Shakespeare Applauds ‘Excellent’ Foxes
- Craig Shakespeare was pleased with the positivity his Leicester City side showed during their pre-season trip to Austria
- The Foxes manager believes his side are well prepared for next week’s Premier League Asia Trophy fixture against West Bromwich Albion in Hong Kong
- New signings Harry Maguire and Vicente Iborra have settled in well, says Shakespeare
Spending six days in the south of the country, the Foxes faced a varied climate – temperatures ranged from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius, while heavy rain replaced intense heat later in the week.
The Club’s stars completed a total of eight training sessions throughout the stay, before flying back to England on Friday.
For Shakespeare, it was a highly beneficial trip and one that brought out the best in his players, with togetherness, competitiveness and commitment all on show in Velden.
Reflecting on his side’s application, Shakespeare told LCFC TV: “When you come to the evening session, sometimes there’s a bit of a lull, but to be fair to them, as I said, they’ve been excellent.
“I don’t expect anything different from the group and with most footballers. Football is about a competitive game and I think, when you’re doing a technical session, it is unopposed but most of the time in football it is opposed.
“It’s been very positive and thankfully the pitches have stood up which was important as well so the pitches have been good. I encourage it to be competitive.”
City’s pre-season campaign continues next week, as they take part in the Premier League Asia Trophy for the first time. Shakespeare’s men begin with a clash against West Bromwich Albion, before taking on either Liverpool or Crystal Palace.
Iborra Enjoying Pre-Season
Vicente Iborra talks about a positive week in Austria, as well as how his team mates have helped him settle in.
The Foxes boss continued: “We have a quick turnaround (for Hong Kong) so we have to make sure we get enough rest but it’s still pre-season and we go again.
“The quality of games will be a new experience. I always say, when you’re going somewhere new, try and embrace it.
“We’ve not been to Hong Kong and it gives us a chance to play against good quality opposition so you can’t have 90 per cent of the ball because that won’t happen. But it’ll be another new experience for us.
“I have seen from previous Asia Trophies that it can been very stormy. We’re in the lap of the gods with that but we’ve got the structure to the training, we know when the games are, it’s all monitored and all structured. The other bits that come, we’ll have to take when they do.”
The stay in Austria has been valuable for every member of the squad, not least summer recruits Vicente Iborra and Harry Maguire, says Shakespeare.
“I think the whole group have made them welcome. I’m very pleased with the way they have settled in,” added Shakespeare. “They look, which is pleasing from my point of view, as part of the group already. You’ve not got to worry too much about them.
“Leo Ulloa has been a very good port of call for Vicente [Iborra] because obviously he speaks Spanish. Vicente’s English is okay and he will get better, I think he’s going to be a quick learner from watching him on the pitch.
“Harry knew a few of the boys but not great but looking at him now, you wouldn’t know he wasn’t one of our lads from last season.”
Reflect on Leicester City’s pre-season campaign so far by clicking here.