BREN CHILLED OUT OVER BEN
BRENDAN RODGERS admits there is no guarantee Leicester can hang on to £60million-rated Ben Chilwell.
Chelsea head a host of big clubs eager to land the 23-year-old England defender.
Rodgers repeated his mantra that City do not want to sell and do not have to sell any of their top players.
But asked if Chilwell would start next season at the King Power, the Foxes boss replied: “I’m not sure.”
Preparing for tomorrow’s visit to Tottenham, he revealed that he will not be losing too much sleep over the persistent speculation.
Rodgers said: “He’s a Leicester City player. He’s not a player we want to lose so I’m pretty relaxed about it. I’m not worried.
“There’s no intention to sell Ben Chilwell and there’s no need. The message is he’s not for sale.”
But clearly the club’s hierarchy are bracing themselves for a big-money bid for the academy product, which could leave them with a huge decision to make.
Rodgers’ only focus right now is trying to clinch Champions League football for next season after the 2-0 win over Sheffield United nailed down a Europa League spot as the absolute minimum.
They could go into a mouthwatering winner-takes-all clash at home to Manchester
United on the final day of term. But with a European campaign guaranteed, Leicester can really go for it to try to see out the season in style.
They will have to do it without Chilwell and midfield star James Maddison, who are both injured, and the suspended Caglar Soyuncu.
Rodgers added: “We can now give everything and play with freedom.
“Our target at the start of the season was to try to get European football and to do that with two games to go is brilliant.” The Tottenham clash sees Premier League top scorer Jamie Vardy showcase his finishing prowess in the company of Spurs and England striker Harry Kane. Rodgers (below) says having the luxury of brilliant natural finishers is something every manager dreams of.
He added: “Both of them have had different journeys to the top. Jamie is just phenomenal and Harry is a player who has done a top level job for England and Spurs. “They are both outstanding strikers and both up there with the best in the world. “Their individual stories show no pathway is closed when you work hard enough. “Jamie came to it late through non-league while Harry went out on loan and maybe at times thought his career at Tottenham was done. It’s quite remarkable.”