Leicester City fans experienced a mix of surprise and optimism when manager Marti Cifuentes announced the starting lineup for their match against Oxford United on Saturday. The announcement followed a challenging week for the club, especially with the recent injury of star loanee Jordan James, who was forced off in the game against Wrexham due to a hamstring issue. The treatment of James sparked frustration among supporters, who questioned the decision to wait on a player whose performance had been vital to the team’s success so far.
James’s absence left a significant void in the midfield, coupled with the unavailability of his partner Oliver Skipp, who was reported to be undergoing concussion protocol and dealing with illness. Cifuentes faced the tough task of filling these gaps, and in a surprising turn of events, 17-year-old Louis Page received the nod to start, marking his first league appearance since August.
The lineup to take on the U’s included Jakub Stolarczyk, Ben Nelson, Caleb Okoli, Jannik Vestergaard, Ricardo Pereira, Hamza Choudhury, Louis Page, Stephy Mavididi, Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Abdul Fatawu, and Jordan Ayew. While many fans were familiar with the majority of the players, the decision to start Page showcased Cifuentes’ willingness to embrace risk in a crucial moment.
This bold strategy underlines Cifuentes’ confidence in Page’s abilities, especially given his earlier exposure in the FA Cup against Cheltenham. However, with a position shift to a less familiar role, Page’s performance could be pivotal: if it succeeds, Cifuentes could be hailed a tactical genius; if it falters, he may face criticism from the fans.
Fans will be eagerly watching to see how this gamble pays off, but it also presents an exciting opportunity for Page to showcase his talents on a larger stage. The youth of Leicester City could indeed be the key to turning around their fortunes and capturing the hearts of supporters once more.