A Big Opportunity For Barnes

- Harvey Barnes says spending pre-season with Claude Puel’s men will be highly beneficial
- Barnes made his Premier League debut under Puel last season
- The young midfielder says spending downtime with his team-mates has been enjoyable this trip  

Barnes, 20, featured against Southampton, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur towards the tail end of the 2017/18 campaign and is again hoping to impress during the new term.

He believes a positive showing in pre-season with the Foxes will be key if he is to again catch the eye of manager Claude Puel.

“It’s been different to previous years,” said the Academy graduate. “We were on the bikes early doors, which was a tough session, and that’s new for us.

“Then, the morning session was another physical session with running and core work. This afternoon, we’ve been out with the balls, which was probably the more enjoyable session. It’s been a good first day.

“It’s been tough and all of the boys are feeling it. They’re all tired and from the bike especially there’s a few sore bums and a few sore legs.”

Barnes is one of a number of City youngsters out in France with the first team – an opportunity he and several other Academy stars are hoping to seize.  

He continued: “I think it’s a great opportunity for all of the young lads out there to show the manager the little bits that you’ve got in your game and leave him with a good taste in his mouth going into the new season and pre-season as well.

“It would be nice to get involved in a few of the pre-season friendlies and show him what you can do there as well.”

Another major part of pre-season is downtime – a period in which the Foxes often group together, says Barnes.  

“There’s a few little table tennis games going on and the PlayStation is out,” he added. “The Love Island crew is out every night all gathering round the sofas, so it’s been good.

“All of the lads are getting together and having a laugh so it’s been good.”