Kee rejects contract

[JoeyB]

We lost to Rotherham this year so your smuggishness doesn't wash and 81 starts and 20 goals in two seasons not only represents bloody good value for money but also a much better goals return than Dickov's two goals in 19 appearances for City and Hayles' two goals in 28 appearances. However you choose to dress it up.

And if you think Dodds wouldn't have more than managed those returns in Division One with the benefit of City's wingers then you're a dreamer.

Our midfield this season consisted of:

Dyer - PL - 47 (1) - Goals - 11 - 1 goal every 4.36 games

King - PL - 50 (1) - Goals - 11 - 1 goal every 4.63 games

Oakley - PL 47 - Goals - 8 - 1 goal every 5.875 games

Gradel - PL 19 (12) - Goals - 2 - 1 goal every 15.5 games

Cleverly - PL 10 (5) - Goals - 2 - 1 goal every 7.5 games

Davies - PL 6 (3) - Goals -2 - 1 goal every 4.5 games

Berner - PL 25 (11) - Goals - 3 - 1 goal every 12 games + Played in Defence to

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League 2:

Dodds - Pl 40 (7) - Goals - 10 - 1 goal every 4.7 games + Played in attack too.

So from a completely different league, fair enough Dodds has a good goal average but most of out players who have played in a much higher standard league and have played the equivalent amount of games have either a better or just worse average.

P.s. ignore the poor explanation i know what i mean, and i hope you do.

Anyway this is a Kee thread not a Dodds thread.

[Babylon]

Our midfield this season consisted of:

Dyer - PL - 47 (1) - Goals - 11 - 1 goal every 4.36 games

King - PL - 50 (1) - Goals - 11 - 1 goal every 4.63 games

Oakley - PL 47 - Goals - 8 - 1 goal every 5.875 games

Gradel - PL 19 (12) - Goals - 2 - 1 goal every 15.5 games

Cleverly - PL 10 (5) - Goals - 2 - 1 goal every 7.5 games

Davies - PL 6 (3) - Goals -2 - 1 goal every 4.5 games

Berner - PL 25 (11) - Goals - 3 - 1 goal every 12 games + Played in Defence to

----------------------------------------------------------------

League 2:

Dodds - Pl 40 (7) - Goals - 10 - 1 goal every 4.7 games + Played in attack too.

So from a completely different league, fair enough Dodds has a good goal average but most of out players who have played in a much higher standard league and have played the equivalent amount of games have either a better or just worse average.

P.s. ignore the poor explanation i know what i mean, and i hope you do.

Anyway this is a Kee thread not a Dodds thread.

Don't waste your breath... just because you don't arse lick youth players you'll be labeled a "youth hater" like me.

I reiterate my point that has so far not been proven incorrect, the cream will always rise to the top.

[flanimal]

Don't waste your breath... just because you don't arse lick youth players you'll be labeled a "youth hater" like me.

I reiterate my point that has so far not been proven incorrect, the cream will always rise to the top.

True. In 5 years Kee might be wicked, but what's the point in keeping him that long? If he was that good, Pearson would know, he has worked with England U-21, he knows.

If he deems Hayles better than Kee, then that tells you the way things are.

[CosbehFox]

Money don't half pickled the mind of teenagers.

To add I watched Vale on one occasion this year, Dodds looked alright and played up front. Just alright. Nothing to suggest a 20 goal striker. Glover, his strike partner looked a bit more cop.

[Koke]

The day Louis Dodds, Chris O'Grady, Tommy Wright et al play at a higher level than Leicester City is the day I will regret getting rid of them. I've met Dodds before, I like him, he's a pretty sound lad and I am happy he's doing well for himself at Port Vale, but the fact is we haven't looked back regretting get rid of him, and we never will.

Kee is making a massive mistake here in my opinion. Hayles, Dickov, Dudley etc will be gone sooner than later and plus we may get reserve team football back next season and on top of that Kee will be knocking on the door of first team football. But if he feels it is in his best interest to leave and continue his career at a League 1 or League 2 club, then fair play to him. I wish him the best of luck.

[JoeyB]

True. In 5 years Kee might be wicked, but what's the point in keeping him that long? If he was that good, Pearson would know, he has worked with England U-21, he knows.

If he deems Hayles better than Kee, then that tells you the way things are.

Or Maybe the fact tha Hayles is a little bit more proven, yes i know that Kee hasn't been given the chance, the but Hayles can hold the ball up and will chase balls all day long, (not saying Kee won't as i haven't seen him play) put in an important game experience is most often needed over youth!

[CosbehFox]

Personally, I reckon it's agent talk to get a new contract.

It would be a gamble for any those teams stated to pay a compo fee which will have adds-on no doubt with only seeing him play youth games. They'd want him on trial for a couple of weeks before making any decision. I think it's a poor show from Kee if true, esp. if you consider Beaglehole has been something of a cushion for him and gave him the captaincy of the NI U19's.

[flanimal]

Kee scores because he is so stocky and strong, most Academy defences arn't strong enough to cope. But Kee has a lousy first touch, LOUSY. He's all bustle and shooting. Against professionals, he'll be shown for what he is.

[Thracian]

Completely agree with you. Chambers should have been the one making the bench this year.

It is hard to remember the last time Chambers had any great effect even at Academy or reserves level.

[Thracian]

Or Maybe the fact tha Hayles is a little bit more proven, yes i know that Kee hasn't been given the chance, the but Hayles can hold the ball up and will chase balls all day long, (not saying Kee won't as i haven't seen him play) put in an important game experience is most often needed over youth!

Maybe he was good once but every time I've watched Hayles as a Leicester player I've failed to be impressed.

His greatest single contribution was holding the ball up and helping to play out time against Millwall - 15 minutes of football which completed a valuable job but which represented the sort of approach I hate to see on a football field.

He contributed little as a striker that day nor has he for most of the rest of the season when he's not been out on loan.

I won't fence sit about Kee. I've said many times that I have my doubts about whether he will make it as a first teamer because of his lack of height, pace and, yes, the iffy first touch mentioned by flanimal.

And that's one reason I wouldn't be surprised to see him move.

But from Leicester's point of view, if you're going to employ over 18 Academy graduates you've got to offer them a sensible development path. There was nothing for Kee (or others) this season and it is hard to see why he'd want to risk another such season.

In fact, despite their considerable success once again this season, it is, as I've said two or three times before, difficult now to see the point of the youth set up apart from as a social service.

Kingy and Gradel came through in the last days of reserves League football but I mentioned months ago how hard it is to see who might be next to come through, and I stand by that, because there just aren't the opportunities or the structure.

[flanimal]

I won't fence sit about Kee. I've said many times that I have my doubts about whether he will make it as a first teamer because of his lack of height, pace and, yes, the iffy first touch mentioned by flanimal.

He's not really short though, is he? 5'9" I'd say, he's not Levi Psssh proportions... his lack of pace is probably due to him being overweight, he looks like he could lose about a stone! First touch is a problem though. When you compare him to Rooney, or even Heskey at the age of 18 - Kee seems pretty average. Not fussed if he goes, and if he doesn't improve the skills, he won't play higher than League 1.

[TrickyTrev]

Having thought about this, if he doesn't back himself to force his way into the first team in the next couple of years then that is his problem. We have had three teenagers in our starting 11 this season, and a few more 21 and under. Its not like the club is giving no opportunities to young talent.

42 goals in 44 youth games means nothing. We win those matches 5-3 and stuff like that, I am sure the club have a view on how much potential he has and offered him a contract accordingly. They of course might be wrong, but more likely he is Lawrie Dudfield, Tommy Wright or Louis Dodds i.e. a good professional player but not Leicester standard.

I think this story does however highlight the problem of not having a reserve side. There needs to be a testing standard for players of 18/19 years of age and a place for those on the fringes to get fit. Newcastle did away with their away side under Keegan for cost reasons and haven't produced a premiership player in a decade. We should take that as a strong warning.

[Uncle Albert]

In the last 15 years how many players have we brought through our own Academy and they have gone on to become an established player at the club? I dont think its that many, so I can see what Billy is saying where he says 'I think it is hard if you are a local lad at the club' because not enough of the young local lads are given the chance anymore. That's just my opinion on the matter.

Joachim, Heskey, Stearman, Mattock, Gradel and King are the ones who I would class as established first team players to have come through the ranks at Leicester. Not enough really.

[ASH17LCFC]

Makes me laugh that a 18 year old nobody is demanding first football for a club the size of Leicester Let see were we are in 5 years and were Billy Kee is Probally end up at a Leicester Saturday league club, telling anyone who would listen that he once turned a contract down at City.

Stephen Dawson Turned US down !!! Where the fook is he now ? Probally at Carphone Warehouse or labouring on a buliding site.

[Brainy]

Stephen Dawson Turned US down !!! Where the fook is he now ? Probally at Carphone Warehouse or labouring on a buliding site.

lol

[Cropwellfox]

Having thought about this, if he doesn't back himself to force his way into the first team in the next couple of years then that is his problem. We have had three teenagers in our starting 11 this season, and a few more 21 and under. Its not like the club is giving no opportunities to young talent.

42 goals in 44 youth games means nothing. We win those matches 5-3 and stuff like that, I am sure the club have a view on how much potential he has and offered him a contract accordingly. They of course might be wrong, but more likely he is Lawrie Dudfield, Tommy Wright or Louis Dodds i.e. a good professional player but not Leicester standard.

I think this story does however highlight the problem of not having a reserve side. There needs to be a testing standard for players of 18/19 years of age and a place for those on the fringes to get fit. Newcastle did away with their away side under Keegan for cost reasons and haven't produced a premiership player in a decade. We should take that as a strong warning.

Absolutely right about goals in youth games. I seem to remember back in the youth teams that included Hoult Kitson Baraclough Lyttle Linton Smith etc we had a striker Christian Moore who scored a rediculous number of goals - 35 in one season? The highest he ever managed to play was Burton Albion. I'm sure if Pearson was that bothered about keeping him he would have offered a long-term contract whilst having already lined up 1 or 2 seasons out on loan somewhere.

[Basingstoke Fox]

Whatever Nigel does, I'll be happy with him becasue I think his judgement is probably better than ours to be honest. By the way, he is being linked with Bournemouth, if we sent him on loan there like Maxi then that would be best in my opinion although we might not have the chance to.

http://www.bournemouth.vitalfootball.co.uk...le.asp?a=153962

[Leicesterboi]

Makes me laugh that a 18 year old nobody is demanding first football for a club the size of Leicester Let see were we are in 5 years and were Billy Kee is Probally end up at a Leicester Saturday league club, telling anyone who would listen that he once turned a contract down at City.

Stephen Dawson Turned US down !!! Where the fook is he now ? Probally at Carphone Warehouse or labouring on a buliding site.

He isn't 'demanding' first team football. He wants first team football and the opportunities aren't there at Leicester. I think Thracian has been spot on with his summaries!

Age doesn't matter, what does it matter that he's 18 and wants first team football? It's no different to a 25 Year old wanting first tam football. What's the point in being a footballer if you're happy sitting on then bench or playing non competeive football? If he thinks he needs it to develop himself then what is the problem? It's a case of taking one step backwards and hopefully 2 forward.

The lad isn't daft and I think he will become an established League 1/Championship player atleast!

[Thracian]

In the last 15 years how many players have we brought through our own Academy and they have gone on to become an established player at the club? I dont think its that many, so I can see what Billy is saying where he says 'I think it is hard if you are a local lad at the club' because not enough of the young local lads are given the chance anymore. That's just my opinion on the matter.

Joachim, Heskey, Stearman, Mattock, Gradel and King are the ones who I would class as established first team players to have come through the ranks at Leicester. Not enough really.

It's not enough because the loan system doesn't encourage it, to our eternal cost development -wise, especially as far as the national team is concerned.

It is much easier to go borrow some players than take the risk of bringing them through to first team standard ourselves. I cannot remember the situation when Joachim/Heskey were youngsters but the last four named all came through with the benefit of regular, competitive, reserves team football.

Now there is no reserve team what do they do post-18? Leicester has been praised in recent seasons for bringing players through but no-one came through last season who wasn't already established from reserve team football and now they don't even have that.

You've only got to read this forum on a week-by-week basis to see that the fans are much quicker to big up new signings than they ever will players coming through the ranks. Kaebi was a classic example. And Laczko. Columns of crap were written about those two while someone like Beswick was a far better prospect.

Even Gradel could hardly get an ally until he'd had a season at Bournemouth. Yet he was far better than Newton was ever going to be.

There is at least some comfort now in that Pearson clearly brings in capable loanees but, make no mistake, it is already stiffling internal development and Kee's reaction is a clear indication of the consequences.

No-one says for one second that Kee should have been ahead of Fryatt or Howard. But giving him some bench time ahead of Hayles, Dickov or even Ajdarevic might have at least given him some worthwhile encouragement. But when your fans include people like Babylon you'd wonder why any youngster comes here. Their chances of a breakthrough would always be next week or whenever there's a match that doesn't matter! And never a word against rent-a-crowd.

[Webbo]

He's not really short though, is he? 5'9" I'd say, he's not Levi Psssh proportions... his lack of pace is probably due to him being overweight, he looks like he could lose about a stone! First touch is a problem though. When you compare him to Rooney, or even Heskey at the age of 18 - Kee seems pretty average. Not fussed if he goes, and if he doesn't improve the skills, he won't play higher than League 1.

Lack of skill doesn't always lead to a poor career. There's a lot to be said for a thug with an eye for goal.

Steve Bull couldn't trap a bag of cement (though he wasn't bad in the air) but he could run through a brick to get a shot on goal.

Players like that are always cult heroes with fans. I wouldn't write him off yet.

[foxoffderby]

Absolutely right about goals in youth games. I seem to remember back in the youth teams that included Hoult Kitson Baraclough Lyttle Linton Smith etc we had a striker Christian Moore who scored a rediculous number of goals - 35 in one season? The highest he ever managed to play was Burton Albion. I'm sure if Pearson was that bothered about keeping him he would have offered a long-term contract whilst having already lined up 1 or 2 seasons out on loan somewhere.

Its a fair point. I used to play in the same team as a lad called Ian Thompson back in the late 80's. To this day ive never seen a better player at youth level. He could do the 100m in about 12 seconds and was built like a brick outhouse he made Billy Kee look like a little girl. Captain of Leicester boys, played for Engalnd under 17's and scored on his England debut at Wembley live on ITV. Turned pro with city, and was in the same team as Joachim. I also played in the same team as Emile Heskey when I was at school for City of Leicester. Put it this way Ian was twice as good as Emile and look what hes gone to achive.

To this day i dont understand how my friend never made it. Last time I heard he was playing for Leicester Utd or something. Anyone know what happened to him or who he ended playing for ? Getting back to the point maybe you guys are right and if billy kee wants to go let him go he may regret it.

[flanimal]

Lack of skill doesn't always lead to a poor career. There's a lot to be said for a thug with an eye for goal.

Steve Bull couldn't trap a bag of cement (though he wasn't bad in the air) but he could run through a brick to get a shot on goal.

Players like that are always cult heroes with fans. I wouldn't write him off yet.

Don't get me, I'm just saying he doesn't play attractive football. Regardless he is a goalscorer, and that kind of thing is natural ability. If he can bundle several goals in in one match, compared to another player who scores a beautiful goal every three games, then Kee is a better option. I just don't think he has enough ability to be playing football for Leicester this season or last season.

But he's a goal scorer.

[Uncle Albert]

I honestly think Kee will go onto much bigger and better things in his Football career. I also think Kee will sign a new contract with Leicester.

So has his current deal ran out?

[flanimal]

Think so. But he's 18, so the compensation will be pretty hefty.

[Thracian]

He's not really short though, is he? 5'9" I'd say, he's not Levi Psssh proportions... his lack of pace is probably due to him being overweight, he looks like he could lose about a stone! First touch is a problem though. When you compare him to Rooney, or even Heskey at the age of 18 - Kee seems pretty average. Not fussed if he goes, and if he doesn't improve the skills, he won't play higher than League 1.

I'd call that short for a powerhouse style of centre-forward - as opposed to a DJ/Germaine Defoe style quickie.

That's not to say he couldn't be successful. Clive Allen and Kenny Dalglish weren't very tall nor were they especially quick. But they both scored plenty of goals.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_Dalglish

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Allen