I'm not sure Thomas thinks it's a backward step in lifestyle or career. He played well the other night and was certainly offor pace or out of his depth.
Money isn’t everything in a footballer’s life. Career development is obviously the priority at someone his age. I’m happy he made his debut for Wales, and that’ll probably justify his move (to himself) because I doubt he’d have been selected had he scored 20-25 goals in L2 with us.
This said, what’s next for Thomas’ career? He’s evidently nowhere near breaking into the Leicester senior team, so his only alternative to more U23 football is a loan move. Atm, the most likely that loan destination will be L1, or a lower Championship side. In essence, his career would’ve gone from L1, backwards to Development leagues, back to L1 and all he has to show for it is a senior cap in friendly for Wales. He won’t get another opportunity in a competitive fixture if he’s not getting first team football.
To go from consistent first team football, back to development football at 20 going on 21, is undoubtedly a step backwards. Had he signed for even a L1 club and showed similar form to the tail end of 16/17 season, he’d have top end Championship teams sniffing around him. Instead, L1 is the likely destination... where he started. Top coaches at Leicester would help him out, but nothing beats 1st team football — that is true in any sport, anywhere.
Even Barrett was smashing it for Reading U23s, in fact, one of the most productive in his league, did absolutely nothing for us.
Making a move for money at his age is pretty dumb, because if he really is the real deal, he’d earn more money than sitting in a development team.