Large squads stifle chances for emerging talents is the message from Marti Cifuentes.
But why must that be the case? That’s the question Leicester City supporters are now posing.
It seems unreasonable of Cifuentes to imply that routes for young prospects are obstructed when he holds the authority. He could simply select them, couldn’t he? Cifuentes apparently doesn’t believe it’s that straightforward.
Altering the mindset within the squad, ensuring there’s a positive atmosphere and fostering unity among team-mates are all crucial components for the Spaniard. On Saturday, he stated that togetherness was the ultimate key to overcoming difficult times.
Perhaps he believes, then, that choosing youngsters over more established figures could jeopardise that atmosphere.
Because those academy players cannot feature every week. Doing so would be not only physically taxing but mentally overwhelming. There’s a risk of too much pressure too early.
Louis Page, despite his ability, did look a little overawed at moments during his few appearances at the start of the campaign.
The last scenario a manager would want is to stunt a youngster’s development by throwing them into the deep end and then not giving them room to learn gradually.
There’s also a hierarchy within football squads. It can be damaging to a senior player’s confidence and drive when they’re leapfrogged by a teenager.
If a young talent breaks into the team for a run of games but then needs rest, Cifuentes would need to revert back to the older player to step in. At that point, it might be harder to get the best out of them, especially if their egos have been bruised, potentially worsening team performance.
But if the plan is to move those senior players on eventually, why is that an issue? Well, City have demonstrated that offloading players isn’t straightforward. Finding clubs willing to pay both fees and wages can prove challenging.
If too many senior players are at the club without regular involvement, training intensity could drop and the overall team morale may dip. That then affects everyone, including the youngsters.
However, City now appear to have reached a stage where the credibility of those arguments is diminishing. Because it’s not as though a content squad filled with seasoned players is actually delivering points right now.
There’s also the atmosphere in the stands to consider, and supporters would likely be much more satisfied if the likes of Ben Nelson and Bade Aluko were starting matches.
The younger players too, would arguably show greater hunger. They’re at the beginning of their professional journeys and have something to prove. They are striving to reach the Premier League.
For many of the experienced players in the squad who are accustomed to the top flight, finding motivation for Championship games may be harder.
It does feel like there would be more understanding for Cifuentes’ position if, for instance, he had at least given Jake Evans a few minutes here and there before he departed for the Under-17s World Cup.
It appears he’s unwilling to do that while he has at least two senior options for each role, and with very few injuries creating opportunities that need filling.
It will be intriguing to see if he reconsiders as results continue to worsen. Because the calls for academy prospects to be included are growing louder with every defeat.