By Luke Pawley
Leicester City fielded five trialists in their Under-18 Premier League defeat to West Bromwich Albion last Saturday (November 21).
The young Foxes lost 3-1 to their Midlands rivals, meaning they have now conceded 37 goals in their eight games played so far this season.
Starting for Leicester was 16-year-old Kelechi Chibueze, a highly regarded goalkeeper who was released by Chelsea at the end of last season.
The Foxes have been tracking Chibueze for over a year and the teenager is understood to be keen on a move to the East Midlands club.
In front of him in the back four was Crystal Palace defender Cameron Jessup, while centre-half Oliver Hempstead and left-back Ibbi Sulliman are lesser known players whose backgrounds are unclear.
“It’s a strange one,” said a Crystal Palace source, about Jessup’s trial.
“He’s not a bad player, but I wouldn’t expect a club like Leicester – who are a better club in terms of academy systems – to swoop in and take him on trial. He’s been average for Palace.”
Worcester City reserves midfielder Kartell Dawkins also started the game for coach Adam Barradell’s side. Little is known about Dawkins, apart from the fact that he has also featured for non-league side Solihull United.
“The coaches like to keep info about trialists close to their chests in case they get poached,” a source close to the club said.
“But they’re all good players and we have a great academy scouting team down at Belvoir Drive.”
Meanwhile, a football academy co-owned by former Leicester winger Matt Piper has announced that one of its players is to go on trial with the club.
“This is Bradon,” Football and Sports Diploma Academy wrote in a tweet. “He’s been with FSD for 2yrs! Starting with us as an Alternative Provision student, struggling in the High School environment, turning his back on football & Education!
“Today, he’s on course to pass Diploma in Sport & this Thursday will go on trial at #lcfc.”
Leicester are looking to bolster their youth ranks after a poor start to the season. If the first team finish in the top four of the Premier League this season, their Under-19s will qualify for the UEFA Youth League – for which Leicester need to be prepared with a strong squad.
The Foxes’ Under-18s are next in action this Saturday (November 28) as they travel to Tottenham Hotspur.
