Rodgers is facing a balancing act when transfer window opens
MANAGER WILL WANT TO STRENGTHEN SQUAD WITHOUT DISRUPTING THE HARMONY CITY NEWS
THE summer transfer window will be a balancing act for Leicester City as they look to bolster their squad for Europe but ensure it remains a tight-knit group.
Although they have won just one of their five Premier League games since the restart, City are on course to qualify for either the Champions League or Europa League.
With an extra competition in their schedule, manager Brendan Rodgers has said City would need to bring in more players to cope with the added workload.
But having too many new faces can upset the harmony of a squad, with Rodgers admitting that he does not want too many players on the fringes of the side.
“Finances comes into that, but if we have European football next year then that’s going to increase the number of games and then we’ll need to improve the squad for that,” Rodgers said.
“I prefer to work with a tight squad. I don’t tend to have too many outside or else the feeling for those players is that they’re never close to playing.
“I do normally like to work with a tight squad.
“However, there’s no doubt we need more options going forward next year.”
Rodgers said recently that bringing in more creative options was among City’s priorities for the summer transfer window. A striker could also be targeted if City continue to play with two up front.
Jamie Vardy has been joined by Kelechi Iheanacho in the starting line-up of late, and the pair are the only out-and-out frontmen in the squad.
“It’s something we’ll look at going forward,” said Rodgers.
“Kelechi’s done absolutely brilliantly in my time here.
“When I came in he was a young player who needed confidence but
MAKING HIS POINT: Brendan Rodgers on the touchline during City’s 1-1 draw at Arsenal on Tuesday as he’s gained the confidence of the players and supporters here, you’ve seen his strengths.
“He can score goals. He’s still got more to improve on but he’s a great lad who trains every day, he loves his football and he’s a real threat every time he plays.
“We’ll look at the squad. We are looking currently and at the end of the season we will be also because each season you want to improve. But at the moment the focus is on the players we have.”