James Justin: Rodgers, Positions & 2020/21 Targets

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James Justin: Rodgers, Positions & 2020/21 Targets

After four Premier League fixtures, Leicester City sit third in the division, thanks in part to the dynamic performances of defender James Justin.

2020-10-08T07:45:00.000Z

by Richard Mellor

Published

08 Oct, 2020

James Justin: Rodgers, Positions & 2020/21 Targets

After four Premier League fixtures, Leicester City sit third in the division, thanks in part to the dynamic performances of defender James Justin.

Richard Mellor

2020-10-08T07:45:00.000Z

James Justin: Rodgers, Positions & 2020/21 Targets

After four Premier League fixtures, Leicester City sit third in the division, thanks in part to the dynamic performances of defender James Justin.

Richard Mellor

2020-10-08T07:45:00.000Z

James Justin: Rodgers, Positions & 2020/21 Targets

After four Premier League fixtures, Leicester City sit third in the division, thanks in part to the dynamic performances of defender James Justin.

Richard Mellor

2020-10-08T07:45:00.000Z

James Justin: Rodgers, Positions & 2020/21 Targets

After four Premier League fixtures, Leicester City sit third in the division, thanks in part to the dynamic performances of defender James Justin.

Richard Mellor

2020-10-08T07:45:00.000Z

The noun ‘defender’ is used because it’s difficult to categorise City’s No.2 – who arrived at King Power Stadium in 2019 from boyhood club Luton Town – in a specific position.

Naturally, he is a right-footed full-back, but after the signing of Belgium international Timothy Castagne from Atalanta this summer, Justin has moved to the left-hand side of the Foxes defence.

Whether it be in a back three, four or five, Justin’s performances have seen him show a versatility that is highly valued by the Football Club, not least manager Brendan Rodgers, who has a reputation for developing young players at the top level.

“It’s something that I was looking for as I was leaving Luton,” Justin said in a recent interview at Belvoir Drive. “The manager and the squad that we have here is relatively young.

“It’s got its mix of older players that can help you along the way, but I felt it was an up-and-coming club, as you saw last season.”

Continuing his progression under Rodgers was a significant factor in his decision to join the Foxes, who he has now made 21 appearances for in all competitions.

He has scored twice for City, once on his debut against former side Luton last term, before he opened his Premier League account in the 4-2 victory over Burnley last month.

“It’s definitely a big thing for me,” he said of working with the Northern Irishman. “I sat down with him and talked to him about what he wanted at the Club, and then how I can improve as a player also.

“It drew me towards him and definitely you see the likes of the players that he’s brought through in the past and developed, it was definitely a big thing in me joining.

“The work they do around the training ground, and the extras after the session that he does with me, he just keeps giving me these little tips and they make a world of difference.”

It is that additional work, away from the main training sessions, that has seen Justin’s adaptability shine through in 2020/21 at both club and international level.

The Luton-born 22-year-old, who is currently away on international duty with England Under-21s, is looking to continue that progression in 2020/21.

“We didn’t start off too great [against West Bromwich Albion] and we kept on fighting, and that’s something that the manager wants of us and it’s something we did," he added. “We’ve had our goals meeting, we’re looking to improve on last season, obviously, in any way, shape or form.

“Hopefully, we can be fighting at the right end of the table this season and hopefully people will be watching to see what me and the team can do. If I keep putting in performances, who knows what can happen?

“For me, personally, it’s about getting that consistency in my game, and nail down the position, I guess, and just be the first name on the teamsheet here at Leicester. Hopefully, I can prove to everyone that I’m one of the best players.”

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