Justin: A Steady Start For Us
- Chelsea visit King Power Stadium as Leicester City return to Premier League duties
- The Foxes currently sit 15th heading into a busy period of pre-Christmas fixtures
- James Justin looked ahead to Saturday’s game against the west London outfit
The Foxes return to action with the visit of Chelsea to King Power Stadium on Saturday afternoon (12:30pm GMT kick-off), looking to climb further up the table by gaining a positive result against the Londoners.
Assessing the start to the campaign for Steve Cooper’s men, who sit on 10 points after the opening 11 fixtures, Justin believes there is more to come from City, who are finding their feet back in the division.
“We’re just scratching the surface,” the one-time England international commented. “We have a lot of ambition as a team and as a club, but at the same time you have to be realistic because there is obviously quite a big difference in the quality between the Championship and the Premier League.
“There’s only been 10 or 11 games so far and I think we’re in 15th. We’re looking forward and we have goals other than staying in the league, which is first and foremost. You have to take the points when you can get them and to be in the position that we’re in now is a steady start.”
Beaten 3-0 by Manchester United at Old Trafford two weeks ago, there has been a period of reflection for the players back in Seagrave, with all focus moving towards facing the Blues back on home soil.
“It was a tough day,” the defender admitted. “I didn’t think there was too much in the game, but we didn’t create enough chances to come away with any points. We’ve moved past it. The international break is coming to a close and we’re looking forward to the next match.”
That next match sees the return of former City Manager Enzo Maresca, in the opposition dugout for the first time since leading Leicester to the Sky Bet Championship title last term.
Although Justin expects a warm welcome for the Italian, who created some fond memories for the Foxes faithful by delivering an immediate return to the top-flight, it will be business as usual once he steps onto the pitch.
The full-back recalled: “It was an amazing time for me and everyone at the Club, bouncing straight back up after the disappointment of relegation the season before. It was a good season and a joy to play under him and in that team we had last year.
“He’s moved on now and we have to get on with this season, but it will be nice to see him and the coaching staff again.
“Last season, we played a lot in one way, but we knew that he had different ideas that he wanted to implement in the coming seasons. When you watch Chelsea, you can see him slowly implementing those ideas. He’s only been there a few months and they are playing well at the moment.”