BIG CHANCE
RODGERS IS SINGING THE PRAISES OF TAVARES, 19
MORE opportunities could be coming the way of Leicester City’s newest star Sidnei Tavares as manager Brendan Rodgers looks to resolve the lack of creativity available to him.
The 19-year-old midfielder made his first start for the club in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Brighton, Rodgers placing him in a midfield three with Youri Tielemans and Wilfred Ndidi.
Tavares got the nod over more experienced midfielders like Papy Mendy and Hamza Choudhury because Rodgers believed his side needed more forward thrust on the ball.
City faced the Seagulls without five of their creative players, with James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Ayoze Perez, Dennis Praet and Cengiz Under all injured.
And with Perez the only one close to a return, more starts could be on the horizon for Tavares.
Rodgers has encouraged him to get his head down and focus, and then more rounds of applause could be on his way, just like the one his teammates gave him in the changing room on the south coast.
Assessing the 19-year-old’s performance, Rodgers said: “We’re missing a lot of creative players so I felt his ability… he wants the ball, he wants to play, he has a lovely view of the game, so he’s got big potential. I thought he did very well.
“A couple of times he lost it purely because of the speed of the game.
“But other times, he took the ball, played forward, he had a great strike that was unlucky, and showed his running ability off the ball.
“I’m delighted for him. There’s a lot of work for him still to do, but it’s nice to see young players do well.
“It’s always nice to see a young player making their first appearance. He got a round of applause from the players in the changing room afterwards which tells you everything about his contribution.
“Now he can get his head down, focus, and hopefully make an impact.”
Tavares’ selection is also a message to other youngsters at the club that the manager is always watching.
The Portugal Under-19 international first caught Rodgers’ attention in an FA Youth Cup game against Watford
attended by the manager in just his second day at the helm at City.
“I’m always excited to give young players the opportunity because you just never know,” said Rodgers.
“I watched a youth team game when I first came to the club, he played in it and he really impressed me.
“He hasn’t played a great deal for our under-23s teams but he’s 6ft 3ins, he’s a good mover, he takes the ball.
“He’s a player who I think has big potential.”
EVANS AND PEREZ MAY RETURN TO FACE BLADES