Maresca Braced For 'Aggressive' Blackburn

- Enzo Maresca previews Sunday's visit to Ewood Park to face Blackburn Rovers
- Leicester City will be looking to continue their excellent start to the 2023/24 season
- Maresca praised Jon Dahl Tomasson's men for their work on and off the ball
- He also spoke about Hamza Choudhury's new four-year deal at the Club

The Foxes head to Lancashire to take on a Rovers side who have regularly competed in the Sky Bet Championship's play-off picture over previous seasons. City have won seven of their eight matches and often topped the early standings.

However, with Jon Dahl Tomasson's side next up, Maresca says his research on the Ewood Park outfit is evidence of another tough test this weekend. Blackburn are currently in the second half of the table, but looking to climb it and compete at the top.

"Every time I watch an opponent, to be honest, I always end thinking they are a good team," he said. "It will be a tough game. In some of their games, they have been unlucky and probably deserved some more points. They’re a very good team.

"On the ball, they move a lot. Off the ball, they are very aggressive, they are man to man. It's a good team."

City's fixture schedule is beginning to bite as midweek games are combined with weekend outings. Sunday's visit to Blackburn is Leicester's second trip to the North West five days and comes ahead of a home double-header back at King Power Stadium.

"The only thing I can say is that when you have one entire week to prepare a game it’s always much better because you have more time to prepare different things," Maresca added. "It is what it is and we adapt. We’ll try to use every day to improve."

There was also an opportunity during the Italian's Friday press conference to discuss a new four-year deal for Hamza Choudhury. The Academy graduate committed his future to the Club after returning to the First Team picture following a loan at Watford.

"He deserves it," Maresca explained. "First of all because I’m sure that he’s going to help us this season and also because he has trained very well since day one. He is able to do the kind of job that we’re looking for which, in this moment, Ricardo [Pereira] is doing.

"As a defensive full-back, he is very aggressive on the ball, especially against Liverpool. It was his best game in terms of showing his personality. He wants the ball, he asks for the ball, and I don’t remember any mistakes from him.

"I’m very happy with the way he’s growing and improving."