Leicester recalling Harvey Barnes from his loan deal could jeopardize his progress

Leicester City manager Claude Puel has hinted at the possibility of recalling Harvey Barnes from his loan spell at West Bromwich Albion in the January window. (h/t Leicester Mercury)

The 20-year-old midfielder was signed by the Baggies on a season-long loan in the summer but the Foxes have an option to recall him midway through the campaign. Having made a brilliant start to the season at Hawthorns, the youngster has made a solid impression on Puel, who did not rule out bringing him back to the King Power in the winter window. (h/t Leicester Mercury)

“We will see,” said Puel about Barnes’ situation, as quoted by Leicester Mercury. “I am focused on my squad. I follow Harvey’s performances of course but in January we will see what happens. I am happy with his work and about the quality he puts on the pitch, and about the good way, good football for him. We will see.”

Barnes is a product of the Leicester academy and his ongoing loan spell with West Brom is his third such move, having previously had six-month stints away at MK Dons and Barnsley. Since moving to the Hawthorns, the 20-year-old has established himself in Darren Moore’s side and has been instrumental in their brilliant start to the season.

West Brom find themselves sitting in the second spot in the EFL Championship table heading into the international break, having accumulated 24 points from 12 matches (W7, 3D, 2L). Barnes has started every game for the Baggies this term and has managed to produce returns of five goals and two assists in the process.

A versatile customer, the Englishman has excelled when used on the left flank as well as when played in a central attacking midfield role. An able dribbler with bags of creativity and eye for the goal, Barnes’ form saw him earn a call-up to the England U21 team for the upcoming games against Andorra and Scotland.

It is clear that the 20-year-old has what it takes to be a regular in the first-team at Leicester. However, it wouldn’t be the smartest move to recall him from his loan spell at the moment. Under Puel, summer signing James Maddison has been in sensational form, while the likes of more experienced players like Marc Albrighton, Demarai Gray and Rachid Ghezzal are all vying for a spot in the starting XI.

Bringing him back to the King Power at the moment would make him a bench warmer, with sporadic starts here and there in cup games. Whereas, at West Brom, he is one of the first names on Moore’s teamsheet.

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Hence, cutting his loan stint short would mean taking away his regular playing time in the first-team, which is important for him at this stage of his career. Thus, it would be best for Leicester to allow the 20-year-old to continue at the Hawthorns for the rest of the season.