Jayden Joseph has welcomed the competition with close friend Bade Aluko as the pair battle for the right-back spot in Russell Martin’s Leicester City team this season.
Joseph returned from his loan spell at Tranmere Rovers this summer with glowing praise after helping the Merseyside club secure their Football League status. The 20-year-old is yet to make his competitive debut for the Foxes after joining from Manchester City’s academy in 2022.
The right-back position is open for the first time in years following Ricardo Pereira’s departure. Aluko, who has made 11 appearances for City, has joined Joseph in competing for the role during pre-season, with both players impressing.
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The new campaign kicks-off tomorrow afternoon with a Carabao Cup first-round clash against Northampton Town, before City begin their League One journey at Notts County the following week.
It remains unclear which defender Martin will select at right-back for the opening fixtures, but Joseph is embracing the competition alongside Aluko. “It’s all good. Me and Bade are good friends so [it’s] friendly competition,” he told LeicestershireLive.
“We both want to play obviously so we’ll keep pushing each other to get the best out of each other and to ultimately help the team.”
Joseph’s loan at Tranmere was his first taste of senior football, and he returned to Seagrave physically stronger and with valuable experience. He has impressed against physical opposition during pre-season, while also showcasing his attacking qualities in the defeat to Genoa.
“I learnt so much there, the jump from Under-21s to first-team football was huge,” he added.
“The physicality and intensity, I feel like Tranmere prepared me to come back here to show what I can do.”
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