- Papy Mendy says Leicester City must ‘stay focused’ to improve their fitness during their 2020/21 pre-season campaign
- The midfielder played 45 minutes in Wednesday’s 2-0 friendly win away to Birmingham City
- Mendy this week signed a new three-year deal with the Foxes
City ran out 2-0 winners against Birmingham City at Wast Hills following second-half efforts from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Marc Albrighton.
It could have been more, too, if Admiral Muskwe hadn’t seen his penalty saved by Zach Jeacock, who earlier denied Harvey Barnes and Demarai Gray.
“It’s nice to be back on the pitch,” Mendy told LCFC TV. “It was a good game against a team that started one week just before us, and yes, we played well, [with] a good sensation. We scored two goals, that's good.
“The training is a big difference. We trained more, sometimes two sessions a day. It's a lot. We have to stay focused to get a good fitness.”
Mendy’s first match of pre-season came two days after he signed a new three-year deal that will see him ply his trade at King Power Stadium until at least 2023.
“I'm very grateful to be here, to be part of this project, to [remain] with this club,” Mendy said. “I'm very happy. It’s a project. Three years is not nothing. The manager wants me to stay here, for Europe, and I’m very, very happy.”
Against the Blues, meanwhile, Mendy played in the centre of a midfield three during the first half, and performed well alongside youngster Sidnei Tavares and Belgium international Youri Tielemans.
He added: “I always play like that, in France the same. With my team in Nice, I played a similar system and yes, I am comfortable. I know the system, I know my place, and I enjoy [it].”