‘A CHARMING YOUNG MAN, NOT LIKE HE IS PORTRAYED’
RODGERS GIVES STAUNCH BACKING TO MADDISON AFTER TABLOID PICTURES
BRENDAN Rodgers launched a staunch defence of midfielder James Maddison following accusations of unprofessionalism during the winter break,
The Leicester City manager backed his playmaker, who was pictured partying in Dubai during his week off, saying the 23-year-old’s critics “portray him as something he’s not”.
Maddison was criticised earlier in the season when he was taken out of the England squad with illness only to then be pictured watching in a casino as the Three Lions lost 2-1 to the Czech Republic.
But Rodgers said the narrative is not a fair reflection of a “charming, young man”.
“Some people are trying to portray him as something that he’s not,” said Rodgers in yesterday’s weekly press conference.
“Thankfully, I know the reality, he’s a top-class young professional who focuses on his game and wants to be better.
“I can only judge him on my time here, nearly a year now, and he’s been absolutely brilliant for me. And outside of the pitch, he’s been an absolute joy.
“He’s a charming, young man, really respectful. He really respects what he has here at Leicester. He’s just a pleasure to work with.
“What people’s narrative is – a lot of the time he can’t control. People want to fit a narrative around him so I don’t worry so much about that. I know the reality of what he is and what he gives.
“It’s unfortunate. We’re supposedly in this great world now where everyone ‘cares’, this wonderful atmosphere where everyone wants to look after you. It’s rubbish, because the first thing people do is try to stitch you up. It’s contradictory. It’s unbelievable.
“So there’s something framed around him which he’ll have to live with but that’s someone else’s narrative.
“This is a 23-year-old boy who is single and who’s been given a week free.
“We try to educate them in