“Marti Cifuentes’ SHOCKING Louis Page Gamble Hands Leicester City a GLORIOUS Victory – Jaw-Dropping Debut Breakdown!”

Leicester City’s academy enjoyed another proud moment on Saturday when 17-year-old Louis Page made his first senior start in the Foxes’ 1-0 Championship victory over Charlton Athletic.

With Bilal El Khannouss absent from the squad amid speculation about his future, manager Marti Cifuentes opted to hand the highly-rated youngster a chance to shine.

It was a reward for the midfielder’s impressive showings over the summer, both under Andy King’s guidance and later when Cifuentes took charge.

Page had already tasted senior football in the EFL Cup first-round tie at Huddersfield Town, but stepping into the Championship was always going to provide a tougher test.

Facing a strong Charlton midfield pairing of Conor Coventry and Greg Docherty, the Lutterworth-born midfielder was tasked with operating as the attacking figure in Leicester’s midfield three.

With Oliver Skipp and Boubakary Soumare sitting deeper, Page initially found promising pockets of space to receive the ball, linking particularly well with Abdul Fatawu on the right.

However, Leicester’s recurring issue of struggling to build from the back soon limited his influence.

Jannik Vestergaard and Caleb Okoli continually looked inside for options, while Skipp and Soumare offered little in progressing play, leaving Page to drop deeper in search of the ball.

A moment of inexperience almost cost City dearly when Page was dispossessed inside his own half, allowing Charlton to threaten.

Encouragement from teammates Hamza Choudhury and Fatawu helped him settle, though, and he nearly capped his first league start with a stunning opener as a volley whistled just over the bar.

As the game developed, Page grew in confidence. In the second half, he looked increasingly assured, taking on senior opponents and backing his ability.

Fatawu’s brilliant strike to give Leicester the lead gave the teenager even more freedom.

Shortly before being substituted on the hour mark, Page showcased his creative instincts by driving into space down the left, beating Coventry and lifting a clever cross towards the far post. Fatawu failed to anticipate it, but the intent was clear.

Cifuentes’ decision to replace him with Patson Daka was purely tactical, with Leicester beginning to exploit space in behind Charlton’s defensive line, making Daka’s pace the better option.

As Page left the field, he was warmly embraced by Choudhury, Fatawu, Cifuentes and others on the bench — recognition of a debut league start that offered plenty of encouragement for the future.