Emile Heskey: I’m not holding my breath for immediate Leicester City promotion

Former Aston Villa, Liverpool and England striker Emile Heskey believes his former side Leicester City may lack the ability to bounce back to the Championship at the first attempt.

However, he sees huge potential in a number of the Foxes’ younger squad members and feels League One may be the perfect proving ground for their prospects.

Leicester have been in a period of transition following their second successive relegation and will look to build under new boss Russell Martin.

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Stabilise

In an exclusive interview with 10bet, Heskey expressed his concern at the club’s relegation but sees an opportunity for prospects to deliver where the more experienced players have failed in the past two campaigns.

The former Foxes man said “It is difficult to see them where they are, but they are where they are. They’ve got to stabilise and give some of the young lads a chance to go and perform. 

“They’ve got a couple of players who I think will do well for them next season. Sammy Braybrooke, and Will Alves is another one to keep your eye out for; he’s a phenomenal player. 

“Players like that need game time, and I think Leicester have got to give them that. Knowing the situation, I’m not sure if they’ll go straight back up, if I’m honest with you.

If they do, well done, but I’m not holding my breath for an immediate return. They’ll build, especially with the youth that they have.”

Quality

A young prospect who won’t be featuring for Leicester next season is new Manchester City signing Jeremy Monga.

Heskey believes Monga has a bright future but should seek a loan move to avoid a lack of playing time.

He explained “I think a loan move would be good. When you look at what City have in those positions, they have Jérémy Doku, they have Antoine Semenyo, there’s Savinho and Marmoush – they’re stacked in the wide areas. 

“So there will be four players who will be ahead of him in the pecking order. He needs to play. He’s just turned 17, but he has already played first-team football.

“At that age, you don’t want to be going backward, sitting on the bench; you want to maintain that momentum. 

“I think he has more than enough quality to eventually play in this City team.

“But when you’ve got arguably the best winger in the league ahead of you – and I’m talking about Doku here – you’ve got to be incredibly confident to think you’re going to come in and immediately dislodge him.”

Read the full exclusive interview with Emile Heskey at 10bet

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