Development/Youth Squads 2023/2024 Thread - U18/U21

[Burbagefox89]

Don’t shoot the messenger but there’s high hopes for Alves under Enzo. New long term contract talks ongoing, recovery going well, no expectations or pressure as to when he will be match fit but club and Enzo looking to include him in the first team match squad for the second half of the season. All parties are happy and will sees his future at the club and hopefully of a full breakthrough this season 

[indierich06]

Any idea when Braybrooke and Alves are likely to be back?

[moore_94]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leicester-city-strategy-set-snowball-8684029
 

It bodes well for Sammy Braybrooke and Will Alves getting a first-team chance in the second half of the season too, when they are fully recovered from ACL injuries. Arguably two of the club’s three best prospects alongside Ben Nelson, the pair are due to return to light training by the end of the month.

[davieG]

25 minutes ago, moore_94 said:

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leicester-city-strategy-set-snowball-8684029
 

It bodes well for Sammy Braybrooke and Will Alves getting a first-team chance in the second half of the season too, when they are fully recovered from ACL injuries. Arguably two of the club’s three best prospects alongside Ben Nelson, the pair are due to return to light training by the end of the month.

Leicester City strategy set to snowball in Enzo Maresca plan as five-year milestone nears
Leicester City had six academy-trained players in their 20-man squad for their last two games, and Maresca's work alongside the development squad should see that number rise

ByJordan Blackwell
11:04, 17 AUG 2023

The door to the first team was already ajar for Leicester City’s best academy talents, but a combination of relegation and the fresh eyes of Enzo Maresca have pushed it wide open.

For a good number of years at City, there has been a steady stream of homegrown players rising the ranks and graduating into the first team. The club’s success in developing players is clear to see.

For the past 230 games, a run of nearly five years, there has been at least one academy player in the first-team matchday squad. Last season, an academy player started all but one match. Ben Chilwell was sold for £50million, is now an England regular and has won the Champions League. Harvey Barnes, the best attacking talent to come out of the club since Emile Heskey, has just been sold for £38m. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall won the players’ player of the season award in 2022. A year earlier, Luke Thomas set up the winning goal in the FA Cup final.

That success looks like snowballing. This season there have been at least three academy graduates in each of the starting line-ups. In the past two games, there have been six homegrown players in the 20-man squad.

While Dewsbury-Hall, Thomas, and Hamza Choudhury were already established in the squad, Maresca has looked at the likes of Jakub Stolarczyk, Kasey McAteer, and Wanya Marcal-Madivadua and deemed they could hold their own. They have all given a very good account of themselves.

It bodes well for Sammy Braybrooke and Will Alves getting a first-team chance in the second half of the season too, when they are fully recovered from ACL injuries. Arguably two of the club’s three best prospects alongside Ben Nelson, the pair are due to return to light training by the end of the month.

And there’s potential for even more youngsters to step up, especially as they learn Maresca’s style of play. Development squad head coach Ben Petty studied Maresca’s plans during the Italian’s first week at Seagrave and is now implementing those with the Under-21s.

The full-back-turned-midfielder role usually occupied by Ricardo Pereira was present with the Under-21s for their first Premier League 2 game on Monday, a 2-1 win over Derby. New captain Joe Wormleighton took on the role until he went off with a toe injury, with Henry Cartwright then taking on the duties.

Petty told the club's official website: “I was very fortunate. I spent the first week with the new manager and got to see some of his methods. We’ve had a lot of lads train with them. It’s important for me as Under-21s coach to try to prepare lads for the first team, that’s the goal.

“As a group, we’re all comfortable with it, we like the style. We think we can play well with it and get some success. We’ve got a lot of pace and we’re trying to mirror what the first team are doing with four or five on the back-line when we’re breaking. It’s exciting to watch.

“I’ve told Wanya and Kasey I don’t want them coming back! They need to fly and earn their right to play in the first team. The lads that are coming in, they can see there’s a pathway there for them if they’re producing.

“It’s what you’re here for. It’s heartwarming to see it. Both have got a long way to go but they’re trying to grasp the opportunity. It was great to see Jakub take his chance as well. The future’s bright for the club and we’re moving in the right direction.”

But now the likes of Stolarczyk, McAteer, and Marcal-Madivadua have made the step up, they will have to prove they deserve to stay there. As Maresca says, they have his trust, but improvements are needed.

Discussing Marcal-Madivadua, who made his league debut for the club at Huddersfield, Maresca said: “He needs to improve a lot. He played against Burton, he played (against Huddersfield) from the start. We have shown that we trust him, we showed that we see something good.

“But for sure he needs to improve many things. He was quite good. He had some chances in the first half, he also created some chances for team-mates. He’s working well.”

[davieG]

https://www.lcfc.com/news/3637437/a-positive-start--richards-derby-win-verdict?lang=en  - Link includes highlights and interview.

 

A Positive Start' - Richards' Derby Win Verdict
LCFC MEN U21S

Amani Richards believes he is adjusting well to Premier League 2 football having opened his account in Monday’s 2-1 win over Derby County Under-21s.
 

Leicester City’s Development Squad got their PL2 campaign up and running with a victory as they beat the Rams thanks to first half goals from Richards and Zach Booth.

Richards, who scored 12 times for the Under-18s last term, was delighted to get his first of the 2023/24 campaign, and felt it was an all-round good performance from the team.

“It was a great win,” the forward stated. “I think the boys were brilliant. We had to dig in deep at the end, but I think we came out with the win, and we performed well, so it was positive.

First half goals from Amani Richards and Zach Booth guided Leicester City's Development Squad to victory over Derby County.

“I think we were on edge a bit, but we managed to pull through even though it was tough. We were on the back foot for a lot of the time, but we managed to pull through.

“The plan was to come out flying and come straight out of the blocks and then just really put the pressure on and get up early.”

The front line of Richards and Booth brought great success for the Under-21s, who picked up three points on the opening day of the re-structured PL2 league, which now includes 26 teams.

Linking up well with his American strike partner will come as inspiring news to coach Ben Petty, and Richards was keen to commend his teammate, believing there is promising signs from the young Foxes.

Striker Amani Richards's thoughts following a goal and PL2 victory for Leicester City's Development Squad against Derby County.

The 18-year-old added: “When you're running at such speed and then you get in front of the 'keeper, it's easy to mess up and try to rush it. But I think it's all about just staying composed and then just trying to slow yourself down before you take the finish.

“Zach and I are starting to understand each other the more we're playing with each other, and I think that we're going to link up a lot better over the season, so there's more to come.

“The step up has been pretty different. It's a lot sharper. It's a lot faster. But I think I'm really starting to get the hang of things now and I think it's just going to be more positive going forward.”

[Ric Flair]

2 hours ago, moore_94 said:

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/leicester-city-strategy-set-snowball-8684029
 

It bodes well for Sammy Braybrooke and Will Alves getting a first-team chance in the second half of the season too, when they are fully recovered from ACL injuries. Arguably two of the club’s three best prospects alongside Ben Nelson, the pair are due to return to light training by the end of the month.

@Foreverfox thoughts?

[moore_94]

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11712/12941599/arjan-raikhy-punjabi-wonderkid-joins-former-premier-league-champions-leicester-after-leaving-aston-villa

 

Arjan Raikhy: Punjabi wonderkid joins former Premier League champions Leicester after leaving Aston Villa

 

Arjan's father Rav Raikhy told Sky Sports News: "We're all so proud to see Arjan sign for Leicester, who are of course former Premier League champions.

 

"It's been a wonderful journey with Aston Villa, and as a family we're grateful to everyone at the club and the amazing Villa fans for all of the support.

 

"Now, it's time for the next chapter. It's a really exciting move for Arjan and it gives kids the chance to dare to dream. The journey continues."

 

[Ric Flair]

Let's hope Maresca can help develop him rather than him being bogged down in the academy. There's a player in there, despite obvious misgivings about yet another Villa reject turning up here.

[Stadt]

Wonderkids aren't normally nearly 21 

[Jimopinion]

47 minutes ago, moore_94 said:

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11712/12941599/arjan-raikhy-punjabi-wonderkid-joins-former-premier-league-champions-leicester-after-leaving-aston-villa

 

Arjan Raikhy: Punjabi wonderkid joins former Premier League champions Leicester after leaving Aston Villa

 

Arjan's father Rav Raikhy told Sky Sports News: "We're all so proud to see Arjan sign for Leicester, who are of course former Premier League champions.

 

"It's been a wonderful journey with Aston Villa, and as a family we're grateful to everyone at the club and the amazing Villa fans for all of the support.

 

"Now, it's time for the next chapter. It's a really exciting move for Arjan and it gives kids the chance to dare to dream. The journey continues."

 

Publicity stunt signing. A quota signing a bit like affirmative action in politics *yawn*
 

shame such things happen in football! Its blocking pathways of boys we can actually develop!

[coolhandfox]

9 minutes ago, Jimopinion said:

Publicity stunt signing. A quota signing a bit like affirmative action in politics *yawn*
 

shame such things happen in football! Its blocking pathways of boys we can actually develop!

How do you know? 

[The_Rorab]

18 minutes ago, Jimopinion said:

Publicity stunt signing. A quota signing a bit like affirmative action in politics *yawn*
 

shame such things happen in football! Its blocking pathways of boys we can actually develop!

We've signed a number of Villa academy rejects over the past few years in and around this age group, weird that this is the only one I've seen called a quota signing whereas Lewis Brunt, Mitch Clark or Viktor Johansson weren't? 

 

Wonder why.

[st albans fox]

34 minutes ago, The_Rorab said:

We've signed a number of Villa academy rejects over the past few years in and around this age group, weird that this is the only one I've seen called a quota signing whereas Lewis Brunt, Mitch Clark or Viktor Johansson weren't? 

 

Wonder why.

Is it possible that it could be or is the player really good enough to come in at 21 and still make it by developing further ?  
I don’t like the idea that this kind of thing is even considered  (away from the obvious Thai stuff) - everything away from ability and fitness should be irrelevant 

[Molson Canadian]

Sometimes when I read this thread I get the feeling some make disparaging comments about these youngsters either because they didn't make it as kids themselves in football or they are delusional and think their own children deserve a spot in the academy ahead of the kids who are in the academy. 

Edited 17 August 2023 by Molson Canadian

[The_Rorab]

1 hour ago, st albans fox said:

Is it possible that it could be or is the player really good enough to come in at 21 and still make it by developing further ?  
I don’t like the idea that this kind of thing is even considered  (away from the obvious Thai stuff) - everything away from ability and fitness should be irrelevant 

To clarify I don't think it's a quota signing because we have form for this exact profile of transfer over the past 5 years or so and it fits that profile to a T.

[Holly B]

“Discussing Marcal-Madivadua, who made his league debut for the club at Huddersfield, Maresca said: “He needs to improve a lot. He played against Burton, he played (against Huddersfield) from the start. We have shown that we trust him, we showed that we see something good.”

 

How long has Wanya got left on his contract ?

[ALC Fox]

2 hours ago, st albans fox said:

Is it possible that it could be or is the player really good enough to come in at 21 and still make it by developing further ?  
I don’t like the idea that this kind of thing is even considered  (away from the obvious Thai stuff) - everything away from ability and fitness should be irrelevant 

Sometimes academy signings are made to fill the squad out and allow others to flourish or get loan moves away. This could be one of them.

 

Or, he could genuinely be highly regarded and we've decided that there's enough there to warrant a chance.

[majaco]

4 hours ago, Jimopinion said:

Publicity stunt signing. A quota signing a bit like affirmative action in politics *yawn*
 

shame such things happen in football! Its blocking pathways of boys we can actually develop!

Like who?

[filbertway]

Keep filling that u21 team with Villa rejects

[Stadt]

7 hours ago, filbertway said:

Keep filling that u21 team with Villa rejects

Come on mate we need to fill the squad out with players so we can send or better players out on loan and so the U21s don’t lose all the ti- …wait a minute 

[Lesta Legend]

16 hours ago, The_Rorab said:

We've signed a number of Villa academy rejects over the past few years in and around this age group, weird that this is the only one I've seen called a quota signing whereas Lewis Brunt, Mitch Clark or Viktor Johansson weren't? 

 

Wonder why.

I wonder, maybe Nigel Farage can enlighten us.

[Ryy]

Braybrooke just posted on his story of him training 👀👀

[Foxes96]

10 minutes ago, Ryy said:

Braybrooke just posted on his story of him training 👀👀

Perfectly suited to the Winks role in our new setup. Hopefully he can return to fitness and play a part in the second half of the season

[Stadt]

Seems a bit more progressive with the ball than Winks from the glimpses we've seen of him. Enzo is probably just about perfect for his development 

[coolhandfox]

10 minutes ago, Stadt said:

Seems a bit more progressive with the ball than Winks from the glimpses we've seen of him. Enzo is probably just about perfect for his development 

He has also shown his not scared to use young players, people will argue he was forced into using youngsters. 

 

But it would have been an easy option to pick Albrighton for both the league games over Marçal-Madivadua and McAteer, and the same for Iversen over Stolarczyk.