‘Everyone’s On The Same Wavelength’ – De Cordova-Reid & Coady’s Pre-Season Chat
Having represented Jamaica at the Copa America in June, the attacker was allowed a period of rest before joining the squad for the first time last week. Featuring in the pre-season friendly against Palermo, De Cordova-Reid is currently on the Club’s pre-season camp in Germany, as preparations for the upcoming Premier League campaign continue.
“I'm enjoying it,” the former Fulham forward revealed, in conversation with Coady. “I feel like I've settled in quite quickly. I think that's a testament to you lads. I don't know any of you personally, but I feel like we've been playing against each other for years, since youth team days, so it's an easy transition.
“It's not necessarily been a challenge, it's been different, but it was something that I was relishing. Sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone is a good thing and challenging yourself. I think in this, I'm doing that at the moment. The lads, obviously good, training has been good. I just can't wait for the season to start now.”
Previous encounters between the pair remain fresh in Coady’s mind and the England defender is thrilled to have De Cordova-Reid on board for the Foxes’ top-flight return, after spending five seasons at Craven Cottage. It’s a similar scenario to the one Coady experienced himself with Wolverhampton Wanderers before arriving in Leicester.
The centre-back commented: “I remember playing against you at Bristol City as well when I was in the Championship at Wolves and we had some good battles. But you've been at Fulham for so long.
“I was the same. I was at Wolves for a long time when I came here, and settling into a new group is a bit different, because you’re so used to Fulham when you were there.
“I'll be honest, from watching you in training and from playing against you over the years, I know how good you are as a player. I'm not just blowing smoke, I've seen it in training in the first couple of days.
“But it's exciting for the supporters to understand the sort of player coming in. I think you'll fit in perfectly with how you want to play and the sort of player you are. You'll be great here. Having you in, it really helps us, so as a player, I'm absolutely buzzing that you are here.”
Coady x De Cordova-Reid
During Leicester City's stay in Germany, new signing Bobby De Cordova-Reid and defender Conor Coady catch up to take stock on the summer so far.
De Cordova-Reid, meanwhile, praised the group’s spirit, noticeable from his first few days around the squad and outlined how the Manager’s vision was key in his decision.
The 31-year-old continued: “I feel even in the sessions now, everyone seems to be on the same wavelength. Obviously, you lot have been together for a while now and I feel like I've just slotted in and understood what the Manager wants, what the team wants and what we demand from each other.
“I think that's going to have a massive part to play. Obviously, it is a tough season in the Premier League, and we have to hit the ground running and to have that togetherness and everyone together, it obviously helps.
“I spoke to him (Steve Cooper) a couple of times and I liked what he had to say and that was one of the main reasons why it brought me to this Club.
“It's a big club and obviously expectations are high and we've got to work together as a group to achieve what we want, our goals for the season. There are going to be a lot of ups and downs, but I think we'll achieve what we want to.”
Coady concurred on the atmosphere, which was vital in helping to steer City to the Sky Bet Championship title in 2023/24: “I think it's something from last year with us and the way we play and the way we want to play, I think you've seen in training in terms of things we've done last year, there's still an identity to the Club.
“With this Club, when I first came in, I think it is a little bit different, I really do. It's something that I experienced last year, with the boys in the Club and the owner and different things, and in terms of how much the Club is together.
“The family feel with the Club and what it's like, you'll see on game days when your Mrs comes down and different things, it's an incredible feeling, and when we can get it going, it'll be top draw, it really will.”