Leicester City first team coach, Kolo Toure, outlines how he is connecting with the Foxes’ young players to support their development at the Premier League club.

Modern-day footballers need “friendship and support” from coaching staff in order to cope with the demands of the game, explains Leicester City’s Kolo Toure.The Foxes first-team coach, who joined the Premier League side in 2019 and is currently studying for his UEFA Pro Licence at St. George’s Park, feels young players need guidance to navigate the modern game and that his own wealth of playing experience can help him do so.



“I think the most important thing is just to be their friend and to support them,” explains the 38-year-old.



“Football is global, it’s a big, big thing in the world and we’re dealing with players who are young, they're 22, 23, 24 years old and have demand coming around them - it’s quite difficult.”



“You have to collaborate with them. Communication is very, very important.”



“Nowadays with social media as well their life is exposed a lot. They have pressure, social pressure from family, agents and friends. And I think they need help,” says Toure.



During his own career the former Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool defender won the Premier League and FA Cup as well as winning the African Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast. He was also part of the Gunners’ ‘Invincible’ side that went unbeaten during the 2003-04 season.



With the Ivorian finishing playing in 2017, he believes his recent playing experiences can help him connect with the current generation of players.



“These players need some support and as a coach and an ex-player, I've been in this situation and I try to use that. I try to use that to help them, to make them feel better and I think that's quite important.”