Ruud van Nistelrooy’s decision to include Henry Cartwright in Leicester City’s first-team squad marks a promising shift in the club’s approach to academy integration and gives a boost to rising talents within the ranks. The 19-year-old defensive midfielder was named to the bench for Leicester’s match against Newcastle, a consequence of several injuries and suspensions in the team’s midfield. While Cartwright didn’t make it onto the pitch, his selection over experienced players like Odsonne Edouard is a positive indicator for the Under-21s.
This inclusion is noteworthy given Leicester’s recent break from a nearly six-year streak of having at least one academy player in every senior matchday squad. Under Steve Cooper, this tradition had lasted 288 games, but with van Nistelrooy now at the helm, it seems the club is rekindling its commitment to promoting youth. During the trip to Newcastle, van Nistelrooy included four players who had been with the club since the under-nine level, while academy right-back Jayden Joseph also made the journey.
The involvement of academy players has become a hot topic for Leicester fans, especially with emerging talents like Jeremy Monga and Jake Evans impressing at the youth level. Leon McSweeney, manager of the Under-21s, has welcomed this change, calling Cartwright’s call-up a sign of van Nistelrooy’s broader intentions to prioritize youth development. McSweeney expressed optimism, noting, “This early integration of academy players into the first team bodes well for the future. It gives our young players real belief that hard work can lead to senior opportunities.”
Cartwright, a local lad from Leicester who attended Brockington College in Enderby, sees this call-up as a significant milestone in his journey. Reflecting on the experience, he shared, “Being around the first team was incredible. I trained with them every day, and even though I didn’t expect to feature, with Bouba Soumare out injured, I held on to a glimmer of hope. When I found out I was on the bench, I was over the moon.”
For Cartwright, making his debut for the first team has been a long-term goal. “I’ve put so much into this club over the years, and playing for the first team is where I’ve always wanted to be,” he said. “Now, I just need to keep working hard, stay focused, and trust that the opportunity will come.”
