Leicester City have enjoyed a high-flying league campaign so far this season
The Foxes have maintained their position at the summit of the Championship table since the eighth fixture of the season, and as the campaign enters its final stretch with only 12 games remaining, they emerge as formidable contenders for automatic promotion. With an impressive record of 25 victories in 34 league matches, they currently lead the title race.
However, despite their overall success this season, Leicester City recently encountered setbacks, suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to Middlesbrough followed by another loss to promotion rivals Leeds United at Elland Road. These defeats have narrowed the gap between Leicester and Leeds to just six points, intensifying the competition for the title.
Leicester boasts the league’s best goal-scoring record, having scored 70 goals in 34 matches, while also possessing the second-best defensive record, rendering them a formidable force to contend with.
Despite their defensive prowess, one player who has seen limited involvement with the Foxes this season is young defender Callum Doyle. The exceptional performances of Leicester City’s center-backs have restricted Doyle’s playing time, prompting questions from his parent club, Manchester City, regarding his development and utilization.
High expectations of Callum Doyle
Before his move to Leicester City during the summer transfer window, Tommy Doyle garnered valuable experience through two successful loan spells. Emerging as a prominent figure in the youth setups of both Manchester City and England, Doyle demonstrated maturity suitable for senior football from a young age, culminating in his transfer to Sunderland in the summer of 2021.
His tenure with the Black Cats proved highly fruitful, as he amassed 44 appearances across all competitions, playing a pivotal role in the club’s promotion from League One.
Upon the conclusion of his loan spell at Sunderland, Doyle returned to Manchester City before being loaned out once again, this time to Coventry City in the Championship. Building on his previous success, Doyle contributed significantly to Coventry’s campaign, notably helping them secure a play-off berth. Despite narrowly missing out on promotion in the final against Luton Town, Doyle’s performances at the heart of Coventry’s defense showcased his defensive prowess.
With 39 league starts as a central defender, Doyle established himself as a key asset for Coventry, solidifying his reputation as one of the most promising talents in his position, as evidenced by his call-up to the England U21 squad and subsequent goal.
Transitioning from League One promotion to Championship play-offs, the logical progression in Doyle’s career led him to Leicester City, a club renowned for its resources and infrastructure. Additionally, the presence of manager Enzo Maresca, formerly Assistant Manager to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, further underscored the appeal of the move for Doyle.
Doyle’s spell with Leicester so far
The prevailing anticipation within the Championship this season was for Leicester City to emerge as strong contenders for the title, a scenario that has indeed materialized. However, the involvement of Tommy Doyle, though expected to be significant by Manchester City, has fallen short of expectations following two highly successful loan stints in the EFL.
Regrettably, the 20-year-old endured a prolonged absence of three months due to injury before marking his return in January. Since recuperating from this setback, he has encountered difficulty securing a spot in Leicester’s starting lineup. Even prior to his injury, Doyle predominantly featured as a left-back, despite his natural position being that of a center-back.
While Doyle commenced the season with eight consecutive league starts, he was seldom deployed in his preferred central defensive role, a position where he had previously excelled during loan spells. Leicester’s current center-back pairing of Wout Faes and Jannik Vestergaard has exhibited stellar form throughout the campaign, significantly contributing to the Foxes’ pursuit of the title. Consequently, Doyle has found his playing time limited, with fewer opportunities for regular starts in the Championship.
This situation prompts speculation as to whether Manchester City would have benefited more from loaning Doyle to a different club where he could have secured guaranteed playing time on a consistent basis. Despite his mid-season injury setback, Doyle’s inability to maintain his progression as a central defender, even when fit, raises concerns for Manchester City, who are keen for his continued development within the sport.