"Will be a big part of it" - Leicester City claim issued over 15-year-old sensation Jeremy Monga | OneFootball

FLW’s Foxes fan pundit thinks Jeremy Monga is ready for the first team

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

At just 15 years old, Jeremy Monga has emerged as one of the most highly rated prospects within Leicester City’s youth ranks.

Following the Foxes’ relegation to the Championship, discussions have been prompted regarding his inclusion in the first team squad next season.

While his talent is widely acknowledged, questions remain over whether such early exposure to senior football, particularly in the demanding environment of the second tier, is appropriate.

The case for fast-tracking Jeremy Monga into Leicester City’s first team

With the Foxes due back in the Championship next season, Football League World spoke to Leicester City fan pundit, Louchlainn Martin, on whether or not Jeremy Monga should be a major part of the upcoming campaign, or if it was too much too soon for the young forward.

“Jeremy Monga is the light at the end of the very dark tunnel as a Leicester fan right now,” Martin told FLW.

“We’ve heard of this lad for 12 months since he was about 14 years old, and he is rated higher at the football club than the likes of Dewsbury-Hall, Harvey Barnes and Ben Chilwell ever were, and he’s not the only one, there’s a couple others as well at the moment, Jake Evans as well.

“So, some would say it’s too soon to expect Monga to be a major part of Leicester’s first-team squad - I actually disagree.

"I think he will be a big part of it, as long as he stays, as long as he doesn’t get poached and we have to go through tribunal to try and get some money for him as has happened previously with Leicester.

“Yes, he’s young, he’s incredibly young, he’s going to be 16 when the season starts. Is he ready to handle the demands of senior football, especially in the Championship which is such a tough league?

“Some would say the best approach is to integrate him slowly - I think we’ve been doing that, for the last few months, we’ve been calling for him to get game time since January, I think his debut was in March, he’s had a few cameo appearances now.

“He’s never started a game, he’s never even played a full 45 minutes, but I think that will come next season - in preseason for sure - but then next season as well.

“We all thought he was a right-winger, but the more we see of him and we’ve heard it from his own mouth, that the number 10 position is his preferred spot.

"And with Bilal E; Khannouss likely departing the football club, there is a spot there in the number 10 for him - especially with Mavididi on the left, Abdul Fatawu on the right, and maybe just maybe, Jeremy Monga in the middle.

“It’s exciting. It's tempting to rush a special talent, but we need to manage his development carefully, make sure he’s not playing too many games, picking up injuries, things like that, but I have no doubt this guy is going to be a top, top player in years to come.”

Promising performances show Jeremy Monga is more than just potential

Jeremy Monga’s Premier League debut - made in a sponsorless shirt due to his age - was a landmark moment in an otherwise bleak season for Leicester.

At just 15 years and 271 days old, Monga became the second-youngest player in league history, offering a rare bright spot for Foxes supporters amid the club’s struggles.

His rapid ascent through the academy ranks and early first-team appearances highlight his exceptional promise.

While calls for patience are well-founded, the excitement surrounding Monga is justified.