-vital-claim/

 

The view that Ruud’s stint at the King Power could be a short one is shared by many, with Leicester fans tipping Van Nistelrooy to walk out after their harrowing 4-0 defeat at the hands of Everton this past weekend.
While the manager has flaws, it’s obvious to most that the way the club has been run over the last several years is the main reason behind their woes.

 

However, recent comments made by the 48-year-old may have shed some light on how he is feeling about remaining in the Midlands.

As per Leicestershire Live, he recently discussed plans for Jake Evans and Jeremy Monga and when doing so, his language was very interesting.

 

When explaining plans for the academy duo, Van Nistelrooy spoke of the 2025/26 pre-season and how ‘we’ will plan it.

He said: “They are on a weekly basis part of first-team training and will continue to do so over the coming months. They will be part of next year’s set-up in terms of how we plan a pre-season.”

 

The use of the word ‘we’ does hint that, right now, he has no plans to leave and is already focused on preparing for the next campaign.

He could have said ‘Leicester’ or ‘the club’ when making the comment but chose to include himself. Perhaps it’s something that shouldn’t be read into too much, but it may give fans hope that he’s not planning to walk out despite the dire January window.

 

Sounds like in his mind he'll be here and planning for the Championship.

 

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/leicester-city-press-conference-live-9923231

 

Did something change about what was possible in window?
“The conversations in November were clear. You enter a process together and everything is presented to you. The idea was that there were certain possibilities, but when the numbers came on the table, it turned out to be different and we had to reassess and see what we could do in that framework.”

 

Disappointed about transfers?

“It’s not a question of being disappointed. It’s a question of reality and where the club stands. We had to deal with the restrictions. We needed to impact the team with impact players and we weren’t able to get them because of the balance of opportunity and restriction. We tried. The focus was on impact players. With Coulibaly, we did it, but other opportunities weren’t possible.”

 

Seems very defensive of the club re the transfer state.

All of his public comments suggest that he believes he will be in charge next season. And I suspect the club sees it the same way. I think it's very likely he'll still be the manager in August.

[Will1981]

On 01/02/2025 at 09:55, davieG said:

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Crystal Palace have become the first club to offer an aftercare programme for released players that don't have a future in football.

The three-year aftercare package will support released academy players in making a way of life, outside of football.

This is an incredible step made by the club, we need more of this!

not entirely true we have been running a similar program for players released by Aston Villa.

[Long Eaton Fox]

It makes sense to give these two players minutes. Strengthens our hand if they leave and a tribunal has to decide their value. Every extra minute played against the likes of manure could add £1m to their value. (You know what I mean.)