Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: Things to know about the Leicester talent

24 January 2021 21:15

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is enjoying a fine campaign, much like his parent club, Leicester City.

After several years impressing for the Foxes' Under-23 side, the 22-year-old midfielder spent the second half of last season on loan at Blackpool. His spell by the seaside was productive and his form for Luton this term has been even better.

Dewsbury-Hall has been the shining star of the Hatters' season and there was even talk of him being recalled by his parent club. After another impressive display for Luton during their FA Cup defeat to Chelsea, Here is everything you need to know about the prospect.

1. Local lad

There is no better feeling for supporters than a local lad forcing their way into the first team at their boyhood club.

This is becoming increasingly rare in the modern age, but one player who might be able to buck this trend is Dewsbury-Hall.

Born in Shepshed, Leicestershire, he joined the Foxes aged just eight and has remained there ever since. He won the club's Development Player of Year award during the 2018/2019 campaign and looks set to feature prominently for the Foxes next season.

2. He has already played for Leicester

Dewsbury-Hall has experienced both victory and defeat in his two Leicester appearances | James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images

Although Dewsbury-Hall is yet to make his Premier League debut, he has featured in a few cup competitions for the Foxes.

His first appearance came against Brentford in last season's FA Cup. Replacing goalscorer Kelechi Iheanacho with 20 minutes left to play, he helped the Foxes see out a 1-0 win.

His second outing was not so successful. Drafted into a much rotated side, he had a nominal impact as Brendan Rodgers' side crashed out of the EFL Cup at the hands of Arsenal back in September. Soon after, he was loaned to Kenilworth Road.

There is no chance of him adding to his two appearances this season. Although Dennis Praet's recent injury has left Leicester short in midfield, Rodgers admitted that the club had missed the cut off to recall him from Luton.

3. Versatile midfielder

Dewsbury-Hall played in Luton's FA Cup defeat to Chelsea | DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/Getty Images

A wonderfully technical midfielder, Dewsbury-Hall has already demonstrated a great deal of versatility during his short career.

During his time with Blackpool he mainly featured as the deepest of a midfield three in the Tangerines' 3-5-2. However, this is far from the only string in his bow.

For Luton this season, Dewsbury-Hall has mainly played as part of a double pivot in a 4-2-3-1, with a few cameos in a more shuttling midfield role and as a number ten.

This flexibility is testament to his well-rounded game and also suggests that his is extremely coachable. Both of these traits will be music to Leicester's ears.

4. Luton's player of the season so far

Since joining Luton in October., Dewsbury-Hall's impact has been substantial. Right from his very first game for the Hatters - a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday - he has been an automatic starter for Nathan Jones.

Jones is a huge fan of the player and humbly praised himself for signing him in a recent post-match interview.

"Who recruited him? Great recruitment. That’s all I can say," he told LutonToday.

Dewsbury-Hall is also very popular among his teammates, with James Shea saying: "He’s all right isn’t he, he’s not bad at football is he?”

"He’s been absolutely class since he’s come in and long may it continue for him. He's been one of our best players this season, he's big for us, we’ve got to keep him fit, look after him."

5. The next Harvey Barnes?

Barnes used his Championship loan spell to force his way into Claude Puel's plans two years ago | Pool/Getty Images

The starting point of Harvey Barnes' transformation into a Premier League star was a fruitful loan spell in the Championship with West Brom.

Dewsbury-Hall recently revealed that he was also hoping to use his time in the second tier as a springboard to the first team at Leicester.

"I’ve seen what Harvey did, going through the loan system and going up the leagues," he told Luton Today.

"He made a real impact and now everyone can see what he’s doing in the Premier League, so that’s a big aim for me, and I’d like to see that I could follow in the same footsteps he’s gone."

6. FIFA 21 rating

He's a decent player to have on FIFA | Naomi Baker/Getty Images

If you play as a Championship club like Luton, Dewsbury-Hall is a useful little player on FIFA.

The Leicester loanee starts out as a 68, and has the potential to reach 76.

That may seem modest, but if he continues to impress in real life that number will surely increase.

Source: 90min