Leicester City have to buy into Steve Cooper’s vision as he makes changes from Enzo Maresca’s philosophy, new signing Bobby De Cordova-Reid has said.
The Jamaican attacker has joined on a free transfer from Fulham, signing a three-year deal and becoming the first new recruit under Cooper. He comes into a City squad hoping to survive in the Premier League after promotion and has experience of such a scenario.
De Cordova-Reid was twice promoted with Fulham, and while they went straight back down the first time, they have since stayed up, twice finishing well clear of the relegation zone. City will hope to follow in their footsteps.
But the key to success is making sure everybody is on the same page under Cooper. De Cordova-Reid, having spoken to Cooper, expects changes from how City played under Maresca and wants his team-mates to be committed to the new manager’s ideas.
The 31-year-old told the club: “I had a good chat with the manager, he told me the vision of the club and sold it for me. I spoke to him a few times and he was very clear in what he wanted and what he saw in me. He believes in me and it’s a perfect fit. It’s going to be a very interesting season.
“We’ve got to stick together as a squad. There’s going to be times when there are ups and downs and we need to understand that the downs won’t last that long if we continue to do the right things and be consistent in what we’re doing.
“We need to follow the manager’s way of playing. Everyone has got to buy into his philosophy, it’s going to be a change from the previous manager. By the looks of it, from what I can see, there’s a good group of lads here who are willing to learn and willing to put the manager’s methods in process.”
De Cordova-Reid is looking to bring experience and goals to City’s attack. Playing on the wing, in attacking midfield, or as a striker, he scored six times in the Premier League last season. He also captained the Cottagers on occasion having been promoted into the player leadership group.
“I want to bring experience,” he added. “I’ve got energy, I’d like to say I’m a goalscorer as well and a playmaker. Hopefully I can bring all of those things and make the squad better.
