‘We Need To Play Our Game’ – Pérez’s Pre-Everton Thoughts

- Leicester City’s next Premier League assignment is at Goodison Park
- The Foxes travel to meet Everton on Wednesday night (7:45pm BST kick-off)
- City must put the weekend’s disappointment behind them according to Ayoze Pérez
- The forward is enjoying his run in the side and hopes to contribute more this week

Three days on from a 2-1 reverse at Newcastle United, which ended an impressive five-game unbeaten run across all competitions, Brendan Rodgers’ men are back on the road, returning to Premier League action on Merseyside.

Aware of the threats Everton pose as they look to move away from the bottom three, Pérez expects to play in front of another intimidating atmosphere, but is more focused on how City can reach their own objectives and targets.

Leicester remain ninth in the top-flight standings, on 40 points, but with games in hand on teams immediately ahead, there’s still plenty to play for despite falling to defeat last time out. They're also in the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa Conference League, where they will face Roma. 

The forward told LCFC TV ahead of the Toffees fixture: “The good thing is that we’ve got another game away from home where we can turn things around after the defeat against Newcastle. I think we deserved way more than what we got, but it’s a good chance to go again and try to play our best.

“Obviously it’s the Premier League, every game is tough, and every team is playing for their own targets. We need to make sure that we are at it on Wednesday, and we need to make sure we start picking up points and wins and we keep climbing the table and finish as good as possible.

“It’s going to be important. They are fighting for relegation, so that means it’s not going to be easy there, they are going to be pushing. We need to make sure we are aware of that, we are ready.

“We'll work on what they can bring us and, from that, we just need to play our game and do our game plan. Sometimes you might not play your best game, but at the end of the day, what’s more important is if you are able to pick up points in those situations.”

City’s unrelenting schedule means there’s little recovery and preparation time following Sunday’s last-gasp loss in the North East, as the games keep coming thick and fast, both domestically and in Europe. It’s a scenario the squad have become accustomed to facing, however.  

“It’s very busy, we are aware of that,” Pérez continued. “But we’ve got to enjoy the situation. There are many games at the end of the season, there can be a bit of tiredness, but no excuses at all. We’ve just got to give a bit more, that last push in the final couple of weeks to finish the season on a high and try to hit our targets.

“It’s always good to spend time with team-mates, in training, games, we’re spending a lot of time with each other. Sometimes you can feel a bit tired with so many trips but it’s football and, when you step onto the pitch, you need to be hungry, and you know what badge you are fighting for, so that’s the main thing and that’s what we focus on.”

After playing a starring role from the bench in Leicester City’s historic UECL success at PSV Eindhoven, setting up James Maddison’s equaliser, the Spaniard was handed a start at St. James’ Park last weekend, contributing another assist on his first Premier League appearance since January.

The 28-year-old added: “I’ve missed this feeling of playing quite regularly and I am trying to enjoy myself and trying to play my best, pick up the fitness as well with games and so we’ll definitely enjoy it.

“To be involved and try to help my team-mates either assisting or scoring, it’s always a good feeling so hopefully there’s more to come.”