The “I came through the Leicester City academy” XI

[AyewJoking]

On 30/12/2025 at 09:48, Spudulike said:

The future..

 

 

When we're in non league and can only afford a squad of 7

[Plastik Man]

On 30/12/2025 at 09:41, Ric Flair said:

Maswanhise is doing very well since he left us on a free and we are the absolute pits.

He looked really good in pre season games under Rodgers but then never got a chance, or loan. 

 

[LCFCJohn]

36 minutes ago, BrilliantFox said:

Monga and Nelson must be in the squad.

 

Talent wise, only Lineker you could say is close.

Depends what you mean by talent (like technical ability or just class). Shilton is the best, along with Banks, keeper England has seen. Heskey was class and played at the highest level but was quite a brute so would never get classed as a technically great player. 
 

Obviously a different game back then and you’d hope for the sake of Nelson and Monga, that they can match and go even further than the current crop who are playing top flight football (KDH, Barnes, Chilwell).

 

For me, Shilton and Lineker for their careers as a whole and for England. Heskey a bit back but a great career also. 

[BrilliantFox]

29 minutes ago, LCFCJohn said:

For me, Shilton and Lineker for their careers as a whole and for England.

Yeah Shilton would be hard to compare because Nelson and Monga are outfield players. So I didn't mention him, however by "talent" it would intend technical ability.

 

I'd base it off of their technical ability rather than a guesstimate of their honours by the time they retire.

 

Chilwell for example has won a Champions League, however you wouldn't say he is as talented as Nelson. 

Edited 31 December 2025 by BrilliantFox

[LCFCJohn]

20 minutes ago, BrilliantFox said:

Yeah Shilton would be hard to compare because Nelson and Monga are outfield players. So I didn't mention him, however by "talent" it would intend technical ability.

 

I'd base it off of their technical ability rather than a guesstimate of their honours by the time they retire.

 

Chilwell for example has won a Champions League, however you wouldn't say he is as talented as Nelson. 

Yes it’s hard to compare positions and eras. I am far too young for Shilton and too young for Lineker but I imagine overall, the game was less technical even though there would have been incredibly talented players. 
 

If your measure is technical ability, I wouldn’t say even those who have come through and left in recent years are technically talented as you say. Barnes and KDH both more powerful players and with a good end product but not what you’d call technical players. 
 

Chilwell is an odd one. Burned short and bright almost but injures and moving to Chelsea haven’t been kind to him.

[Rubbersoul]

This isn’t a XI post but when you actually look who we’ve produced in the last 10 years or so I think you’d struggle to find a club of similar size who’ve had more success in producing talent from the academy. 

Not all of them are “elite” level talents but even the likes of Choudhury & Thomas who let’s face it, not many rate these days have made over 250 Prem & Championships appearances between them. That’s a huge achievement for the academy.

 

Barnes, KDH, Chilwell & Bassey have all been Premier league regulars. 
 

I’m thinking of clubs like Wolves, West Ham, Everton. I can’t think of any academy graduates they’ve produced recently? 

[BrilliantFox]

36 minutes ago, LCFCJohn said:

Barnes and KDH both more powerful players and with a good end product but not what you’d call technical players. 

Yep, exactly. Although I will give KDH some credit, he has a bit of flair about him and he is comfortable on the ball.

 

Barnes on the other hand just thrives off his athleticism and end product.

[Stadt]

39 minutes ago, BrilliantFox said:

Yep, exactly. Although I will give KDH some credit, he has a bit of flair about him and he is comfortable on the ball.

 

Barnes on the other hand just thrives off his athleticism and end product.

You can’t say a player thrives off end product. It’s like saying if it wasn’t for Vardy’s finishing he wouldn’t be a good striker.

 

Barnes isn’t the most elegant winger ever but for about 6 years has pound-for-pound been one of the better wingers in the division. He’s scored technically excellent goals.

[BrilliantFox]

8 minutes ago, Stadt said:

Barnes isn’t the most elegant winger ever but for about 6 years has pound-for-pound been one of the better wingers in the division. He’s scored technically excellent goals.

Don't get me wrong, I love Barnes and think he's a good player. Barnes, Ricardo and Vardy are the only 3 that I actually wasn't angry at for the relegation.

 

Barnes is a proper Seagrave lad and gave his all.

 

But I'm just calling a spade a spade, he has solid physical attributes that benefit him massively in the most intense league in the world.

 

When you're judging a winger's pure talent, you want more than just speed and finishing.

Edited 31 December 2025 by BrilliantFox