'I Always Try To Give My Best' – Mendy Speaks Inside Sunday's Programme

- Leicester City host Brentford in the Premier League on Sunday (2pm GMT kick-off)
- Midfielder Papy Mendy caught up with CITY Matchday Magazine before that encounter
- The Senegal international reacted to the role he played in his country's AFCON glory
- He also provided a preview of Sunday's fixture against Thomas Frank's side

The Foxes entertain the Bees on Filbert Way three days after securing safe passage into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League with a two-legged win over Rennes. Mendy, who has recently returned to the Club's Premier League squad, is excited by the challenge Brentford will pose.

"It will be a tough game," the Senegal international told CITY Matchday Magazine. "After our last result in the Premier League, the defeat to Arsenal, we want to have a good response to get three points before the international break. Brentford are a good team and they play good football.

"The game we played against them earlier in the season was difficult, so we’re expecting the same again at home. We play in front of the Leicester City fans so we’ll be doing everything to get a good result."

Mendy, 29, is hoping to make his mark for the Foxes now he is back in contention. However, he says little has really changed, as he has always given 100 per cent for the cause.

"To be honest, nothing has changed in my mind," he explained. "Comparing now to earlier in the season, everything is the same. I always try to give my best and work hard, no matter what the circumstances are. If I play or I don’t play, that doesn’t change.

"I always try to stay focused so that if the manager needs me, I’m there to give my best. That is my mentality."

It's been a whirlwind start to 2022 for Leicester's No.24 after being one of the key players for Senegal as they lifted their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations prize. It is a moment which will live long in the memory for Mendy.

"I’m very, very proud," the former Nice midfielder said. "We won the first AFCON title of our history, so it’s a dream come true. For the whole country, it was an amazing tournament with so many great moments, and I’m very proud that I was able to play a part. I’ll never forget this title. The reaction was unbelievable.

"I have no words to explain what I experienced. It was so great. In all of my life, I’ll never forget it. We’ve won AFCON now, but the people, our fans, they will want more. We have to look forward and keep progressing.

"Soon we will have qualification games for the World Cup, so we have to turn our minds to that and focus on the next challenge."