Brendan Rodgers names his Leicester 'player of the season' as academy pays dividends vs Leeds

Leicester City are reaping the benefits from the work that goes on behind the scenes in the club's academy, with homegrown players making their impact on the first team.

The inclusion of Hamza Choudhury in the starting line-up meant that four of the starters against Leeds United on Saturday have come up through the club’s youth ranks.

Choudhury joined Luke Thomas, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Harvey Barnes in the starting XI.

It was Barnes who proved to be the match-winner, with his second-half strike giving City a 1-0 win, their second victory in four days after the win over Burnley in midweek.

The game was Dewsbury-Hall’s 11th start in a row in the Premier League, with his performance leading to be him being tipped as a future captain by manager Brendan Rodgers.

Left-back Luke Thomas has also been a regular fixture in the starting line-up since making a surprise debut back in 2020.

And the defender has also been praised by the City boss.

“With Hamza starting, that’s four homegrown players in today (Saturday), it’s great for them,” he said.

“Luke has probably been our player of the season. He’s a young guy that’s come in, just 20 years of age, how he’s played and performed.

"He’s up against a top winger virtually every week, that’s great for the academy.

“That’s their job. That's why the investment is there to bring young players through, and I’m the kind of coach who will give youngsters their opportunity.”

While Thomas, Dewsbury-Hall and Barnes have been regular starters this season, midfielder Choudhury has had to bide his time for opportunities.

He was selected in an unfamiliar right-back position against Leeds, showing his flexibility, having already filled in at centre-back earlier this campaign.

“It’s