RODGERS TO BUY AFTER EVANS INJURY BLOW?
RODGERS HOPING TO KEEP ALL HIS BIG NAMES BUT HE MAY NEED NEW DEFENDER AFTER EVANS INJURY BLOW
LEICESTER City look set to break their summer pattern of a highprofile departures with Brendan Rodgers declaring that the club “don’t have to sell”, writes Jordan Blackwell.
City have sold a big name in each of the past five years, receiving fees that have allowed them to further develop their squad and rise the Premier League ranks.
However, amid rumours surrounding the futures of Youri Tielemans and James Maddison, manager Rodgers has said his players want to stay put, while the message from the hierarchy is that funds do not need to be found through a City star leaving.
Tielemans has been linked to Liverpool but has attracted interest from around Europe in the past, while Maddison, who missed Saturday’s game against QPR to attend the birth of his son, is a target for Arsenal.
“In conversations with the club, we don’t have to sell,” Rodgers said. “That’s something that’s been made clear.
“The players want to stay. It’s a really exciting time at the club.
“There’s lots of gossip and speculation around but I’m loving working with the guys here, they love being here and we certainly have no need to sell.
“So I would suspect we’re looking to keep our best players.”
Rodgers added that some fringe players may leave in search of more game time, but it seems the focus remains on strengthening the squad.
While City want a winger, their priority for the next month may switch to bringing in a centreback if Jonny Evans’ injury does not improve.
The defender, pictured, who missed the final few games of last season with a foot problem, has still not fully recovered. Amid concerns that he will not be able to start the season, Rodgers said the club may have to dip into the market to find an alternative.
“(Evans’ injury) is ongoing,” the manager said.
“He’s felt more comfort with it, but it’s one of those injuries that takes that little bit of time.
“We have to assess it. If it’s not going to get much better, it’s something we need to look at and if we need to go into the market then to get another centre-half.
“At this moment in time, he’s progressing well, he’s putting more weight on it and we’ll see over the next week where we’re at with him.
“(Evans starting the season) will be questionable, because he hasn’t trained with the squad yet and he’ll take a wee bit of time to get up to speed.
“He’s still working, he’s still doing a lot of work, just not with the squad yet.”