Learning game
CITY NEWS LEFT-BACK RIVALS INTEND TO HELP EACH OTHER
SHOWPIECE: New signing Ryan Bertrand challenges Riyad Mahrez of Man City during the Community Shield
LUKE Thomas is hoping to learn from new left-back team-mate Ryan Bertrand – and the feeling is mutual.
With James Justin injured, Thomas made the left-back spot his own at the end of last season, starting the FA Cup final just 10 months after his senior debut.
But now he has a rival for his spot following Bertrand’s free transfer from Southampton this summer.
The 32-year-old England international looks set to start the Premier League campaign as the club’s firstchoice on the left side of defence.
But while he has 12 years’ more experience than Thomas, he reckons he can pick up new skills from the academy graduate.
“I’ve been very impressed, he’s a top young player, Luke,” Bertrand said.
“I’m here to play football and compete and help and learn. There will be things I will learn from him. You can learn from everyone.
“It’s very open. That’s part of my reason for being here.
“If I can help any of the young players at any time, at any phase, on or off the field, I’m always there for them.”
For an up-and-coming young fullback like Thomas, there seem to be few better role models than Bertrand, who has 19 England caps and more than 250 Premier League appearances to his name.
“And don’t forget the Champions League that he’s won,” Thomas said.
“He’s got great experience and he’s a top lad. He’s been in for a couple of weeks and we’ve all got on really well with him.
“I’ll definitely learn from his experience that he’s got and the things he’s won. He’s a great player.”
Bertrand started the Community Shield and has settled well into the defence, not only showing a resoluteness at the back, but a desire to get forward and support Harvey Barnes too.
He even registered a pair of assists in the 3-2 win over Villarreal last week.
“That’s my game,” Bertrand said. “Although I can stay deep, I can start the play and I can help circulate the ball in the possession phase, as soon as the chains are off I’m calling Wilf (Ndidi) and I’m going.
“Sometimes you might see me dropping in as a three, Ricky (Pereira) going higher but then I’ll be arriving late on the other side.
“It’s always fantastic to help the team, whether it’s in the build-up or in a pure defensive display. I love to help with assists.
Bertrand added: “It’s an amazing club.
“It’s a connected club, from the fans to the ownership, all the way down, it’s a connected family club.
“But it’s a forward-thinking club, a progressive club and I thrive in those sorts of environments. I want to take it by storm.”
WESLEY Fofana will begin the first phase of his recovery this week after undergoing an operation on Monday, writes Jordan Blackwell.
The Leicester City defender is scheduled to return to the club’s Seagrave training ground to start his rehabilitation period – which could last six months – from tomorrow or Friday.
Fofana suffered a broken fibula and medial ligament damage following a reckless challenge by Villarreal’s Fer Nino last Wednesday and has been ruled out until at least 2022 by manager Brendan Rodgers.
He was scheduled to undergo his operation on Monday, and the 20-year-old posted a picture on his Instagram story of himself smiling from his hospital bed on Monday night, annotated with a big green tick.
Rodgers will provide a further update on Fofana when he previews the opening Premier League game of the season against Wolves with the media on Thursday.
Fofana could be one of five players on the sidelines for the match, although City could see one of their injured stars return.
Jonny Evans (foot), James Justin (knee), and Papy Mendy (groin) are definitely out, but Timothy Castagne, now back in training with a protective mask, could be in contention.
The Belgian is unlikely to usurp Ricardo Pereira or Ryan Bertrand in the full-back roles after the pair’s impressive showings in pre-season and at Wembley on Saturday, but he could be on the bench.