An Exciting Time, Says Mavididi

- Stephy Mavididi reflects on Leicester City's 2-1 win at Shrewsbury Town
- The Foxes winger was on the scoresheet for the visitors
- He explains the excitement in the group under new Manager Steve Cooper

Tackling EFL League 1 opposition was on the agenda for the Foxes at The Croud Meadow and Mavididi was the opening goalscorer, seeing a deflected free-kick put his side in front.

Although Caleb Okoli's unfortunate own goal levelled matters briefly in Shropshire, Kasey McAteer's delicate lob restored the lead for City, who emerged as winners for the second time in pre-season.

Working under new Manager Steve Cooper has brought excitement in the squad, Mavididi says, as the winger also elaborated on his more elevated position for the clash with the Shrews.

"Pre-season’s all about getting your legs going and your lungs," Leicester's No.10 said. "That’s the most important thing. Obviously it’s nice to get the goals as well. It was a different outfit to Villarreal. It was a good game, a physical game, and tonight I got 60 minutes.

"I’m getting a bit of stick in the changing room [for the goal], everyone’s saying it was a deflection, but it’s a skill!"

On playing a different role, he added: "I enjoyed it. It’s something new for me. I enjoyed getting on the ball, linking up with the midfield and trying to start attacks. It was good, I really enjoyed it."

Mavididi was one of several players to spend a week with the group for a summer training camp in Évian-les-Bains and the former Arsenal man explained the benefits of that time away.

"It was good, it was exciting," the 26-year-old said. "After a long break, you miss it, and you want to get back as soon as possible. It was a nice trip. We worked really hard and worked really well. Now we’ve got our target, the first game of the season, and we’ll work towards that.

"It’s a big change and we’ve got a good group of lads. Everyone’s open to learning new things and we’re learning what the gaffer’s showing us. It’s exciting and we just need to keep working well towards the first game of the season."

With less than a month to go until City's Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur at King Power Stadium, Mavididi offered a window into the mindset in the group.

"I feel like everyone’s got a point to prove in our team in the Premier League," he explained. "We want to get there in the best condition possible, so that’s why we’re working hard in pre-season. We’re raring to go."