What next for cup debutant?
BRUNT MAY STAY WITH SQUAD OR BE LOANED OUT FOR THE SEASON
LEICESTER City are weighing up the short-term future of Lewis Brunt after his accomplished debut in the FA Cup.
City boss Brendan Rodgers called on a handful of talents from the development squad for the 4-1 third round win against Watford, with Brunt the pick of the bunch, playing the whole 90 minutes across three positions.
Starting in defensive midfield, he shuffled to left-back after half-time, and then finished the game as part of a back three.
Showing composure on the ball and aggression in defence, Brunt impressed.
Now Rodgers has to decide what to do with the 21-year-old, and whether he remains with the squad or is loaned out for more opportunities of first-team football.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s excellent campaign at Luton and subsequent rise to first-team starter at City shows the latter option is a promising one.
“I think his best position will be from behind,” Rodgers said in his assessment of Brunt.
“At Aston Villa as a young player he played as a midfield player, so I knew he could handle it.
“Plus, while he’s got decent pace, I like someone really fast in the backline which is why we had Hamza (Choudhury) there, Hamza’s really quick.
“He showed when he went in there that he can play football.
“He’s a really good passer of the ball, he’s technically very good.
“Tactically he understands the game. I think what Brunty needed was an opportunity.
“When he moved into the back line, he played at left-back, and then eventually he finished as the third centre-half in a back three. I thought he looked very accomplished.
“He was physical, which I like, he defended forward and he passed the ball well.
“It was a great start for him, and now he has to build on that.
“He’s got to maintain that hunger and that drive. That might mean staying here, that might mean going for a loan period to play under sustained pressure.
“You see the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, what he’s given those players who go out on loan.
“If they do well they can come back and become different players.”
Brunt’s arrival at City in the summer came after his release by Midlands rivals Aston Villa.
City Under-23s coach Ben Petty had previously worked at the club, and so knew Brunt well, recognising that he had something to offer, even if Villa did not see fit to renew his contract.
“I’m delighted for him,” Rodgers added. “He’s a young guy who came in here on the back of virtually a couple of years out at Aston Villa.
“He’s come into here on the back of Ben Petty who knew him, and Ben’s done a great job with the second team preparing them for firstteam football.
“You’ve seen the evidence of that with him coming in and being really comfortable.”