Football
Leicester’s New Era: James Justin Lauds Steve Cooper’s Fresh Approach Ahead of Premier League Battle
James Justin praises new Leicester City manager Steve Cooper's innovative approach, believing it will surprise Premier League opponents. Despite Enzo Maresca's departure to Chelsea, Justin sees a bright future under Cooper's leadership.
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James Justin says new manager Steve Cooper’s innovative approach means Leicester City’s players have not dwelt on Enzo Maresca’s shock move to Chelsea.
The defender, who is intent on regaining his place in the England set-up when Gareth Southgate’s successor is eventually unveiled, believes the strategy Cooper is working on will surprise The Foxes’ Premier League opponent’s next term.
New System, New Focus: Cooper’s Fresh Ideas
The former Nottingham Forest boss was named as Maresca’s replacement earlier this summer, when the Italian was poached by Chelsea only two months after leading City to promotion from the Championship.
Revealing Cooper has immediately gained the confidence and respect of The Foxes’ dressing room, Justin told SportsBoom.com: “Enzo was good for the club. He did his job which was to get us back up.”
“But he left. Good for him. We’re focused on Leicester now and he’s going to be focused on his club.”
I’m not going to say too much about what our plans are. But it’s a new system both on and off the ball and off it, there’s a few little things he’s added in that department.
James Justin
Maresca’s Departure: A Blessing in Disguise?
Previously Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City, Maresca’s departure threatened to undermine City’s hopes of avoiding relegation, having been punished for a breach of the competition’s financial regulations last season.
After impressing during a brief spell in charge of Swansea City, Cooper embellished his reputation by leading Forest into the top-flight and then helping to establish them at the highest level.
Image Credits: LiveScore
Although The Foxes will start on minus two points when Tottenham Hotspur visit the KP Stadium next month, Justin hinted Cooper’s methods can help them make a mockery of suggestions they are destined for the drop.
“I feel like it’s a new system,” continued Justin, revealing the Welshman has tweaked Maresca’s high-risk approach.
“The more you see, the more I think you’ll understand.”
Battle-Hardened in the Championship
Aged 26, Justin was a member of the City squad which was demoted two seasons ago - only seven years after being crowned champions of England. His solitary senior cap came against Hungary 12 months earlier, with injury forcing him off midway through the Nations League fixture.
Although a return to the second tier was not part of The Foxes’ masterplan, Justin insisted that experiencing the rigours of Championship football has left them equipped to survive at the highest level.
“People don’t recover fully in between games but you learn to just go out there again, put on a performance, get the three points and go home,” James said.
“Whether it’s a long away trip to Sunderland, Hull or whatever, you’ve got to put the work in on the pitch and grind it out whenever you have to.
“Hopefully we can take that attitude into this season, which is what we aim to do.”
“The games will be a lot harder and a lot higher paced too,” James added.
“But with the work we’ve been doing in pre-season, hopefully we’ll be ready.”
“We’ve been working on lots of good things and we’re already seeing the benefits.”
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.