Leicester City have a rich history of developing talent from their academy.
The Foxes have brought through the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Harvey Barnes and Ben Chilwell in recent years.
All three have now left for a combined fee of £120m, which has been reinvested into the current first-team squad.
So it’s evident just how vital an academy can be for a football club and Leicester’s remains really strong – with one graduate now really impressing out on loan in the Championship.
Oxford fans blown away by Leicester loanee Ben Nelson
Leicester City youngster Ben Nelson, who featured on occasion under Enzo Maresca last season, joined Championship outfit Oxford United on a season-long loan deal in the summer.
Nelson started off on the bench for The U’s but he’s established himself as a regular starter in recent weeks.
Oxford were in action on Tuesday night against Derby and Nelson put in an outstanding performance in the 1-1 draw.
Oxford fans took to X to heap praise on the young City loanee.
One supporter wrote: “Nelson might be one the best player I’ve seen in a yellow shirt. Deffo up there, the kid is ridiculously good.”
Another added: “We’ve been lucky to see some players at #oufc in the past 2 seasons who are going right to the top, and Ben Nelson is definitely in that bracket. Some player.”
A third posted: “Premier League loanees Ben Nelson and Dane Scarlett made a huge impression for #oufc last night. #LCFC centre half Nelson was superb at stepping out from the back and initiating attacks, while #THFC striker Scarlett made it two goals in two games.”
One even compared Nelson to Manchester City centre-back John Stones.
Ben Nelson future starter for Leicester
Nelson is evidently progressing really well in the Championship and once his loan move ends, the natural progression is to play in the Premier League with Leicester.
Steve Cooper’s staff have been keeping an eye on Nelson as well as fellow loanee Tom Cannon – who is spending the year at Stoke City.
If he continues to develop at this rapid rate, perhaps he could partner Wout Faes or Caleb Okoli next season.
The England youth international certainly has a promising future ahead of him.