Interview: Portugal and Leicester City defender Ricardo Pereira

By Dean PerrettaSoccer
Portgual international, Ricardo Pereira, joined Premier League club Leicester City in May 2018 in a €25 million deal from reigning Primeira Liga champions FC Porto.
Ricardo, who was named in Fernando Santos’ Portugal squad for FIFA World Cup Russia 2018, marked the 24-year-old Foxes defender’s first major international tournament for his country.
Ricardo’s FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 experience witnessed Portugal’s advancement into the final sixteen before being eliminated by Uruguay in a 2-1 loss courtesy of a brace from Edison Cavani.
Meanwhile, Claude Puel’s Leicester City are currently 10th in the Premier League after securing 12 points in their first eight league games. Ricardo made his Foxes debut against José Mourinho’s Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Leicester City next travel to the Emirates Stadium to play Unai Emery’s Arsenal on October 22 thereafter the international break. The Foxes then play subsequent Premier League encounters against West Ham United, Cardiff City and Burnley.

Dean Perretta: Firstly Ricardo, what are the main ambitions and expectations for Leicester City this season?

Ricardo Pereira: Of course, we want to do the best we can. We want to finish close to the big six clubs in the Premier League and we’ll do everything we can to do that. We’ll go game after game and then we’ll see where we are.

 

Dean Perretta: What are your thoughts on Leicester City’s form and performances in the early stages of the season so far?

Ricardo Pereira: Some games we’ve played well and we’ve lost. I think we can improve step by step and do much better. We have to do it as a team and if we do this, I think we’ll achieve good things in the future.

 

Dean Perretta How would you describe the managerial philosophy and tactical style of Claude Puel from a players perspective?

Ricardo Pereira: I think he’s a coach who likes to play with aggression and who likes to play forward. He likes for the team to press and to play good football. He also likes to win…like everyone!

 

Dean Perretta: Portugal teammate Adrien Silva is a colleague at Leicester City. How was your experience representing Portugal at FIFA World Cup Russia 2018?

Ricardo Pereira: It was good. I’d played for the national team before, but when I knew I was coming to Leicester City, it was important for me to get to know Adrien better and to speak about the Club.

 

Dean Perretta: Lastly Ricardo, the King Power Stadium is a fortress on match day. How was the feeling when you made your Leicester City home debut?

Ricardo Pereira: It was a very good experience. The atmosphere was very good and it was nice to have the support from our supporters. They’ll be very important in the future and we count on them.

Dean Perretta
Dean Perretta is a 2x SEA Award-winning creative, Broadcast Journalist, Reporter, Courtside Analyst for BBC televised London Lions and Executive Producer who currently contributes to FOX Sports Radio, FourFourTwo Magazine and Muscle & Fitness Magazine.