“It’s the most competitive I’ve played in” – Ricardo Pereira

Everyone associated with Leicester City absolutely loves Ricardo Pereira. In fact, he is probably the most consistent signing – comparatively with James Maddison – this season. Now the Portuguese speaks on the Premier League being the most competitive he’s been involved with, amongst other things:

For people from Leicestershire it’s no big surprise to see the team lose at home to clubs like Cardiff City, while beating Chelsea away and Manchester City at home – it’s the Leicester City way!

For Ricardo Pereira the situation must seem unfathomable and inexplicable. Don’t worry, mate, it does to us Blue Army folk too, but we’re just used to it. Commenting on the baffling, disappointingly varying nature of results of late, he seems reflective; despite scoring two and assisting four goals himself. Incidentally, WhoScored rate him as the second best Leicester player this term.

The upcoming run of premiership fixtures should bring in between 15-20 points, if the haul is realistic in realising the expectation of a 7th place finish.

Leicester City are a bit up and down

Explanations can be estimated with regards to points being dropped and gained in unlikely circumstances: like Claude Puel implementing a three-man-midfield to stifle quality opponents and reigniting counter attacking prowess. Yet the inconsistency seems to be a club staple: up for the big matches, complacent in the lesser clashes. Of course we had great tragedy on Filbert Way too, just last year.

More from Foxes of Leicester

• Enzo Maresca hails four star Leicester players
• Harry Winks reveals his easy decision to join Leicester
• Southampton 1-4 Leicester City: 3 Foxes positives and negatives
• Southampton 1-4 Leicester: 3 things learned
• Predicted Leicester City starting XI vs Southampton

This past week, the Foxes right-back gave an interview to lcfc.com about how challenging and imposing the Premier League is, in addition to talking about City’s fluctuating form:

"“It’s been a little bit irregular .We’ve had good games and we’ve had bad games. We had good games that we lost, and we had some bad games that we won. It’s a long season and we need to be more regular, more consistent.“It will make the difference in some games. If we can’t win, we can’t lose, like against Wolves for example. We have to be more mature. With the games, we will start learning that and improving that.“We know every game here, it’s difficult. Sometimes we play against first or second and we won, and we play against the last and we’ve lost.“It’s difficult to explain, sometimes there’s a lot of circumstances in the game with players whether it’s home or away.“We have to be ready for that during every game, because we have to enter every game like it’s the best team in the world because you never know what could happen here. We have to improve that.“There are very good players in all teams, players that can decide the game. For sure, it’s [the English Premier League] the most competitive championship I’ve played in.”– Ricardo PereiraVia Leicester Mercury"

Although he considers stability a must at home and on travels, the 25-year-old is content and settled at the East Midlands club. He told the team’s website he imagined his transition in the English top-flight as harder than it was.

Additionally, the former Porto defender insists having Nampalys Mendy – whom he knew at French side Nice – and Adrien Silva – a fellow Portugal international colleague – at the King Power Stadium helped him acclimatise.

Puel will obviously be looking to beat Crystal Palace on Saturday, but grinding out three points will do nothing to shift those sternly opposed to his methods. A really fine display, as well as a clean sheet and the win would speak volumes for the Frenchman – dream on for that eventuality.