Mendy: What The Manager Wants Is Clear
- Papy Mendy says he will always give his all on the pitch for Leicester City
- The midfielder spoke of his side’s ability to translate Brendan Rodgers’ tactics onto the pitch
- Mendy has been helping fellow Frenchman Wesley Fofana settle at the Football Club
- He was speaking ahead of City’s home encounter with SC Braga in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday (8pm GMT kick-off)
City have won every away fixture they have contested this season, recently beating Leeds United 4-1 in the Premier League, with Mendy playing from start to finish at Elland Road.
The French midfielder has been exceptional for the Foxes in recent games, and he says that can be put down to the application of his side’s tactics.
When asked about the absence of fellow defensive midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and with it his own increased involvement, he said: “Personally, nothing changed for me because I give always my best when I'm on the pitch.
"Of course, Wilf is not with us at the moment but we know we have to play without him. We know he's an important player for the Club and the team.
“We have a lot of options and the manager can put me or, for example, Hamza Choudhury [in]. Yes, everyone can perform and that's good for the team. I hope we continue it.
“What the manager wants is very clear. When he puts sessions on, we work a lot in the training and after it is very easy to translate on the pitch at the weekend.
“At the moment, we have had good results, what he has put on the team is very good. Now we have to keep going.”
Mendy and Leicester’s next challenge comes on Thursday evening when they welcome SC Braga to Filbert Way for a UEFA Europa League showdown between two outfits that are yet to taste defeat in Group G.
The City No.24 will aim to make his 10th appearance of the season in all competitions, while fellow Frenchman Wesley Fofana, during his debut campaign at the Football Club, could also feature for the Foxes.
Fofana has played in both of City’s Europa League fixtures to date, also starring in the Premier League wins away to Arsenal and Leeds, and Mendy provided some insight into how the young defender has settled into the team.
“I try to help him as much as possible,” added Mendy. “He is only 19 and when you play on the pitch he is like an experienced player.
“He has a good adaptation in the Premier League. He is a very ambitious player and wants to learn and that's good for him. This is why we need him in the team.”
Another man key to how City have performed in 2020/21 so far is striker Jamie Vardy, who, according to Mendy, has the leadership skills to match his emphatic goalscoring exploits.
“Jamie, what a player,” said Mendy. “He's fantastic. We are lucky because we can play with him and we can see how he can perform in front of goal every day.
“He helps the Club a lot and gives a lot of energy to every player, and has good leadership.”