We Want To Compete, Says Ricardo

- Leicester City will face sides with good structures and players in the Premier League this season, according to Ricardo Pereira
- Brendan Rodgers’ side travel to Chelsea on Sunday (4:30pm BST kick-off)
- Free coverage of the fixture will be available on LCFC Radio from 1:30pm BST

With many Foxes fans optimistic about what Brendan Rodgers’ men can achieve this term, Ricardo has emphasised that City must focus on a game-by-game mentality should they build on last season’s ninth-place finish.

Thrilled to get the 2019/20 campaign underway, the 25-year-old knows there are many talented sides in England’s top flight, but has belief in City’s squad.  

“I’m very happy,” Ricardo said ahead of the game. “We want to play, we want to compete. We don’t want friendly games, which are important to get training for the season, but we want the real thing.

“We know we have a good team, that we have quality in our group with the new players and the players who have come back from loan. I think we can do good things this year, but we have to keep going game after game and see where we can arrive at the end.

“It’s difficult we know, the top six have really good teams, with good players and good structures. We think we have something to say, but there’s a long way to go and we have to go game after game, but we can do something.”

Ricardo completed 90 minutes at right-back last weekend, as Rodgers’ side were held by Wolverhampton Wanderers at King Power Stadium.

He said: “Of course, we always have lessons to learn from games, even when we win. I think we had a good game, but we didn’t win.

“We didn’t create a lot of chances and I think it’s that we have to improve and keep pressing, keep the ball for longer periods of time and that’s the most important.”

City’s victory against Chelsea last December saw them record a win at Stamford Bridge for the first time in 18 years, but Ricardo believes his side will face an even bigger challenge this time around.

While the London outfit were beaten by Manchester United at Old Trafford and lost to Liverpool on penalties in the UEFA Super Cup, they will be positive ahead of Frank Lampard’s return to Stamford Bridge.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” added the Portuguese. “They’ve put in good performances, even though they haven’t won the games they’ve had.

“They’re playing their first game at home, so it will be very difficult, more difficult than last year, but we have a word to say and we will do our best to take our chances.  

“I think it’s good for our mental side, because we know we won last year, but we also know that it will be very difficult. Maybe even harder than last season, but we have to do our best. Let’s see.”