Leicester City is intensifying its preparations for the new Premier League season with a week-long training camp in France.
The squad will travel to Evian-les-Bains on Lake Geneva’s shores on Monday. This trip is aimed at enhancing players’ fitness while allowing new manager Steve Cooper to closely evaluate his team as he formulates plans for the upcoming season.
This resort, situated on the France-Switzerland border, has been a regular pre-season destination for the club, with Brendan Rodgers having taken the squad there two years ago. Over the week, City will engage in training exercises and finish with practice matches against other teams in the region, including La Liga’s Villarreal.
The selection of players heading to Evian will provide insights into Cooper’s plans, especially regarding young talent. In the initial week of pre-season, players like Will Alves, Sammy Braybrooke, Logan Briggs, and Silko Thomas joined the senior team, hoping to make a lasting impression.
Cooper’s squad is rapidly expanding. Twenty-four players began senior training last Monday, with recent additions including Caleb Okoli from Atalanta, Wilfred Ndidi rejoining after signing a new contract, and midfielder Brandon Cover being promoted from the development squad.
Cover, who debuted in last season’s FA Cup victory over Birmingham and played consistently in Premier League 2 for the Under-21s, is known for his role as a deep-lying midfielder. He often played a hybrid role similar to Ricardo Pereira, transitioning from full-back to central midfield during possession.
With Abdul Fatawu’s confirmation pending and five internationals – Mads Hermansen, Jannik Vestergaard, Wout Faes, Victor Kristiansen, and Bobby De Cordova-Reid – yet to join, Cooper’s roster will swell to 33 players. He will need to streamline the squad to accommodate new signings, particularly in attacking midfield.
For new signings like Okoli and Michael Golding, the trip is also an opportunity to build camaraderie with teammates. Defender Conor Coady emphasized the value of this trip, noting the challenges and importance of a rigorous pre-season. He shared his enthusiasm, stating, “Evian presents its challenges due to the intensity of pre-season, but it’s an essential part of our preparation, and I look forward to it every year.”
