Leicester City are a club well-known for producing incredible talent through their affluent academy.
Whether they’ve risen to stardom at the King Power Stadium or flourished elsewhere, Leicester will always be remembered as the club where it all started.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is the prime example. The 26-year-old came through the academy before developing into an unbelievable talent under Enzo Maresca as he helped fire them to the Championship title.
Now, since leaving the Foxes to join Chelsea in the summer, the move hasn’t worked out for the Englishman so far, and Dewsbury-Hall has been linked with a return to Leicester under Ruud van Nistelrooy.
A similar narrative has unfolded for winger Harvey Barnes, a fellow academy graduate, who joined Newcastle United for £39 million in the previous window.
How Harvey Barnes has fared since joining Newcastle United
Barnes was an exciting winger to watch at the King Power, frightening defenders with his pace down the left flank and cutting in on his devastating right foot.
The Englishman accumulated 187 appearances while at Leicester, scoring 45 goals and assisting 32 before jumping ship to join Newcastle following relegation.
Barnes, who had become one of the Premier League’s most thrilling wingers, was expected to reach new heights at St James Park and help galvanise a European push.
Injury blighted his debut campaign, which forced him to miss 16 games, although he still appeared 21 times in the top flight and provided eight goal involvements.
| Harvey Barnes Newcastle stats | Total |
| Games | 40 |
| Goals | 10 |
| Assists | 4 |
Now, he’s already plundered five goals this term, mostly from the bench, as he often finds himself battling Anthony Gordon for a place in the side.
Newcastle United writer offers expert insight into Barnes
To provide further insight into how Barnes is getting on at Newcastle, we spoke to Geordie Boot Boys writer James Rutherford.
When asked how he was faring in black and write, Rutherford said: “Obviously most of last season was ruined by injury, but he’s chipped in with a lot of key goals when fit.
“The problem he’s got is that he’s just not at the same level as Anthony Gordon, which has resulted in him being used more as an impact player. He’s a great understudy on the left side, but that’s not much use for a Newcastle side that spent £39million on him yet are now unable to afford a right winger.”
Barnes has been disappointed about his lack of game time, and this raised questions about whether they’d be willing to sell, to which Rutherford answered: “I think the likelihood of him being sold depends on his desire to leave.
“It has been reported by the Telegraph that he’s frustrated by his lack of starting opportunities, which is understandable.
“For Newcastle, selling Barnes could be an answer to their PSR problem, but I’m sure Eddie Howe would rather keep a player of his quality.”
Perhaps the best move for both parties would be a loan move, and Leicester fans would welcome back Barnes with open arms.