'He Can Do Big Things' - Harambee Stars Prospect Otieno Praised By Leicester City Coach Cifuetnes

Leicester City manager Marti Cifuentes has revealed he deliberately chose not to enter the transfer market for a new winger, placing his trust in the club's emerging talent, Silko Thomas Otieno.

Following Kasey McAteer's departure to Ipswich in August, City was left with only three senior wingers: Abdul Fatawu, Stephy Mavididi, and Jeremy Monga. However, instead of seeking an external replacement, Cifuentes opted to promote from within.

This decision has opened the door for 21-year-old Otieno Thomas, who has since made his senior debut against Charlton and has made five Championship appearances this season in total.

Cifuentes explained that Thomas first caught his attention during a loan spell in League One last season, and his performances during pre-season training solidified the manager's confidence.

"I knew Silko from last season on loan at Wigan and I was really impressed about the way he managed until he picked up an injury," Cifuentes stated to LeicesterShereLive. "When we arrived, it was a fresh start for everybody and so it was a good opportunity for him to show."

The manager praised the young winger's development and attributes, highlighting his work ethic and on-field intelligence.

"He’s been improving and improving since I’ve been here, showing a lot of great things in training," Cifuentes added. "He’s the kind of winger we like because he runs in behind, he has pace, he is eager to show his energy. Then as well, he’s smart with the ball. He understands when it’s time to go one-v-one and when it’s not."

Cifuentes confirmed that the club considered signing a new player after McAteer left but ultimately decided that Thomas was the right choice to fill the fourth winger spot in the squad.

"When Kasey left, it was an opportunity to look at the market and try to find a replacement," he explained. "The first step is to look in house, and the reality was that I was very happy with Silko, so I preferred not to sign anyone else. I’m a big believer that Silko can do a good job for us. I’m sure he will have a lot of minutes this season."

Although Thomas has recently featured for Leicester's Under-21 side, he is not a product of the club's academy. He joined from Chelsea's youth system two years ago and was named City's Development Squad Player of the Season in his first year at the club.

Born in England, Thomas is of Kenyan and Jamaican descent. He is a youth international for England, having played for the England U18s.

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has already revealed his intentions to cast his net wide for players with Kenyan roots spread across the world.

The former Manchester United attacking coach noted that this has significantly expanded his pool of potential talent, and Otieno could be among those convinced to play for Kenya.

He added that he plans to identify and select the best-performing players from different leagues, regardless of where they are based, and integrate them into the national team to build a strong, well-balanced squad.

“Every single day, I learned something new about Kenya. I learned that they've got so many extended players all over the world, you know, that's got a Kenyan mother or Kenyan father, like with immediate ties to the country, and they play at respectable clubs in Europe throughout,” Benni McCarthy said on the Added Time Podcast.

“So, my pool of players has just gotten worldwide. So, of course, if I'm smart, I would really dig into that and see and take the best players I can take from wherever they are, whichever league they play in, based on their forms and everything, integrate them with the national team, and then yeah, just build a proper team.”