Leicester City’s Louis Page Set for Potential Debut Tonight

Seventeen-year-old Louis Page is poised to make his competitive senior debut for Leicester City during tonight’s Carabao Cup first-round clash against Huddersfield. Manager Marti Cifuentes has expressed strong confidence in the young midfielder, highlighting his potential to develop further within the team.

Page, who was an unused substitute during the weekend match, has impressed with his performances during pre-season. His rapid advancement through the ranks of the club has caught the attention of Cifuentes, who noted the teenager’s maturity and skill set as key assets. The England Under-17 international is expected to feature prominently in the squad this season, particularly given the anticipated changes for the cup tie.

Cifuentes Highlights Page’s Potential

In discussing Page, Cifuentes remarked, “I’ve been impressed since day one with his understanding and his smartness in the way he plays. Positionally, he’s very good.” He described Page as a versatile midfielder who can contribute both defensively and offensively, stating, “He’s a midfielder with capacity at the base, to drop and help the build-up, but also to play in between the lines.”

Cifuentes further praised Page’s technical abilities, specifically his “fantastic left foot” and strong shooting capacity during set plays. He expressed optimism about Page’s growth, saying, “I just have a feeling he will grow and grow. He’s now training with players of really high quality. What I see in training, I’m very encouraged.”

Despite the excitement surrounding Page, Cifuentes emphasized the importance of developing young talent at a measured pace. “He’s just turned 17. We need to help him to take the right steps at the right time. But I’m very happy with him. He’s definitely a midfielder with a lot of potential,” he added.

Changes Expected for Carabao Cup Match

Cifuentes confirmed that he plans to make adjustments to the lineup for the match against the League One leaders, which could also see veteran goalkeeper Asmir Begovic make his debut for the club. Additionally, players like Jeremy Monga and Bade Aluko are likely to earn their first starts, reflecting a strong presence from the academy in the squad.

Cifuentes articulated his philosophy regarding player development, stating, “For me, it’s not about putting a medal on myself by giving a certain amount of players from the academy their debuts this season; it’s about preparing them to succeed. That’s the most important thing.” He acknowledged that each player may progress at their own pace but emphasized the need for a supportive environment to foster their success within the club.

As Leicester City prepares for the match at the Accu Stadium, the focus will be on how the young talents, including Page, can make an impact and contribute to the team’s ambitions in the cup competition. The evening promises to be a significant moment for both the players and the club as they look to build on their potential and strive for success in the tournament.