Belgian defender Wout Faes says he is focused on getting Leicester City back into the Premier League and should ignore transfer speculation.
The 25-year-old has been linked with a move to Atalanta and a number of other clubs since Leicester were relegated last season.
This season, he has started 23 out of 26 league games, contributing to the championship’s leading team.
Asked about the interest in Leicester’s players, Fayes said: “The fact that we are doing so well should attract attention.”
“But I don’t think you need to fear or think about it.”
Asked about his future on BBC East Midlands Today amid continued speculation, Fayez said: “My main goal this season is to play as much as I can and get up to the Premier League as soon as possible. There is a euro,” he added. . ”
Faes’ first season at the King Power Stadium after joining from Reims for £15m ended with relegation from the top flight, but Leicester’s unprecedented success included winning the Premier League title, winning the FA Cup and progressing to the Champions League. 10 years have come to an end. League quarterfinals.
“A new era for Leicester”
Under Italian manager Enzo Maresca, Leicester had a strong start to the season, setting a number of club and competition records. This includes becoming the first English second division team to win their opening seven away league games and the fastest Championship team to accumulate 65 points.
After 26 games, Leicester are 10 points clear at the top of the Championship and 13 points ahead of third-placed Southampton in the race for automatic promotion.
Faes said the summer appointment of Maresca, who helped Manchester City win the treble as Josep Guardiola’s assistant coach, was a key factor in turning Leicester from relegation despair into a focused desire to bounce back quickly. talk.
“A new era was coming at the club, with a completely new staff,” Fayez said.
“They brought a lot of positive energy and everyone quickly focused on the main goal of getting back to the Premier League.
“We have to hope and enjoy this challenge.”
Maresca, who lasted just 180 days as Parma’s manager when he handed over the reins to the Italian club following relegation from Serie A in 2021, has somewhat confirmed his focus on possession-based passing football. It also brought more than just a refreshing feeling to the King Power Stadium. A revolutionary change occurred in the way the Foxes played.
“It’s a combination of everything,” Fayez said of why Leicester had such a strong first half of the season.
“We’ve got a new coach coming in who has a very clear style of play and really saying, ‘I want this style of play, but I don’t want anything else,’ and he’s also very excited about coming back. Some players are hungry.
“When you first come in, it’s a whole new thing. Speaking for myself as a defender, I don’t think many players are used to this style where a full-back can become a midfielder, but I do quite a bit.”More wide.
“It’s a very good style and a versatile system and I think we’ve adapted very well.
“He needs his players to do that and he wants us to be brave and keep trying what he practiced and I think that’s why we get rewarded.” [with results].
“He wants us to move the ball and move the ball from one side to the other, but if it’s at the back or behind, it can look a little boring sometimes, but I If we can find the right moment to break the line, I think we are much more dangerous. ”