Leicester City must adhere to their established philosophy and core values in the Premier League, according to Conor Coady, as they work to bridge the significant gap between the Championship and the top flight. Coady stresses the importance of not abandoning their successful blueprint despite the challenges that lie ahead.
The struggles of last season’s promoted clubs to adapt to the Premier League underscore the difficulty of maintaining top-flight status. Leicester’s manager, Enzo Maresca, has emphasized the necessity of aiming no higher than 17th place at the start of the new season in August, reflecting a realistic approach to survival.
Burnley’s experience has been particularly notable for Leicester supporters. With Vincent Kompany, a manager influenced by Pep Guardiola, at the helm, Burnley dominated the Championship, achieving promotion with 101 points and only three losses. However, their Premier League campaign ended in relegation, illustrating the harsh realities of the top division.
Coady believes that Leicester should not abandon their style of play now that they have returned to the Premier League. Instead, they should make minor adjustments to enhance their competitiveness while staying true to their core principles. “You’re always going to have to make little adjustments,” Coady stated. “It’s important to stick to your philosophy and what you’re good at.”
He highlighted that many Leicester players have Premier League experience and understand its challenges, which will be crucial for the upcoming season. The focus should be on preparing for each game without setting rigid targets. “We’ll tick them off, making sure we’re ready and prepared for what’s coming because we know it will be so, so hard.”
Coady advises against setting specific goals, emphasizing confidence and readiness. He also expressed excitement about competing in the Premier League, a dream for the players, and reiterated the significance of returning Leicester to the top flight. “The most important thing was to get this club back in the Premier League, and we’ve done it,” he concluded.