Leicester U.21 and U.18 update as West Ham and Chelsea fixtures settles season for Petty and Barradell
28/04/2024 12:06
A long season of fixtures are finally over for the U.21 (Development) and U.18(Academy) teams as coaches Ben Petty and Adam Barradell has to analyse their performances, having a new and exciting season coming up. We have taken a look at it all as young players has progressed and of course reflecting on results accomplished.
The U.18 team played their final game of the season, visiting Chelsea. Leicester came back twice but had to see a 3-2 defeat in the end, as the season ends with three defeats. But at this level you need to look at other aspects than just results.
Development is of course the key matter and we hopefully will see players progress. Goalscorers vs. Chelsea, Bobby Amartey and Kirsten Otchere has also had their opportunities in the U.21 set up, doubling up and playing in both teams, makes it a total of games that reach a major tally.
The coach, Adam Barradell has a job to do, to get more concistency into his camp, as the academy at Leicester will be more important than ever, not being able to buy whatever is needed. A number of players will next season be moved up, some moved out and new players appearing in this group.
The U.21’s has enjoyed the of Sammy Braybrooke and Will Alves. Both local players still in their teens with a bright future in front. Being used carefully towards the end of the season after being out with severe injuries for almost a year, they are now back and results have improved lately for the U.21’s. Ben Petty is also under the same pressure as Adam Barradell of delivering results, but also in need of having a group not as much plagued with injuries. Recent results shows good development, winning their two last games home to Stoke (3-1) and away vs. West Ham (3-0).
Wales u.21 international Oliver Ewing scored two goals vs. Stoke. The third goal came from 19 year old Logan Briggs, also a very promising young player. Briggs joined Leicester City in May 2023 from East Fife, for whom he made one senior league appearance.
One massive boost for Ben Petty was also the availability of Marcal Madivadua, who we all would have expected to play more in the first team, or being pushed out on loan, but he remained and his presence has been huge for the U.21 team.
Leicester fielded a very strong side in their last game vs. West Ham, also having Ben Nelson in there, as we certainly did see a team of great performers. Also in the field Cover and Raikhy who both have featured in the first team this season.
Of course interesting to see the retained list of all of these the young prospects, and hopefully the club will be able to get the best out of those decided to give a further life at the club.
U.21 vs. West Ham; Young, Nelson, Wormleighton, Marcal, Raikhy (Briggs 52), Cover, Braybrooke, Alves (Pennant 84), Ali (Lindsay 53), Thomas, Popov (Richards 69)
Unused: Bousor
Booked: Nelson, Raikhy, Braybrooke, Thomas
U.18 vs. Chelsea; French, Joseph, McAlinney, Gray (Ononaye 63), Khela, Neale, Amartey, Otchere, Page (Dyke), Omobolaji (Manga 73), Evans (Donnelly 80)
Unused: Donohue
Booked: Evans, Donnelly
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