It doesn’t Madder if he goes
EXCLUSIVE
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 (below), who helped Leicester to 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 Leicester are planning to replace him.
“They’ve done that with replacing 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 they won the league.” Leicester now have an abundance of options up front, with RB Salzburg ace Patson Daka joining Jamie Vardy and Kelechi Iheanacho.
Vardy is now 34 but Cottee said: “I think he’s still got a big part for Leicester and can play 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 experience and learn to play a different role. He has a mental advantage and is sharp.
“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.
“He’s almost a unique player in the Premier League and he appears to be getting even better.”
Leicester have been nearly men over the last two campaigns with two straight fifth-placed finishes.
Cottee added: “For two seasons running to lose out on Champions League football on the final day is a bitter pill to swallow.
“I really feel for them but believe they will learn.”
MANAGER: Brendan Rodgers BIG SIGNING: Patson Daka (right) £27m from Red Bull Salzburg KEY MAN: James Maddison (midfield) VERDICT: Regardless of Maddison, Leicester have a good chance of the top six again. But it’s touch and go for step up to the Champions League.