No Mad panic FOXES DON’T FEAR STAR EXIT
FORMER Leicester star Tony Cottee has told Foxes fans not to worry if James Maddison leaves for Arsenal.
The England playmaker, 24, has been vital for Brendan Rodgers’ side over the last couple of years.
But he has been tracked by the Gunners all summer and there are still fears he could leave the King Power Stadium.
However Cottee, who helped Leicester win the 2000 League Cup, said: “James Maddison is a big part of what goes on at Leicester.
“But if he leaves for Arsenal or anyone else, I’m sure that they are planning to replace him.
“They’ve done that with Ben Chilwell, N’Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez – the club haven’t suffered.
“When you lose the nucleus of a team like the 2016 one you normally find you get relegated four years later.
“But Leicester have gone the other way. The club is in a much better position than when it won the league.
“I have confidence that if Maddison was to leave there will be something in the pipeline. They have found some real gems.
They also have players like Harvey Barnes and other good players such as Luke Thomas coming through the academy.”
Leicester have an abundance of options up front with RB Salzburg ace Patson Daka joining Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho in the East Midlands.
Vardy is now 34 but Cottee (below), who enjoyed success in the final stages of his career at Leicester, insists he is not over the hill just yet.
The former Sky Sports pundit, now 56, said: “I think he’s still got a big part to play for Leicester and can play another two or three more seasons.
“He may not have the electric pace of five years ago but he’s still got some pace. You learn to play a different role. He has a mental advantage and is sharp.
“Jamie is coming towards his twilight.
“But I played in the first team as a 17-year-old and Jamie did not play lots of top-flight football when he was younger or get burned out. I think he’s almost a unique player in the Premier League and he appears to be getting even better.
“His goals may have dried up at the end of last season but his overall game is even better.” Leicester have been nearly men over the last two campaigns with two straight fifth-placed finishes. Cottee added: “I feel sorry for the manager and players.
“For two seasons running to lose out on Champions League football on the final day is a bitter pill to swallow. “They’ve pretty much done everything right. “They’ve been in the top four most of the season, then through loss of form or injuries they’ve been punished. You have to be on it 38 games rather than 37. “I really feel for them but believe they will learn. I have so much affection for Leicester and I’m pleased to see how they’ve developed over the last few years. “From where they were 15 years ago it’s been a remarkable transformation.”