IT’S YOURI GELLER...
Tielemans provides the magic for Foxes
BRENDAN RODGERS reckons he has got his very own Uri Geller performing magic for his Leicester side.
Midfielder Youri Tielemans “sees things” according to the Foxes boss and has mind-bending ability.
That’s why Leicester smashed their club record in the summer by splashing out £40million for the Belgium ace.
The 22-year-old did enough during a loan spell from Monaco last season to catch the eye of a number of clubs but it was Leicester’s homely feel that won the day.
And Rodgers is delighted to inherit a player he firmly believes is destined for even bigger things as he takes his side to Crystal Palace today.
Rodgers said: “He has a view of the game. He always is looking for clarity and for someone so young he is a wonderful coach in the game.
“He is always talking to players on the field and helping them. A fantastic player. He’s got a wonderful view of the game. Compared to lots of 22 year olds I’ve worked with, he’s got a real football brain. He understands the game absolutely 100 per cent.”
The Foxes boss says sometimes seeing how the midfielder tunes into things is only apparent afterwards.
He added: “There were a couple of bits we saw on reflection, stuff where the ball goes out to him and he bounces it first time because he understands that the picture has to change quickly.
“He’s been given a great education in football and he takes that on to the field. I was very fortunate when I came in because he was here.”
Leicester moved quickly and had the edge because he had already tasted life at the club and living in the area.
Choices
Rodgers added: “He can come here and develop and flourish more as a player. He then may have other choices again later on but from a football and family perspective, this was the best option for him.
“You could see he was enjoying playing and obviously towards the end of the season we knew there was going to be interest. But we had a few long chats in terms of mapping out how it would look for him if he joined here on a permanent basis.
“He was keen to come but of course he had to explore the other possibilities, of which there was a number.”
But it was home comforts which swung it and now high-riding Leicester are reaping the reward.
Rodgers said: “For Youri, football and family is key for him. I think he wanted to come to a club not just for his football, but for the family.
“Bringing a young wife here, this is a club which is absolutely the perfect fit for him because it’s a real good family club, a community club.”