Development/Youth Squads 2025/2026 Thread - U18/U21

[GrobyLCFC31]

Aluko is the one exclusion that really baffles me! 

 

He played and trained with seniors all of pre- season ✅

U21’s captain ✅

England U20’s ✅

The players in his positions aren’t good enough and we all know they never will be ✅

 

Absolute no brainer to involve him moving forwards!
The ceiling of what’s playing instead of him is incredibly low and always will be, Aluko could be our next Barnes, KDH every present academy lad if he gets an opportunity 

 

Edited 21 October 2025 by GrobyLCFC31

[honeybradger]

34 minutes ago, beepee1984 said:

They couldn't beat Forest Green?

Leicester cant beat Hull, Portsmouth, Wrexham, does that mean that Fatawu is not one of the best players in the championship?

 

Evans, Aluko, Page have been earmarked to make the step up for a reason and that is because they have a standout quality in the U21s. Other players in that team might not even make it at national league level which is why as a team they struggle against men's opposition. Three good players doesnt mean a youth team can come out and dominate a men's side.

 

Nelson is outright proven at championship level, so he doesnt belong in this conversation with the others. He's no longer an academy player but a good championship centreback which is why there is so much fuss about him in particular.

[Aleksz]

11 hours ago, beepee1984 said:

They couldn't beat Forest Green?

Majority of the development sides don't beat the senior teams in these competitions. Man City's U21s got done for 3 at Bolton and Chelsea's U21s got done for 3 at Northampton the other week, suppose their kids aren't much use to us on loan either?

[Fox on the Rox]

18 hours ago, moore_94 said:

I would love to know what the likes of Evans and Page were promised to get them to sign contracts

 

Especially when they had big clubs sniffing around them

Unfortunately you've got this backwards. At their level it's not carrot, it's stick. It will be that they won't get out on loan or be around the first team unless they sign.

 

Lads their age and stage most likely won't think they can risk that. They don't have the power in the club v player relationship. 

Outside of the LCFC bubble their profile won't be high. They can't raise their profile if they're not playing. They won't make international squads etc etc. 

 

Once they've signed of course there's no guarantee either, but if they don't, they can be confident they'll be consigned to the u21s. Effectively young players are held to ransom to sign. Monga probably being a rare exception. 

[simon_japan]

There is another Leicester City U21 player going to the U17 World Cup, 17 year old left back Will Daniels has been selected for Canada ahead of the tournament in Qatar. 
 

Has played consistent international football since u15 too according to Transfermarkt. 
 

https://canadasoccer.com/news/canada-soccer-names-squad-for-fifa-u-17-world-cup-qatar-2025/?brid=DhfzdFmjMVxFpCAywT3v-g

[studentofthegame]

17 hours ago, beepee1984 said:

Can't argue with any of that except I would suggest Daka wouldn't should in 24 games against them

 

However you name 4 players - adding Monga it would be 50% of our outfield team which is just too unrealistic for a team that should be chasing promotion. But I actually do agree that they should be seeing more minutes

 

But yes I want to see more off Page and Evans, one should be on the bench at least every game, but Marti prefers to like Silko Thomas yet won't give him minutes either

I want to see rotation at CB and that includes Nelson

Not certain about Aluko, but I have not seen him

 

But we can't bring in 4 youngsters at once

Whilst I agree that it would be unrealistic to have all 5 starting every game, but there should be rotation in the Championship with the amount of games anyway, and we have a bench to utilise

 

Nelson doesn't really count in the same bracket as well as he is 21, already had 3 loan spells and looked good for Oxford last season

 

There is absolutely no reason for Nelson to be behind Faes and Vestergaard

 

Evans not even making the bench when our strikers have ONE goal in about 1300 minutes this season is insane, what is the worst that is going to happen? he will miss some chances? They already ****ing do that anyway

 

Page should be one hovering around the fringes and making the bench, Aluko I believe plays both right and left back, I couldn't tell you where he is most comfortable but he is hardly going to be much worse than Thomas at left back

[davieG]

https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/what-night-youngsters-forest-green-10592877

 

“What a night for the youngsters” - Forest Green boss Robbie Savage after Leicester City draw
Forest Green Rovers 2 Leicester City U21s 2 (3-5 on pens)

Rhys Anderson
08:37, 23 Oct 2025

 

Robbie Savage, manager of Forest Green Rovers, says that the National League Cup has been “brilliant” for his side.

Goals from Nick Haughton and Jose Marquez cancelled out two first-half goals from the Foxes, scored by Jake Evans and Toby Onanaye

“What an entertaining game, it was end-to-end, Leicester popped it around really well first half. Yahya Bamba was outstanding on the wing," Savage said.

“What a night for the youngsters, Stevie Walsh in the first half, Akai Bonnick, Jose Marquez, Thomas Conteh and Will Merret, so it was a good experience for them, a good experience also for those who needed minutes.

 

“The second half was end-to-end for the last 25 minutes because our first team players, who needed the minutes, were tired. It was a good exercise, and this competition has been brilliant for us.

“Seven points from nine in the competition, youngsters making an impact, senior players getting minutes, so it’s a great night for us.”

 

Evans opened the scoring for the visitors after just nine minutes as he swept the ball into the bottom corner from his effort towards the back post.

Less than two minutes later, Nick Haughton found the back of the net for the third time this season, his first in the National League cup as he tucked away Yahya Bamba’s low driven cross aimed towards the penalty spot.

The Foxes retook the lead inside the opening 20 minutes as James Balagizi’s mistake allowed Leicester to counter, and Ryan Donnelly’s threaded pass to Onanaye was slotted into the bottom right corner by the midfielder.

Rovers equalised for the second time in the match with just over 15 minutes of the game remaining as Marquez scored a fantastic header, very similar to the header he scored against West Brom in the same competition earlier this season.

“It was a great leap, great header, great driven ball from Nick.

“These competitions gives players an opportunity to put themselves in my thoughts for the weekend.

The visitors won the penalty shootout 5-3 for the extra point, after Haughton missed his penalty as he attempted a Panenka that floated over the bar.

“Nick scored, hit the post with an incredible free-kick, got an assist, but then he’s decided to do a Panenka, if you do that, you have to score.

“I’m not one for Panenkas, he’s decided to do it and put it over the bar, if you do that in this or any competition, you have to score those.”

Academy player Stephen Walsh made his debut for Rovers, playing in midfield.

On his performance, Savage said: “He got around the pitch well; it was always the plan to give him 45 minutes.

“It was a great experience for him to play in the middle of the park alongside Nick Haughton and James Balagizi.

“If the manager watches you, you can always earn an opportunity.”

Forest Green Rovers: Pagel; Pemberton, Inniss (Merrett 1), Moore-Taylor, Long; Balagizi, S Walsh (Bonnick 46), Haughton; Buyabu (Bamba 1), Marquez, Dausch (Conteh 46). Subs not used: Godfrey, C Walsh, Glover.

Leicester City U21s: Bausor; Aluko, Gray, Khela (Diallo 78), Daniels; Cover, Onanaye, Donnelly (Golding 80); Evans, Popov (Richards 78), Briggs (Motsi 78). Subs not used: Donohue, Ali, Otchere.

[LCFCJohn]

3 hours ago, davieG said:

“What a night for the youngsters, Stevie Walsh in the first half, Akai Bonnick, Jose Marquez, Thomas Conteh and Will Merret, so it was a good experience for them, a good experience also for those who needed minutes.

Thought he was getting confused and getting his playing down with us mixed up then 

[FoxesTez]

Motsi in England u16s squad. 

[Smiggs22]

Going to see the under 21s tomorrow afternoon. See if any of them look ready for the step up. 

[Ric Flair]

3 minutes ago, Smiggs22 said:

Going to see the under 21s tomorrow afternoon. See if any of them look ready for the step up. 

I was going to take my two kids as well but just gone to book and tickets no longer available. Seem to remember before that tickets have to be booked more than 24 hours in advance. 

[AjcW]

2 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

I was going to take my two kids as well but just gone to book and tickets no longer available. Seem to remember before that tickets have to be booked more than 24 hours in advance. 

Yes, for no reason whatsoever.

 

[ceebeefox]

On 22/10/2025 at 15:56, studentofthegame said:

Whilst I agree that it would be unrealistic to have all 5 starting every game, but there should be rotation in the Championship with the amount of games anyway, and we have a bench to utilise

 

Nelson doesn't really count in the same bracket as well as he is 21, already had 3 loan spells and looked good for Oxford last season

 

There is absolutely no reason for Nelson to be behind Faes and Vestergaard

 

Evans not even making the bench when our strikers have ONE goal in about 1300 minutes this season is insane, what is the worst that is going to happen? he will miss some chances? They already ****ing do that anyway

 

Page should be one hovering around the fringes and making the bench, Aluko I believe plays both right and left back, I couldn't tell you where he is most comfortable but he is hardly going to be much worse than Thomas at left back

I agree with all you said, except chances , can anyone remember chances? The goat lived off scraps for 3 years at least and I can’t remember us making what I call chances all this season and last.

[scinnell]

1 hour ago, ceebeefox said:

I agree with all you said, except chances , can anyone remember chances? The goat lived off scraps for 3 years at least and I can’t remember us making what I call chances all this season and last.

The goat was one of a kind and we will never experience another prolific striker like that at our football club.

[Ric Flair]

Looking forward to seeing Hutchinson still in the U18s today and Evans in the U21s. Meanwhile Ayew will have 5 pot shots from the frozen aisle of Morrison's with an xG of 0.003 and Daka will hit the Thames Clipper.

[lcfc sheff]

3 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Looking forward to seeing Hutchinson still in the U18s today and Evans in the U21s. Meanwhile Ayew will have 5 pot shots from the frozen aisle of Morrison's with an xG of 0.003 and Daka will hit the Thames Clipper.

will the club back Marti if he brings in Evans and hutchinson into the fold? 

 

if the priority this season is to gut out the squad and rebuild looking at next season to really push then sure; but i'm sure the club will want a promotion this season instead and sadly will see two untested strikers at mens level too much a risk!

 

I'm starting to think he can't really win!

[Ric Flair]

18 minutes ago, lcfc sheff said:

will the club back Marti if he brings in Evans and hutchinson into the fold? 

 

if the priority this season is to gut out the squad and rebuild looking at next season to really push then sure; but i'm sure the club will want a promotion this season instead and sadly will see two untested strikers at mens level too much a risk!

 

I'm starting to think he can't really win!

Absolutely no excuses not to promote Hutchinson to the U21s and for Evans to be one of the subs occasionally. Risk is out the window when the experienced players are the absolute pits anyway.

[Aus Fox]

31 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Looking forward to seeing Hutchinson still in the U18s today and Evans in the U21s. Meanwhile Ayew will have 5 pot shots from the frozen aisle of Morrison's with an xG of 0.003 and Daka will hit the Thames Clipper.

You should start a podcast and tell us more…

[davieG]

These players are all out of contract next June.

 

21 Ricardo Pereira		4 (3)	2	2	-	2026
20 Patson Daka		4 (8)	-	-	-	2026
39 Silko Thomas		- (2)	-	-	-	2026
9 Jordan Ayew		8 (3)	1	1	-	2026
28 Jeremy Monga		5 (6)	1	2	-	2026
31 Asmir Begović		-	-	-	-	2026
18 Julián Carranza · LOAN IN		1 (5)	-	1	-	2026
30 Aaron Ramsey · LOAN IN		2 (2)	2	-	1	2026
24 Boubakary Soumaré		9 (2)	-	1	-	2026
27 Wanya Marçal		-	-	-	-	2026
8 Harry Winks		7 (4)	1	-	-	2026
56 Olabade Aluko		-	-	-	-	2026
25 Louis Page		2 (1)	-	-	-	2026
6 Jordan James · LOAN IN		6 (1)	2	-	-	2026
Players out on loan
37 Will Alves · LOAN OUT		1	-	-	-	2028
11 Bilal El Khannouss · LOAN OUT		2 (1)	-	-	-	2028

 

There's no reason to play them unless they are 

The future

Better than longer contract players or future players

Maintaining their value/fitness to make them easier to shift in January.

 

So how are Daka, Ayew, Soumare getting regular minutes?

[davieG]

35 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Looking forward to seeing Hutchinson still in the U18s today and Evans in the U21s. Meanwhile Ayew will have 5 pot shots from the frozen aisle of Morrison's with an xG of 0.003 and Daka will hit the Thames Clipper.

I shouldn't laugh but it's an antidote to despair.

[honeybradger]

23 minutes ago, lcfc sheff said:

will the club back Marti if he brings in Evans and hutchinson into the fold? 

 

if the priority this season is to gut out the squad and rebuild looking at next season to really push then sure; but i'm sure the club will want a promotion this season instead and sadly will see two untested strikers at mens level too much a risk!

 

I'm starting to think he can't really win!

We're not on track for promotion anyway and if anything we've gotten lucky to start the season.

 

It's becoming clearer every week that these experienced players are not going to deliver promotion. Might as well actually trying to build something rather than trying to restart a fire that has run out of fuel.

[lcfc sheff]

2 minutes ago, honeybradger said:

We're not on track for promotion anyway and if anything we've gotten lucky to start the season.

 

It's becoming clearer every week that these experienced players are not going to deliver promotion. Might as well actually trying to build something rather than trying to restart a fire that has run out of fuel.

I agree but the club will see a financial risk with not playing the likes of Faes and Vesty, I think Top should come out publicly with how he sees the club progressing

[lcfc sheff]

15 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

Absolutely no excuses not to promote Hutchinson to the U21s and for Evans to be one of the subs occasionally. Risk is out the window when the experienced players are the absolute pits anyway.

I agree completely, and don't understand it truly but just trying make reasonable sense of what appears to be madness 

[honeybradger]

31 minutes ago, lcfc sheff said:

I agree but the club will see a financial risk with not playing the likes of Faes and Vesty, I think Top should come out publicly with how he sees the club progressing

This is likely the reason but sadly it's another mistake from an ownership that has been taking too many reactive, short term decisions which is how we ended up in the situation rather than making proactive, long term decisions.

[Ric Flair]

1 hour ago, lcfc sheff said:

I agree but the club will see a financial risk with not playing the likes of Faes and Vesty, I think Top should come out publicly with how he sees the club progressing

There's no financial risk. Vestergaard isn't worth anything, playing him or not playing him the fee we'd get would be zero. Faes is more likely to be obtainable if he isn't playing IMO, the club might not like the fee but with a World Cup year he'd likely forgo having his wages supplemented to get a move to Turkey for example.