Foxes legend Steve Walsh, regarded as ‘Captain Fantastic’ by fans of Leicester City FC, has called the Next Generation Cup, 2022, ‘a great tournament for Indian youth’. The international tournament is part of the Premier League’s partnership with Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) and has five academy teams from England, two from India and one from South Africa currently competing in the United Kingdom. Walsh, who played 14 seasons for former Premier League champions Leicester City, has advised emerging players to enjoy the experience as much as possible.
“I think the Next Generation Cup is such a great tournament. The key is to enjoy and make a name for yourself. They play against some good teams and they will learn from that. I think it’s a great thing. the young players to come over from their country and actually participate in this competition,” said Walsh.
In the semi-finals, Leicester City faced Bengaluru FC on Wednesday at their training ground in Loughborough. The Foxes had taken a six-goal lead, but three goals within seven minutes of the second half allowed the Blue Colts to give the England team some sort of terror as the game ended 6-3.
The former defender, who lives in Leicester, confessed that he has a good relationship with India given the large expat population in the city of Midlands.
Walsh revealed that he has been watching how football in India has grown over the years and is impressed by how the Premier League and FSDL have worked together to take the sport to a whole new level.
“I have always been an avid follower of the development of Indian football and I love what is happening. I am sure that the younger players will reap the greatest benefits from this partnership. This gives them the opportunity to develop and learn from the lens of how youth football works here in England,” said the 57-year-old.
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Leicester City take on South African Stellenbosch in the Group A Next Gen Midlands Final, as Bengaluru takes on another legendary English club – Nottingham Forest FC’s academy team for the play-off for third place on Saturday .
“During this journey it will be important for the players to listen to their coaches as they will be guided on the best way to play in all the different types of formations that modern football is played. The important thing is to learn quickly and do your best for your team,” concluded Walsh in his message to the emerging Indian players.
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