Town chief insists Luton's academy can be 'proud' as trio feature at Chelsea

Hatters boss Jack Wilshere felt that the club’s academy could be extremely ‘proud’ of themselves after three academy graduates took to the field against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup second round on Thursday night.

Flying winger Benny Benagr, who is starting what could well be a breakthrough season for the teenager, began in the left wingback role, putting in a performance beyond his years when going up against the likes of Malo Gusto and Estevao, as he didn’t ever look out of place throughout his 60 minutes on the field, causing a real threat on the rare opportunities he could break forward.

Further behind him was Joe Johnson, who is slightly more experienced, having made his debut back in April 2023 and was making his 37th appearance for the club, while on the hour mark, fellow teenager Harry Fox was brought on for just his fourth senior outing as well, easily the biggest occasion of both his and Benagr’s short time in orange so far.

The trio all acquitted themselves brilliantly, with Johnson in particular deserving real credit, as having not featured in a first team game this term, started as part of a back three with Hakeem Odoffin and George Johnston, he helped keep out a Blues side containing attacking threats such as £117m summer signing Morgan Rogers and England international Cole Palmer for lengthy periods, only breached after the break when Danny Welbeck escaped to head home an inch-perfect delivery.

An unfortunate own goal by Odoffin sealed the win for Xabi Alonso’s side, but speaking about the performance of Johnson and Fox in particular, Wilshere said: “Credit to them, credit to JJ. When I talk about being hard to leave players out, he is one of them. Sometimes he deserves to play, so it’s frustrating for him at times. He was on the bench on Saturday (against Notts County), but the week before, he was out of the squad.

"I’ve said it so many times, they’re probably bored of me saying it, but it can happen that you’re out of the squad and then you play the next week, so when you do get your opportunity, you have to show what JJ did and have to train every day properly to make sure you can do that. Foxy came on and Foxy is someone that we like.

"He’s got a lot of developing to do, we’ll see what that looks like for him, but he can be proud. I think the academy can be proud, with him Benny, JJ, all these players that have come through. It’s not, it’s a cup game, they’re going to play, they deserve to play and they took their opportunity so credit to them.”

For the first time in a good while it feels like Luton have some genuine talent coming through the ranks, as defender Christian Chigozie was on the bench at Stamford Bridge, while U18s striker Dawid Gawel is highly thought of by the Hatters coaching staff, as is Jayden Luker, who was handed his senior debut on the opening game of the campaign at Gillingham, setting up Nahki Wells for the opening goal, although sadly suffered a hamstring injury that has kept him out since.

With several having been involved in pre-season, including Cyprus U21 international Zach Ioannides, then skipper Kal Naismith insists they need to go away and keep putting the work on to make sure they’re ready if called upon, adding: “It’s credit to them, everyone who trained with us pre-season, there’s always, three, four, five who come and train with us and I think four came away with us on the trip (to Spain).

"I’ve been at other clubs where the quality will drop off a bit and it can be frustrating with some of the young lads, but everyone of them added to it. They were excellent, they were amazing pre-season and it’s a hard moment for them when they’ve been with the first team for seven, eight weeks, training every day and then they drop back a bit and can get frustrated.

"But I spoke to them all, young Chigsy, Foxy, don’t get disheartened, this is part of the process. Yyou were amazing, you’ve had a taste, go away, keep your standards so high with the 21s, don’t let them fall back. Everything you’ve learned with us, use it there and then the chance will come and you’ll be ready.”