WE’RE RODGERED!
LEICESTER CITY may have sold Harry Maguire to Manchester United for a British record £80million – but in Jonny Evans they possess the ‘steal of the century’.
That is the message from Brendan Rodgers as he faces kicking off the new season at home to Wolves today without England ace Maguire among his ranks.
Though United splashed the world’s biggest ever fee for a defender to seal the Maguire deal, Rodgers reckons ex-old Trafford ace Evans is every bit as good.
And given the Northern Ireland star cost Leicester around 20 times less from West Brom 12 months ago, when it comes to value for money Evans trumps Maguire every time. Boss Rodgers said: “Jonny Evans could play for anyone in this league. For £3.5m, he’s the steal of the century.
“He is a top, top centre-half. I’d known about his qualities for a long time. But his reading of the game makes him absolutely top level in his position.
“For anyone who plays alongside him, it is a great experience. He’s different class.”
Rodgers is equally complimentary when showering praise on his BRENDAN RODGERS says Leicester will always be prey when the big clubs circle for their star players.
The Foxes were title winners three years ago and have untold wealth backing them but Rodgers
(right) says it’s still not enough when the mega clubs are in for their top players.
They stood their ground but eventually took £80million for
Harry Maguire, just as they lost
Riyad Mahrez to Manchester City.
Rodgers says it’s the law of the jungle and clubs like Leicester and today’s opponents Wolves will struggle to change things. He said: “I’m a realist. It’s always going to be difficult. It’s just all major acquisition of the summer – Belgium playmaker Youri Tielemans.
A £40m swoop secured the former Monaco star’s signature permanently after his superb five months on loan last season at the King Power.
Tielemans, at 22, has the world at his feet and, according to Rodgers, it is his remarkable footballing brain that makes him such a unique, special talent.
The manager added: “It’s like having a coach out on the pitch. His knowledge of the game is tremendous.
Mature
“Youri understands and knows football – what we’re trying do. Talent is one thing but it’s nothing without the hunger to work hard and, like all our squad, he has this.”
Rodgers revealed Leicester had to fight off some ‘big’ clubs to win the race for Tielemans – and the fact the midfielder favoured them over the likes of United and Tottenham underlines how playing every week comes before big wages.
The King Power supremo went on: “Leicester gives him the chance to flourish. Our style enables us to extract his best qualities. It was good he didn’t wait for other opportunities. He’s mature. He had other big options, but he’s focused on playing.
“He’d felt the love of the fans and knew the dynamics of the squad. We’re a community club. That was important for him, his wife and young child.” down to the ambition of the player. This club has got great ambitions but it’s never going to have the money a lot of the top-six clubs have.
“We can be competitive but there’s no way we’ll be able to offer the salaries of teams at that level and that’s the reality of it.”
Leicester and Wolves have a real chance of ousting one of the top six this time around, but Rodgers says when a club like Manchester United came calling for Maguire the writing was on the wall.
“If someone can come in and double your money, if that’s the case, it will always be difficult,” he said.