A Step Forward In Preparations, Says Bertrand

- Leicester City defeated Villarreal 3-2 in pre-season at King Power Stadium on Wednesday
- Çaglar Söyüncü, Harvey Barnes and Ayoze Pérez were on the scoresheet for the Foxes
- Defender Ryan Bertrand set up City's opening two goals on Filbert Way
- The former Chelsea and Southampton full-back spoke to LCFC TV at full-time

Goals from Çaglar Söyüncü, Harvey Barnes and Ayoze Pérez put the Foxes on course for victory, although an injury to Wesley Fofana in the second half, which saw the France Under-21s international withdraw on a stretcher, was followed by two strikes by Fernando Niño and Álex Millán for the visitors. 

Speaking afterwards, Bertrand, who laid on two assists on his home debut for the Club, reflected on the nature of the performance and Leicester's preparations for the 2021/22 campaign.

"Obviously, everyone's thinking about Wes at the moment, but we will find out more on that [in the near future]," he told LCFC TV. "That took over the occasion. Nobody likes that, but other than that, it was a good performance from the boys before that. We gave a good account of ourselves.

"[We showed a] good fitness, but importantly, we came into the game thinking about, yes, it’s pre-season, but now it's time for results. We managed to do that and unfortunately, what happened happened and then it was a tough game for the change of team.

"They've done very well to come on with the atmosphere and to deal with the game after that. We've all got our targets, what we want to do in our units, defensively, midfield and attacking and I felt it was a real step forward in that tonight. We’re really gelling and [we] clicked really well tonight."

The former Southampton full-back was delighted to play such a prominent role in City's attacking endeavours on the night and offered an insight into his playing relationship which winger Barnes, a prominent feature of an encouraging performance from the home side.

"I'm always happy [to do so]," the 32-year-old added. "I think that's what I want to do. Although I can stay slightly deeper and get the ball ticking over and build up in a three as we do and be the extra man, making a difference in the possession basis, as soon as we’ve got good possession, I want to go.

"I want to get forward and create when I can. I think we (Bertrand and Barnes) understand each other's football a lot. We get on really well off the field also. I analyse his strengths. He loves driving with the ball, coming inside, so it’s for me to adjust to that and help him increase his game also.

"Then, together, we can really benefit the team."

The Foxes are next in action at Wembley Stadium on Saturday as they face Manchester City in the FA Community Shield (5:15pm BST kick-off). Bertrand says their fitness levels are always improving ahead of the traditional curtain-raiser at the national stadium.

"Even though we've had games, we’re working really hard in between," he added. "This game, like I said, we came into it looking for fitness, but with an eye on [the fact] the season’s fast approaching and we'd like some results also.

"Tonight was a good start. Saturday will be even better and then we can roll onto the season. We're very excited as a team. We've been fully focused on this game, to be honest, but now all eyes lead to Wembley on Saturday."