Former Liverpool, Leicester City and Aston Villa striker Emile Heskey believes Jeremy Monga should leave Manchester City on loan next season to continue his development.
The 17-year-old joined Man City from Leicester earlier this year and is regarded as one of the brightest young talents in English football.
However, Heskey feels breaking into Pep Guardiola’s first team immediately will be a huge challenge given the competition for places.
Speaking exclusively to 10bet, Heskey said a temporary move would be the best option for the teenager.
Heskey backs Jeremy Monga loan move
Heskey believes Monga has the ability to play for Manchester City in the future, but says regular first-team football is far more important at this stage of his career.
“I think a loan move would be good. When you look at what [Manchester] City have in those positions, they have Jeremy Doku, they have Antoine Semenyo, there’s Savinho and Marmoush – they’re stacked in the wide areas.
“So there will be four players who will be ahead of him in the pecking order. He needs to play. He’s just turned 17, but he has already played first-team football. At that age, you don’t want to be going backward, sitting on the bench; you want to maintain that momentum.
“I think he has more than enough quality to eventually play in this City team. But when you’ve got arguably the best winger in the league ahead of you – and I’m talking about Doku here – you’ve got to be incredibly confident to think you’re going to come in and immediately dislodge him.”
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Leicester promotion doubts
Heskey also shared his thoughts on his former club Leicester City ahead of the new League One season, admitting he is not convinced they will earn an immediate return to the Championship.
Instead, he believes the Foxes should focus on giving opportunities to promising young players such as Sammy Braybrooke and Will Alves.
“It is difficult to see them where they are, but they are where they are. They’ve got to stabilise and give some of the young lads a chance to go and perform.
“They’ve got a couple of players who I think will do well for them next season. Sammy Braybrooke, and Will Alves is another one to keep your eye out for; he’s a phenomenal player.
“Players like that need game time, and I think Leicester have got to give them that. Knowing the situation, I’m not sure if they’ll go straight back up, if I’m honest with you.
“If they do, well done, but I’m not holding my breath for an immediate return. They’ll build, especially with the youth that they have.”
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