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In an interview with Leicestershire Live, Ricardo Pereira has hinted at a desire to play in the Champions League, targeting a return to Europe’s premier competition.
What’s the word?
Pereira has had a stunning first season in England after arriving from Porto last summer. He’s starred at right back, providing outstanding contributions in an attacking phase of play, as well as developing into a top defender.
Since Brendan Rodgers arrived at the club Pereira has become even better, helping the Foxes banish the negativity that had surrounded the King Power during the latter part of Claude Puel’s tenure.
However, a few years after the Foxes were last in the Champions League, the Portugal international is targeting a return, claiming that everyone has ambitions to play among Europe’s elite. He told Leicestershire Live:
“For the players that already played, they want to play again. And the players who haven’t, they want to try it for the first time. Everyone wants to play in the Champions League. You see the spectacle when Premier League teams play − everyone is watching. I think it’s an objective for all.”
Leicester fans should be concerned
Pereira initially gave up Champions League football to join the Premier League but his latest comments suggest he wants to be back at the top table. Whether that’s at Leicester or elsewhere is up for debate.
The Foxes stepped up significantly under Rodgers but they’re still a long way off finding themselves back among the continent’s best.
That remarkable title win in 2016 was followed by a run to the Champions League quarter-finals but it’s highly unlikely they’ll find themselves in a similar situation in the coming years.
As a result, the full-back’s comments should come as a concern to Leicester fans, rather than serving as a positive. With the player hinting at a desire to play in the Champions League, he may have to move elsewhere in order to achieve it.
At the age of 25, Pereira will likely want to further his career as he enters his prime. Considering he’s one of the best in his position in the division, it wouldn’t be a surprise if clubs of better stature came calling at some stage.
A year before making the move to the Midlands, Arsenal and Tottenham both weighed up possible transfers. That provides a glimpse of the potential he had even two years ago. But with his stock now considerably higher, clubs of that calibre could be knocking at the door once more.