‘STARS WOULD BE MADD TO LEAVE FOXES’
BRENDAN RODGERS hopes this can be the first summer in six years that Leicester get to keep their biggest stars.
The Foxes look set to hold on to James Maddison despite Arsenal’s interest. The Gunners had Maddison on their radar for months but instead opted for
Martin Odegaard last week.
It has calmed fears among Leicester fans that their talented No.10 could be lured away.
Now Leicester look set to keep all their top men after losing the likes of Ben Chilwell, Harry Maguire, Riyad Mahrez, Danny Drinkwater and N’golo Kante in previous years.
Foxes boss Rodgers said: “Those players felt the need to move on and further their careers, which is absolutely fine as that’s the nature of the game.
“This summer the players have been able to reflect on where we’re at as a team and a club to move forward, and they feel they want to be a part of that.
“That’s obviously great news. Some of the biggest clubs in the world will lose their players.
“You’ve always got to be preparing this pipeline of players so, if you do lose them, you’ve got the next ones coming in.
“That’s something we’re very clear on here at the club. There’s obviously been things around James this summer but the reality is there was never an inquiry or a bid made. “There was no drama.” Leicester visit West Ham tonight with 24-year-old Maddison (above) expected to pull the strings behind Jamie Vardy.
He is under contract until 2024 after joining from Norwich for £22.5million in June 2018.
Rodgers added: “James has looked fantastic in training. He is working on his fitness.
“He is such a technical player, who has a wonderful view of the game.
“If he stays clear of some of the little niggles he has had, I am sure it will be a great season for him.”
David Moyes claims Michail Antonio is heading into the West Ham record books because he has finally grown up.
Antonio can become the club’s all-time top scorer in the Premier League if he scores his 48th goal in the competition tonight.
Earlier in his Hammers career, Antonio – now 31 – was dropped and fined for poor timekeeping.
But Moyes said: “Since I put Micky at centre forward, he’s really produced. He’s got older and appreciates how you get longevity.
“The way you keep your career going is by keeping yourself in great condition – eating well and training well. Getting as much rest as you can. He’s probably fitter than he’s ever been.”