Despite the administrative problems and the lack of consistency in the side, Leicester City haven’t overlooked the importance of strengthening their underage squad. And while the Foxes are looking at some major arrivals this season, manager Craig Shakespeare is also conscious of the need to see long-term solutions.
And their reported pursuit of Sheffield Wednesday’s young sensation, George Hirst, is such an example. The Foxes have seen a £1 million bid for the 18-year-old rejected already and they are expected to come back with an improved offer. However, Leicester won’t have it easy by any means as top English clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United also keen on landing him.
Leicester had everything going south last season after their title winning run in 2015. They managed to finish in the 12th position after a very late resurge, which needed the club to sack their star manager, Claudio Ranieri midseason. While a change at managerial level did bring some freshness to the side that pulled them to the Champions League quarter finals, they couldn’t break into the top half.
The likes of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez could manage to score only 48 goals last season in 36 games, proving the popular thinking that their title-winning run was a one-off thing. Leicester are definitely not trying to go for the title next season but to stay within the ambit of the Europa League. And their buy of centre-half Harry Maguire and goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic from Hull City and midfielder Vicente Iborra from Sevilla has paved a long way towards achieving it.
Although Manchester City’s Kelechi Iheanacho is very close to joining King Power Stadium this summer, Shakespeare could surely use someone to use in the Cup ties, which would keep them his first team players fit and fresh for the weekend battles. And Hirst could be that perfect option.
Son of former England striker David Hirst, the player is one of the rising talents in the country. He broke into Sheffield Wednesday’s first team last season where he was brought on from the bench twice. And although he is yet to score at the senior level for Sheffield, the forward has shown his class at England’s underage sides.
He came into the spotlight following England Under-18’s success at the Toulon tournament campaign earlier this summer. He scored four goals there to become the joint top scorer. For the England Under-20s too, the player has managed four goals in five appearances already.
