Rudkin: International Experience Key For Youngsters

A handful of City youngsters have been involved with international football at various levels over the past few days and there are more potential appearances to come.
Left-back Ben Chilwell, who played 90 minutes in the England Under-19s’ 3-0 victory over Belarus on Friday, has performed at both Academy and Development Squad level for the Foxes this season.
Catching the Young Lions manager Sean O’Driscoll’s eye after the defender put on a series of impressive games for the Club, Rudkin said: “It will be an excellent experience. There’s some good quality players and he’ll be in and amongst a very good squad.
“It’s a key part of his pathway – he’s a modern left-back that loves driving forward and he can contribute to goals as well.
“But he enjoys the defending part and that’s a part which is disappearing in the game a little bit – those that really enjoy the defensive side – getting the blocks and body in the way and defending that goal with all their might.
“He’s got a lot of attributes and has a number of areas that he’s working very hard upon.
“He’s focusing very hard on his own development along with the coaching staff with Trevor, Matt and Steve Beaglehole with the 21s so he’s going in the right direction.”
A cornerstone of development, City’s Academy has been a pathway into the Barclays Premier League for several players including Jeffrey Schulpp, Andy King and Liam Moore.
Hoping that others follow in their footsteps, Rudkin continued: “I think what we do have at the football club is a lot of very good solid professionals and good role models for them to watch and learn from and hopefully go on and mirror their career paths.
“There’s some good people here – it’s an excellent environment for our young players to go and try and follow in their footsteps.
“[Performing well for the Academy] is what gets them established. They’re regularly viewed by the selection team from various international bodies.
“The performance that we’re seeing, both in terms of team and more importantly individual because that’s what gives them the opportunity.
“What they do here at our football club will always bring about those chances to go on and represent their respective countries.
“Darnell Johnson, Admiral Muskwe and Layton Ndukwu have been involved with the England Under-16s and 17s.
“There’s a great challenge for those boys to be in the thoughts of the national team.
“There’s been a number through the age groups being involved at 15 and 16 level and I think that’s all been a springboard set from Liam Moore who’s again recently been selected for the England Under-21s.”
Simonas Stankevicius is another Development Squad member who will be able to take a great deal of knowledge from international football.
While the 19-year-old striker was an unused substitute in Lithuania’s 2-0 European Championship qualifier loss to Slovenia on Sunday, the experience of travelling out to different countries with hardened professionals will be one to savour.
“He’s been involved in the squad and he’s been even within the UEFA competition in the same group as England where he’s come off the bench and contributed to their performances,” said Rudkin.
“They’re doing reasonably well and I’m sure he’s got one eye on the England fixture as well – what a great experience that will be for him to be in and around that.
“Again, him and Tomas Dombrauskis have gained some really valuable experience at international level and it’s important then that they bring that knowledge back and continue their pathway at Leicester City.
“They’re very good lads. They’re dedicated, focused and they’ve got a great attitude towards the game.
“They’re real students and they’re maximising their opportunity to hopefully aim to be footballers at this football club.”
City also have an Irish contingent in action as two more of the Club’s youngsters have been called up to represent their nations.
Rudkin added: “Conor Anderson has featured very strongly this season with the Northern Ireland Under-18s. He’s a young player that, despite his height of around 6’2”, is still growing and still maturing as a young defender.
“He’s come on a great deal this season and rightly been rewarded the opportunity to go and play at international level with Northern Ireland.
“It’s a great honour for him, his family and the football club.
“That’s along with Sean Burke who is on stand-by on this occasion. He’s been away with the Republic of Ireland recently – both hopefully will benefit from these experiences.”