Why Harvey Barnes will slot straight in Leicester’s starting XI


With Leicester confirming on Friday that they had recalled Harvey Barnes from a loan spell at West Brom, Baggies fans will have been left bitterly disappointed.

The 21-year-old has been instrumental in Darren Moore’s side’s push for promotion at the first time of asking, and his absence will unquestionably be a huge blow to their credentials.

The winger scored nine goals and registered six assists for the Midlands club having started all 26 league games for the club to date, proving just how immediate his impact was at The Hawthorns.

Exuding confidence from day one at the Championship outfit, Barnes has attempted more shots than any other player in the division (88), and his aforementioned goals and assist tallies could so easily have been greater. The youngster had, after all, hit the woodwork more than any other player in the league (six), as well as creating the most clear cut chances in England’s second tier (10).

 

 

Meanwhile, with only one player completing more dribbles in the Championship to now than Barnes’ 45, the England youth international has proven to be the whole package in the final third. A WhoScored.com rating of 7.24 is second only to Tammy Abraham of players under the age of 23 in the division, and West Brom’s loss is undoubtedly Leicester’s gain.

Having shown his quality on loan at Barnsley last season, it was something of a surprise that Barnes wasn’t seen as a viable first team option in the summer. That the Foxes instead hoped that Fousseni Diabate could come good on the promise he had begun to show, whilst bolstering their wide options following the sale of star man Riyad Mahrez with the signing of Rachid Ghezzal.

However, with the latter struggling to make a meaningful impact, starting just six of 13 league appearances, and Diabate even less so - this week moving on loan to Turkish outfit Sivasspor - rather than make a move in the market, the club have taken the wise route to recall a player in stronger form than any of the attacking options at their disposal.

While he may have been playing at a lower level, Barnes has shown the attributes that should make him a Premier League star, so why wait?

 

Leicester wingers/attackers WhoScored.com rating by starting position

Why Harvey Barnes will slot straight in Leicester’s starting XI

 

Demarai Gray has struggled with injuries and consistency this season, with Marc Albrighton perhaps still the club’s most reliable performer from wide despite always seeming to be on the fringe of Claude Puel’s first team plans. The pair have been the most used wingers at the club this season, but both have started just 12 league games, with a direct hand in just seven goals combined.

There is little doubt that, on form at least, Barnes should not only be a part of the first team at Leicester but among the first names on the team sheet. The 21-year-old certainly has work to do on the defensive side of his game but his direct and willing running will be a huge asset to the club in the second half of the season, and for those that haven’t seen him before now, watch this space.

Why Harvey Barnes will slot straight in Leicester’s starting XI