Popov Focused On Development After Maiden PL2 Strike

- Chris Popov contributed to the Leicester City Development Squad’s latest victory
- City overcame Blackburn Rovers Under-23s 4-1 at King Power Stadium on Monday
- The striker’s first Premier League 2 goal for the Club was ‘a great feeling’
- He now aims to kick on and further enhance his learning in the final games

The forward netted on his third successive start for the Under-23s side, planting a free-kick into the corner for City’s second of the evening, before winning the penalty that sealed a 4-1 success at King Power Stadium on Monday.

Terell Pennant, Thanawat Suengchitthawon and Lewis Brunt also added their names to the scoresheet on Filbert Way, keeping Leicester in the hunt for a top-four finish in Premier League 2 Division 1.

“It felt really good to get off the mark,” a delighted Popov expressed to LCFC TV in his post-match interview. “Scoring my first U23s goal, especially with a goal like that. Me, JT (Tawanda Maswanhise) and Sammy [Braybrooke] were speaking about who was going to take it but I back myself.

“I’ve scored a few this season and as soon as I hit it, I was celebrating straight away. You’ll probably be able to see on the clip, I’m already running off because I knew it was going in. It was just a great feeling. I like to practice them most days because practice makes perfect, and it came off today.”

Taking the step up from the Under-18s after scoring 13 goals in 17 U18 Premier League South matches this term, the former Manchester United youngster made a positive impression both on and off the ball, with the Foxes winning all three of the PL2 games he has featured in.

They will quickly set aside the recent successes in order to focus on their next task – facing Liverpool at LCFC Training Ground next Monday (7pm BST kick-off).

The 17-year-old continued: “It’s not bad, but it can always be better. That’s what all the boys think. We’re doing well but we can always do better. All the staff and players are trying to push to get better every day, so we never get too high and never get too low, we always keep going. It was a good performance today and on to next week.

“It’s difficult, in terms of physicality it’s a lot more challenging, but I like to think that I’ve coped well. Giving 100 per cent, for me, that’s a given. I’ll do that every game no matter what.

“I think me doing that brings everyone together to do the same and almost thrive off me as a striker starting off the press or closing someone down. There’s different types of leadership. Just through speaking or sometimes reactions.

“All the staff are really good with me, helping me, telling me what to do and it’s been really good. Every day is a learning day, I want to learn every day and get better.

“With the Under-18s, Adam [Barradell], Kirbs (Steve Kirby), and now the same with the Under-23s, Ben [Petty], Leon [McSweeney], everyone is helping me to get better every day. I’m only thankful for that and try to use all of it to do the best I can.”