Leicester City are set to decide on the future of highly-rated defender Ben Nelson in the near future, with a sale looking unlikely to be part of that decision.
Nelson has been tipped to become one of the next big things to emerge from Leicester City’s academy. After being handed the number four shirt for the coming season, fans expected to see his name on the team sheet regularly. However, that has not come to fruition, with his only appearance coming in the Carabao Cup defeat to Huddersfield Town.
After 17 appearances on loan with fellow Championship side Oxford United, his development looked to be on track, and a place in the first team looked to be on the horizon. Premier League side Chelsea were reportedly interested in the defender, led by former City manager Enzo Maresca.
Leicester City to Approve January Loan Switch.
Graeme Bailey told EFL Analysis that the Foxes appear to be weighing up another loan move for the 21-year-old. Regular game time at this stage of his career would be vital to both player and club. After featuring in the Championship last time out, he will know his capabilities at this level. On top of that, the defender is only under contract until 2027, meaning he may be coming into a stage where he is considering his options.
Fans are full of praise for the youngster’s high ceiling since he was a teenager. So much so that a Football League World fan pundit urged the club to do anything in their power to hold on to Nelson.
Oxford United may be a side put on alert if Nelson were available for loan in January. The club could be in search of reinforcements in the winter window, and they currently have five players on loan, leaving them with one spot. However, it could be that the Foxes keep the defender as part of their squad.
Ben Nelson Should be in the Leicester City team.
The 21-year-old has a high ceiling, as we already know. The Leicester City academy has become known for developing young talents such as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. Ian Holloway recently praised the side’s youth setup after signing Tom Wilson-Brown on loan for Swindon Town, who is currently performing exceptionally in League Two.
However, Nelson does not appear to be receiving the same treatment as other academy talents in Marti Cifuentes’ team. While Jannik Vestergaard is an experienced name, the same could not be said for the abilities of Wout Faes. The Belgian put himself in history for the wrong reasons some years ago, scoring a brace of own goals in a Premier League fixture with Liverpool.
Last time out against West Bromwich Albion, Faes picked up a rating of 6.7, winning just one of five aerial and ground duels. Nelson’s injury history may not aid his case, with the Englishman missing almost half of last season through injury. However, with the abilities of Faes called into question and the side’s form dipping, the time to ask Nelson to step up for the Foxes should soon be approaching.