Fofana: Hoping To Improve Even Further

- Wesley Fofana speaks at LCFC Training Ground as pre-season training continues
- The Leicester City defender is preparing for his first full season as a Fox
- Players new and old are working hard to be ready for the upcoming season, Fofana says
- The young Frenchman also discusses the arrival of international team-mate Boubakary Soumaré

Fofana, who joined the Foxes from Saint-Étienne in October 2020, enjoyed a hugely impressive maiden campaign in England last term, making 38 appearances in all competitions and helping Brendan Rodgers' men lift the Emirates FA Cup for the first time.

Now, though, all focus is on ensuring the upcoming season brings more memorable moments as City prepare for their eighth successive Premier League campaign, back-to-back forays in the UEFA Europa League, a defence of their FA Cup crown and aim to go on a positive run in the Carabao Cup. 

Along with his team-mates, the France Under-21s centre-back has been hard at work in Seagrave as the Club's sports science and medical teams put the players through their paces ahead of Saturday's opening pre-season friendly against Burton Albion at Pirelli Stadium (3pm BST kick-off).

"It’s going well," the 20-year-old told LCFC TV. "It’s like when I arrived last season, everyone has been very welcoming, everyone is happy being back and happy to see one another. We’re working hard. The first two weeks are always tough, but we’re working hard and it’s going well.

"I’ve missed it, I think everyone has. It’s a month of holidays without your team-mates, so it’s nice to get back together and we’re all really happy to be back out on the pitch."

Pre-season began with testing in the gymnasium and the King Power Centre last week but has gradually included more ball work on the training pitches behind the Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Building over recent days. Fofana, meanwhile, picked up an injury on the last day of the 2020/21 season.

However, he says his recovery is going well: "I think everyone is tired as there’s a lot of running! But we are all happy to be back – we have some new players who’ve joined us, so everyone is happy. It’s a great feeling.

"I’m feeling good. I finished last season with an injury, but now I’ve recovered. I worked hard with the physios over the break to get better and now I’m back training with the group; I feel good."

Fofana's performances last season earned the Marseille-born defender many plaudits. He credits his team-mates for helping him settle in and says he hopes to replicate that form again in 2021/22. City's No.3 also provided an insight into the message provided by manager Rodgers upon the squad's return.

"I think I adapted quite quickly, as my game suits the way football is played in England," he added. "My team-mates and the Club have also helped to settle me in. It’s gone well, and I hope to do even better next season. 

"[Rodgers is] happy to have us all back together. He says we need to be mentally prepared as it’s a long season ahead, and we have European football to look forward to again. We have objectives we want to achieve, so we need to work, work, work to achieve what we want to."

A year after his arrival, Fofana has turned from new recruit to a figure in the camp who is now helping others settle after the signings of Patson Daka, Boubakary Soumaré and Ryan Bertrand. Soumaré in particular, an old friend of Fofana's, has benefitted from his international team-mate's welcome.

"It's going very well, they’ve settled in straightaway," Fofana continued. "I knew Bouba from before which has helped him. Everyone seems happy, you can see. We need to make sure they feel comfortable, because they’re part of the team now and we are all together - and the weather is beautiful!"