Leicester City manager Russell Martin has explained why he decided to substitute one of his most trusted players during the club’s latest pre-season outing, insisting the decision was made purely to protect him ahead of the new campaign.
The midfielder had just made a strong, committed tackle that immediately caught the attention of the coaching staff.
Although he appeared fit to continue, Martin wasted no time in bringing him off, making it clear after the match that he was unwilling to take any unnecessary risks with a player he considers vital to his plans.
«”He is very important for me, that’s why I took him off.”»
The player Martin was referring to was Hamza Choudhury, whose combative style and leadership have made him a key figure in Leicester’s squad.
The academy graduate has been heavily involved throughout pre-season and is expected to play an important role as the Foxes prepare for the start of the Championship campaign.
Known for his fearless tackling and relentless work rate, Choudhury has never been afraid to put his body on the line.

That commitment is one of the qualities Martin admires most, but the Leicester boss was determined not to risk losing such an influential player in a pre-season friendly.
Martin’s comments underline just how highly he rates Choudhury, with protecting his fitness clearly one of the club’s priorities ahead of the new season.
Leicester supporters will no doubt be pleased to hear that the substitution was simply a precaution, ensuring one of the squad’s most important players remains fully fit when the competitive action gets underway.