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January 3, 2024

Putting Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the Lead – EFL CHAMPIONSHIP

At the King Power Stadium, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has gone through a legendary journey from Academy prospect to first-team mainstay.

And for the Leicester City midfield player, the story is only getting better.

Under the direction of new manager Enzo Maresca, the self-described performing arts enthusiast has taken on the lead role in Leicester’s production, with previous protagonists James Maddison and Youri Tielemans moving on to new pastures in the summer.

The 25-year-old, who draws inspiration from the theater professionals he admires in his free time, has been one of the EFL’s best showmen thus far, pulling the strings from a more advanced role this term.

“I’m a massive fan of West End shows, and I have a lot of respect for that industry and the people in it,” says Dewsbury-Hall. “I’ve got a lot of friends in that business, and there are more similarities than you’d probably think.”

“Their job is to entertain on stage and I’m here to entertain on the pitch, so I feel like there’s a mutual respect and I can pick up a few tips and tricks from them, even though it’s a completely different way of life.

“I feel like in terms of my own story, I’ve been in the first team for a couple of years, so I’ve bedded myself in and now I would like to take on a lead role.

“I might not be the most talkative in the group, but I try to set an example on the pitch, and I’m very keen to help anybody in any way possible. Hopefully this ends up being a successful chapter for me in my career.”

Adversity has accompanied Dewsbury-Hall’s journey, just like it does in any compelling story.

In every sense of the word, City’s No. 22 is a late bloomer; at age 21, he made his senior debut by coming off the bench in an FA Cup match against Brentford in January 2020.

And that’s when he truly began to develop—during later loan stints at Luton Town in the Sky Bet Championship and Blackpool in Sky Bet League One.

“I wouldn’t change anything about my journey and I look back on it with fond memories,” Dewsbury-Hall explains. “I’m so happy I had those loan spells because they moulded me into the person I am today.”

“My stint at Blackpool was alongside some really experienced players, such as Jay Spearing and Gary Madine, and there were a lot of people who had been in the EFL for a while. To be thrown in at the deep end like that was great for me and made me grow up a lot.

“To then go to Luton and play a full season in the Championship was so good for my development and I feel like that’s when I went from a boy to a man.”

“I do attribute a lot of my success to those loan spells because without them, it might’ve been a different pathway for me.”

The Foxes Academy alumnus has continued to grow since that time.

Dewsbury-Hall was ready to compete for a spot in the starting lineup when he returned to Leicester for the 2021–2022 season after winning the Players’ Player of the Season award at Kenilworth Road. He didn’t waste that chance.

During his maiden season, the Shepshed man scored his first goal for the Club against Napoli in the UEFA Europa League, played in 28 Premier League games, and appeared at Wembley Stadium during an FA Community Shield victory over Manchester City.

He says: “My family are Leicester fans, and I’m from the area, so it probably does mean a little bit more to me because I’ve lived it and breathed it for more than half my life.”

“When bad times come, it probably hits me harder, but when the good things happen, I probably enjoy it a bit more.”

“I remember when I was a kid seeing lads break through from the Academy and I think the fans have a little bit of a soft spot for that because they know we’re just normal people from the area. 

I hope they do see the hard work I’ve had to put in throughout the years to get to where I am.”

Dewsbury-Hall, a lifelong Fox, is well aware of the football team’s influence on the neighborhood. “It’s very important,” he asserts. “Since this Club won the Premier League, Leicester is very much a family city now, and we have an excellent group keen to engage with the community.”

“A lot of young people look up to us as role models, so we have to be professional and help the community as much as we can. I think back to when I was a kid and I know that meeting a player would really motivate me and make me the happiest kid in the world.”

“I go and do things back in my hometown and it’s nice to give back because you don’t always realise how much it will mean to people. Little things can make the biggest impact, so as long as you continue to stay humble and grounded, you’re not going to go far wrong.”

In addition to his dedication to engaging with the community, Dewsbury-Hall has made the Leicester supporters happy with his on-field exploits this season.

Since his incredible double on opening day reversed a deficit against Midlands rivals Coventry City, the creative left-footer has become one of the Championship’s top players, delivering game-winning goals and vital assists.

“I’m happy with the way I’ve started the season,” he insists. “There’s still a lot more to come from me, but the fact I’ve been contributing to the team and helping us win games and play well is what I want to do as a player in my position.”

“Moments like that when you score a winner at the King Power, that’s what you live for and want to strive for.”

“I wouldn’t say it’s something I’m necessarily thinking about, but of course, I want to be considered as one of the top players in the division because I believe in my own ability. All I can do is go out on the pitch week in week out and show that.”

“It’s nice to hear people say good things about you but you’re only as good as your last game and you have to keep proving yourself on the pitch, so that’s where my focus is.”

Italian manager Maresca has unlocked his immense potential. Since joining the team from treble-winning Manchester City in June, where he worked as assistant manager under Pep Guardiola for a year, he has quickly established his mark.

“I’ve been mightily impressed with him since he’s come into the Football Club,” Dewsbury-Hall adds. “From day one, he sat us down and said how he wants us to play, his style and what he wants to implement – not just on the pitch, but also the culture of the Club off it as well.”

“He’s so intelligent. He makes you think about football in a different way and there were even times in pre-season where us lads almost felt a bit stupid because he’d say things that we didn’t really see or understand at the time – it all seems so simple now.”

“He’s a very passionate guy and I’m also very passionate about football, so we get along really well. I’ve had chats with him one-on-one about my game and he’s helping to improve me in a lot of different ways.”

“He played at the top level and he’s worked under top managers, so his pedigree is very high and whenever he says something, you make sure to listen. He’s only been here a couple of months, but he’s already made a great impact, so it’s quite exciting to think what he can do in the future.”

Dewsbury-Hall is enjoying his leading role at his boyhood club after gradually coming out of the shadows to take center stage.

He also has all the qualities necessary to manage the pressures of a career in the spotlight, if his early-season performance is any indication.

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