Why Jeremy Monga’s not played Leicester City’s last four games what must be accepted with winger
The teenager played in all but one of City’s first 12 games of the campaign, but not has not featured in any of their last four, instead remaining on the substitutes’ bench
Jeremy Monga has not played in any of Leicester City’s last four matches(Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Leicester City have to accept that Jeremy Monga will have “ups and downs” and will need breaks from the line-up.
Monga has not played in any of City’s last four matches, missing the defeat to Blackburn through illness while remaining an unused substitute against Middlesbrough, Norwich and Stoke.
On Saturday, manager Marti Cifuentes turned to Silko Thomas to help see the game out when Stephy Mavididi needed to be withdrawn.
It represents Monga’s longest period out of the side this season, with the 16-year-old playing in all but one of City’s first 12 matches of the campaign.
Cifuentes says he’s analysing Monga’s mood and training performances, and believes it’s natural for the teenager to be less consistent than his more senior team-mates.
“Sometimes young players will have ups and downs and we try to analyse everything, how they feel, training, everything,” Cifuentes said.
“It’s not been an easy period for him. He was involved in three games during the international break (for England Under-19s) so it was quite a high load for him.
“We were thinking of giving him some minutes (against Stoke) but with the way the game was developing, we thought Silko could give us something else.
“I have full belief and full trust in Jez and he will have many more minutes this season.”
Monga is not expected to start against Southampton on Tuesday night, with Mavididi likely to continue on the left flank following his “best performance of the season”, as described by the manager.
City will need their best players on top form against a Saints side that have recovered from a rocky first few months, a period that saw Will Still sacked.
Cifuentes added: “When you analyse the starts of the three clubs who were relegated, in the beginning of the season, changing the trends and changing the mood, it takes some time.
“But there is quality in this (Southampton) squad. They’ve been through a difficult start which is why a good manager is not there anymore.
“But credit to the new manager that is doing so well that they are getting results. It’s an impressive score on a difficult pitch, so I’m aware they will be full of confidence.”
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