Rodgers backs Maddison over casino visit ‘mistake’

Brendan Rodgers has defended “genuinely good boy” James Maddison and insisted the Leicester City playmaker has learnt a harsh lesson after he was photographed in a casino.

Maddison was withdrawn from England duty last week with illness and was then seen at a gambling table playing poker during the Euro 2020 qualifier against the Czech Republic on Friday night.

Rodgers, the Leicester manager, said: “The perception was he was in there and spending a load of money: not the case. His dad taught him to play poker, he played growing up. But not everyone who plays poker is losing thousands of pounds.

“You have to learn a lesson, because being a top player can be boring. It’s in every day, it’s preparing, it’s getting home, it’s resting, it’s sleeping, it’s recovering, it’s playing. He knows the environment is here to improve and develop. You won’t always get told what you want to hear but he understands he’s maybe made a slight mistake in where he went to.”

Maddison watched the first half of England’s game against the Czechs at home before watching the second in the casino. The 22-year-old has been roundly criticised and it is understood Gareth Southgate, the England manager, was unhappy. But Rodgers claims the £21 million signing does not deserve a reputation as the Premier League’s latest tearaway.

“James made not one of his better decisions. It’s maybe the first blow he’s had as a young player coming through, but he is a learner and he will be better for it,” he said. “I’ve seen various stories about his arrogance and his mentality, and they’re totally false. He’s desperate to play for England. That’s his ambition, that’s his life. He is a genuinely good boy who is improving.”

Rodgers revealed that Maddison’s parents had flown to Prague in the hope of watching their son make his international debut, before he was withdrawn with flu.

Rodgers has also had talks with striker Jamie Vardy, whose wife Rebekah was involved in a Twitter row with Wayne Rooney’s wife, Coleen, last week.

“I just wanted to let him know that we’re here to support him,” he said. “He was back into his training. Jamie’s fine, you don’t get to be the level he’s at, and the type of player he is, without being able to park any distractions.”