Steve Cooper, the newly appointed manager of Leicester City Football Club, has revealed that he is making initial contact with Zambian striker Patson Daka and his teammates.
The former head coach of England Under-17s, Swansea City, and Nottingham Forest takes charge of the Foxes after signing a three-year contract at King Power Stadium last Thursday.
Cooper has made it clear what attributes he is looking for in the players ahead of their return to the Premier League, stating that he has spent time studying the squad before they return for preseason next week.
“I’ve spent so much time studying the team and the squad,” Cooper told the club’s media. “I’ve made some initial phone calls to some of the players, and I’ll get around them, but it’s important that they have a rest as well. We’re coming to the back end of June, and I know the season finished quite early because of the automatic promotion, which is great.”
The Foxes kept the majority of their key players for the championship after being relegated and managed to return to the Premier League after just one attempt.
Veteran striker Jamie Vardy was instrumental in their run, while Daka stepped up with 7 goals and 5 assists in 20 matches when the Foxes needed the match-winning moments in the absence of Vardy and Kelechi Iheanancho, who suffered injuries.
Cooper gives a hint about his EPL plan
The gaffer has demanded hard work and a winning mentality from the players as they return to the Premier League.
“What is great about the players and the staff that I’ve spoken to so far is that they’re just really hungry to get going again next year. Whatever level you are at, hard work, good intentions, and a winning mentality are really important,” he stated.
The Welshman believes Leicester City has enough firepower to compete and stay afloat in the Premier League, though he has hinted at additions to the squad.
“We’ve got a lot of talent, a lot of character, and a lot of good attributes in the squad already. With the right additions that the club is working together to bring in, we’ll give ourselves the best chance of reaching the objectives that we’ll set for next season,” he revealed.
Leicester City will open their 2024/25 Premier League campaign against Tottenham Hotspur on August 19, 2024.
