Rodgers hails JJ as ‘phenomenal’
BOSS PAYS TRIBUTE TO DEFENDER’S VERSATILITY
JAMES Justin typifies the team values instilled at Leicester City, manager Brendan Rodgers said as he waxed lyrical about his full-back.
Justin, right, helped City keep a clean sheet on Thursday night as they defeated AEK Athens 2-0 to secure top spot in their Europa League group.
It was the 11th straight game in which Justin has played 90 minutes, with the 22-year-old the only City player to have featured in every Premier League and Europa League game this term.
Not only that, but he’s played in multiple different roles, showing his talents as a wing-back, full-back, and in a back three on both the right and left sides.
The versatility he has shown and the characteristics of his game saw Rodgers make an unprompted tribute to Justin after Thursday’s win.
“James Justin, this kid has played all over the pitch for me, and consistently,” Rodgers said.
“Left-back, right-back, left side of a three, right side of a three, it’s absolutely phenomenal what he gives.
“You talk about values of a team, he typifies it all. He takes responsibility, he shows great courage, he’s a team player, he respects the game and prepares that way.”
On the other side of the defence on Thursday was teenager Luke Thomas.
The academy graduate continues to grow in stature, and Rodgers was impressed with his showing.
The manager believes the young left-back still has plenty of room of improvement, particularly physically, with Rodgers pointing out that Thomas is not yet at a level where he can play three games a week. “The kid’s done really well.” Rodgers said of Thomas.
“There’s still a lot of growth to come from him, a lot of maturation. There’s a lot more physicality to get into his game. But he’s such a great boy.
“We’re trying to manage his physicality because at that age you can’t do three games a week, it’s impossible for him to play to the physicality we want.
“He’s a young player who comes in, he’s got a wonderful left foot, him and Barnesy linked up really well, he serves him it early. “Tactically we’re asking him to play in these little spaces where he can get the ball out to him. I thought he did that very well.
“And when he has to defend, he’s aggressive, he gets in contention. I thought both full-backs played very well.”