Ewing: It’s A Positive Group
- Leicester City's Development Squad return to Premier League 2 Division 1 action on Sunday
- Midfielder Oliver Ewing speaks to LCFC TV ahead of the new season
- The Foxes youngster has made the step up from the Under-18s into the Under-23s set-up
- The facilities on offer at LCFC Training Ground are aiding the group's preparations, he believes
City’s youngsters travel to tackle Manchester United Under-23s in the Premier League 2 opener at Leigh Sports Village on Sunday afternoon (2pm kick-off) and Ewing believes a good atmosphere has been created since returning over the summer months.
Despite taking all three points from this encounter on matchday one last term, thanks to goals from Ali Reghba and Mitch Clark, he knows it will be a tough test to start the campaign against the Red Devils.
“I think we’re all pushing each other this season, the Wales Under-18s international told LCFC TV. “We’ve had a really good pre-season together. There’s a special bond within the group and I think we can do really well this season. Everyone’s really positive. Obviously, it’s not going to be an easy game.
“United, you know what they will be about, but everyone’s really confident, looking to go there and get a win, nothing less, so it should be a really good game.
“I was in the Under-18s last season and made the step up. It’s just that next level, the Under-23s, so I’m coming in to build on that this season. There are just slight details that you don’t get at Under-18s.
“The physicality, the intensity, the sharpness, you realise what you need to work on and it helps you just being in there every day... the environment, the hunger, because you’re only one step away from the first team. I think that helps as well. Just to push yourself every day.”
The Development Squad are enjoying their first pre-season at the impressive LCFC Training Ground in Seagrave and being able to work in close proximity to the first team on a daily basis is providing extra motivation for Ewing and his team-mates.
“It’s amazing here,” the midfielder continued. “The facilities, they are just next level, so it’s really great to be here. It’s a bit surreal really when you just drive up and park and then you can see all this. It is just immaculate.
“Especially because everything is so close here. In terms of the first team, we train opposite them so we can see them train. You realise how close you are, so it just makes you keep reminding yourself that it’s not far away.
“We’ve seen boys that have gone and made that step, so it just helps remind you that you’ve got to keep pushing because the opportunities will hopefully come. Sometimes with clubs, you don’t see that. So it’s really lucky to get those examples and that it does happen if you put the work in.”
The 18-year-old played nine times in Premier League U18 last season, scoring once and registering two assists, while also featuring in three of City’s FA Youth Cup fixtures, adding his name to the scoresheet against Liverpool.
Ewing made a breakthrough into the Development Squad during 2020/21, making six appearances in Premier League 2 Division 1 and has now joined up with the Under-23s squad ahead of the new campaign.
“I signed in 2019 from Fulham,” he added, explaining his career path. “I was there for about three years. Leicester was the one that stood out and I think I’ve made the right choice; it’s been really good the two years I’ve been here so far.
“I’m a no.8 centre midfielder, I can play deep, I can play a bit higher, but I prefer that sort of transition in-between. I can carry the ball, I like to think I am quite good technically, so I can pass the ball about. I can do the defensive work as well, I’m quite an all-round midfielder.
“This is my first year at Under-23s, so I’d like to be a key member of that squad, starting every game and just build off that if I’m doing well and I’m working hard. Those are my main targets for this season. Hopefully, as long as I stay injury free, they can come.”
All times BST.