Tough Week Of Work, Says Choudhury

- Leicester City have spent the last week on a pre-season camp in Germany
- Midfielder Hamza Choudhury has explained the benefit of the trip ahead of 2024/25
- The Academy graduate also paid tribute to former Manager Craig Shakespeare
- Shakespeare, a hugely significant figure in the Club's history, passed away on Thursday

Steve Cooper's City squad spent last week in Germany to fine tune their preparations for the 2024/25 Premier League campaign. Now just two weeks away, focus is all on the opening-day clash with Tottenham Hotspur.

Fitness and tactical work have been combined on their latest summer away trip and Choudhury believes the camaraderie bodes well for the season to come. 

"It’s been good, tough, like we expect," the Academy graduate said. "It’s pre-season so we’re still building and prepping for the beginning of the Premier League, but it’s been enjoyable. The lads have been working hard our in the sun – and the rain!

"We’ve been doing two sessions most days, one early in the morning and in the afternoon as well, so the lads have definitely been getting their work in. It’s been enjoyable spending some time away from the training ground and socialising together a bit more.

"It's some time away to really focus in on the work we’re doing. Not just that, we’ve got new personalities, a whole new staff, so we’re getting to know each other. We’re spending some good quality time around the place and getting to know one another."

During the squad's time in Germany, news came through that former Leicester City Assistant Manager and Manager Shakespeare had passed away last Thursday. Shakespeare was an instrumental figure in the Club's most successful-ever era, assisting Nigel Pearson through League 1 and Championship title successes before also being Claudio Ranieri's no.2 during the astonishing Premier League triumph of 2016. As Manager, meanwhile, he guided the Foxes to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League after masterminding a comeback victory over European experts Sevilla at King Power Stadium. 

"I think if you ask everyone that question they’ll come back with the same answer, he’s the most bubbly person in the room," Choudhury said in tribute. "He was always upbeat no matter what and lifting people’s spirits.

"He actually gave me my debut so I’ll forever be in his debt. I just want to send my condolences to his family, I hope they're doing okay. As I said, Shakey was a wonderful person and a wonderful human being.

"He was obviously a work colleague but he was so much more than just a football coach. He was so personable and he took time out of his day to really care about people and talk to people and get to know them.

"Especially for the younger boys coming up through the Academy, he made it such an easy transition. He was always there for a laugh and a joke but he also helped you along the footballing journey and helped you transition into a man and into a full-time professional footballer. Like I said, me and many, many other footballers will be indebted to Shakey. I just hope everyone can give him a wonderful send off and his family can be at ease."