Cifuentes Wants To ‘Keep This Energy Going’ On New Year’s Day

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Cifuentes Wants To ‘Keep This Energy Going’ On New Year’s Day

The New Year brings new challenges but with the same goal in mind, as Martí Cifuentes previews our upcoming test against Sheffield United.

2026-01-01T09:00+00:00

by Matthew Temple

Published

01 Jan, 2026

Cifuentes Wants To ‘Keep This Energy Going’ On New Year’s Day

The New Year brings new challenges but with the same goal in mind, as Martí Cifuentes previews our upcoming test against Sheffield United.

Matthew Temple

2026-01-01T09:00+00:00

Cifuentes Wants To ‘Keep This Energy Going’ On New Year’s Day

The New Year brings new challenges but with the same goal in mind, as Martí Cifuentes previews our upcoming test against Sheffield United.

Matthew Temple

2026-01-01T09:00+00:00

Cifuentes Wants To ‘Keep This Energy Going’ On New Year’s Day

The New Year brings new challenges but with the same goal in mind, as Martí Cifuentes previews our upcoming test against Sheffield United.

Matthew Temple

2026-01-01T09:00+00:00

Cifuentes Wants To ‘Keep This Energy Going’ On New Year’s Day

The New Year brings new challenges but with the same goal in mind, as Martí Cifuentes previews our upcoming test against Sheffield United.

Matthew Temple

2026-01-01T09:00+00:00

Leicester City face Sheffield United on New Year’s Day
The action kicks off at 5:30pm GMT at Bramall Lane
We head into the fixture just three days after a 2-1 win over Derby County
City's Manager previewed the game and he wants to keep this momentum going

We ended December on a high on Monday night, when a Jordan James strike just before the break was enough to see off Derby County with a 2-1 scoreline at King Power Stadium.

A seventh goal of the Sky Bet Championship for James, sealing a ninth win of the campaign for the Foxes, has brought back good spirits within the camp, following consecutive losses to QPR and Watford over Christmas, and the Manager is keen to maintain this energy heading into 2026.

“We’re feeling good,” Cifuentes told the media following Monday’s result. “It’s a big turnaround, but I’ve told the guys to enjoy this winning feeling because it’s important that we celebrate it but then nine o’clock tomorrow, we’re in to recover and go again.

Jordan James scored the winner on Monday night.

“We need to do the right things and try to make sure we’re in the best condition for the next game because it’s a new challenge we need to be ready for.”

Silko Thomas, Louis Page and Jeremy Monga all ended the game against the Rams, and together with those Academy graduates already in the starting XI, the Leicester team was flooded with our own developed talent.

Delighted with how they performed, and how they helped the team to victory, Cifuentes was keen to say that more chances will come for young players, at the right times.

“The young players came in and did well,” the 43-year-old continued. “But not just because of injuries (in the squad) but because they have talent, and they need to know they will have options and if they work hard, they will get chances.

Louis Page was one of the Academy graduates involved against Derby County.

“It wasn’t easy, because when they come in there’s a lot of pressure in the moment, because of how the last week has gone but I think they copped really well and it’s an important experience for all of them and they brought a lot of energy to the team.”

Discussing the next challenge, when we travel to face Chris Wilder's side on New Year’s Day, the Spaniard explained how he is determined to right the wrongs from the reverse fixture, when the Blades came out on top on Filbert Way.

Cifuentes added: “For me, the previous game against them (Sheffield United) gives me more hunger and more energy to face this game.

“The lads have shown the right mentality and effort needed to win games in this league and we need to keep this going on New Year’s Day.”

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