Maddison: City To Face 'Quality' Side In Season Opener

- James Maddison highlights Wolverhampton Wanderers’ ability, with Leicester City facing them in the opening day of 2019/20
- Maddison is also excited to make a return to Carrow Road to face former club Norwich City
- In 2018/19, the Foxes No.10 scored seven goals and assisted a further seven

Following Thursday’s fixture release day, the Foxes learned they will host Nuno Espírito Santo’s outfit at King Power Stadium on Saturday 10 August.

City faced Wolves on three occasions last season, first winning 2-0, then beating them in a penalty shootout before losing 4-3 at Molineux Stadium in January.

Maddison, who featured in both Premier League encounters and scored his first goal for the Club against the West Midlands outfit, knows they will field a talented squad for the 2019/20 curtain-raiser.

Maddison said: “I was absolutely buzzing for the fixtures to come out 12 months ago with it being my debut season in the Premier League, and if I’m being honest, I was even more excited this time around!

“I was up early waiting for the games to be confirmed and was messaging a few of the other lads to see who they thought we’d get first.

“We obviously know a lot about Wolves having played them in the league and cup last season, so we’ll expect a difficult game because they have a lot of quality players in their squad.”

Maddison made his Premier League debut at Old Trafford against Manchester United during the first game of 2018/19, and after slender 2-1 defeat, the City No.10 wants to start the new campaign with three points.

He continued: “Everybody wants to start the new season with three points, and we’ll be looking to do the same after narrowly losing out on the opening day last year.”

“Winning your first game is always a nice feeling because it gives you a solid platform to build on and an opportunity to gain momentum early in the season.

“I know the fans can’t wait for the new campaign to begin and as a group of players we’re all really excited for the year ahead and what we can achieve together.”

Maddison also picked out the fixture against Norwich City at Carrow Road in February as another game he’s excited to contest having made the move from King Power Stadium from the Canaries last summer.

He said: “With Norwich promoted to the Premier League I’m obviously looking forward to playing against them and returning to Carrow Road where the fans have always been great with me.

“I’m still in touch with most of the lads there so it’ll be good to come up against them and I’m sure they’ll do well this season.”

Maddison’s seven assists in 2018/19 – the most of any City player – and seven goals, including three free-kicks, saw him deliver a healthy return during his first season as a Fox.

He featured in all but two of Leicester’s top-flight matches and is now targeting another positive campaign at King Power Stadium.

“To be involved in almost every Premier League game last season was brilliant for my development, and overall I was happy with how things went,” added Maddison.

“To score seven goals and bag seven assists in my debut campaign was pleasing and I now want to build on those numbers by working hard in pre-season.”