Jeremy Monga is a footballer Leicester boss Marti Cifuentes can’t afford to ignore. His display against Birmingham highlighted how he can transform a match.
Watching him remain on the bench at Kassam Stadium yesterday was a startling sight. He was bypassed and left unused in a fixture where his presence was sorely required.
He is an exceptional talent and superior to everyone else in the Leicester lineup. Seeing him sit idle is a travesty. Marti Cifuentes must recognise this crucial truth. Each time this youngster is denied minutes on the pitch, it erodes his sharpness and hampers his readiness for the next outing.
Watching Jeremy Monga is reminiscent of watching Pelè. Pelè was a phenomenon at only 16 years old, first dazzling in the 1958 World Cup. Monga carries the same graceful balance and fluid movement. He also owns a velvety first touch. This should secure him a spot in the starting XI. He has to begin the next match.
Leaving him among the substitutes after such outstanding showings for England U19 signals a lack of football intelligence. Handing minutes to Patson Daka, Bobby De-Cordova Reid and others ahead of Monga borders on insanity. If this pattern continues, Jeremy Monga could depart in January. Perhaps that explains the ongoing rumours.
Selling him to Real Madrid, Chelsea or Man City—just keeping him around until the January transfer window—might be the only rationale, as other players also need match time to maintain form.
Jeremy Monga is 16 years old and already represents England U19, a remarkable endorsement. He deserves inclusion in this Leicester side every single game.
In the trio of matches for the Three Lions earlier in September, England drew 2-2 with Spain, beat Holland 4-1, and overcame Ukraine 2-0.
Monga played the second half against Holland, entered in the 69th minute versus Spain, and started against Ukraine, logging 70 minutes. Reports from these fixtures were overwhelmingly positive. Seeing him sidelined at Oxford was a glaring disappointment.
It is exasperating to witness as Leicester struggles to collect victories. No league encounter so far has been convincing or commanding. Jeremy Monga should be in the lineup every matchday. No other Leicester player matches his flair and ability—not even Abdul Fatawu.