‘He’s shown his qualities’: Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers talks up Wout Faes
The Belgian defender has impressed since joining the Foxes from Reims
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Brendan Rodgers has praised Wout Faes as a bright spark in a difficult start to the season for Leicester.
The Belgian defender joined the Foxes from Reims at the beginning of September and has started the last four Premier League games.
With Jonny Evans again set to sit out Thursday’s clash against Leeds as he continues to battle a calf problem, Faes’ leadership qualities will be all the more important.
Rodgers told a press conference: “He’s settling in really well. He’s shown his qualities. He’s aggressive in the air, he defends forward, he’s got a good passing range.
“Those leadership qualities are important. You don’t need to know the club for 10 years to be a leader. He has a quiet assurance about him. He plays with experience, even though he’s only 24. He brings authority on the training ground and takes that onto the field.”
Faes has helped Leicester keep two clean sheets in their last three matches, but it is going forward where Rodgers now wants to see more quality as his side look to climb out of the bottom three.
“It’s that extra bit of quality in the final third, picking the right pass, that we need,” he said.
“We are at the highest level where just flashing it over towards the goal isn’t enough. We need to get the quality to pick players out and get numbers in the box.”
Even three points on Thursday would not be enough to lift Leicester out of the relegation zone, but they will hope to take advantage of Leeds’ current difficulties.
After an excellent start to the season, Jesse Marsch’s side have picked up just two points from their last six matches.
Rodgers said: “There is a lot to like about them, the players they’ve brought in and their profile.
“They play with intensity and pressure and they can make it really difficult for you. They haven’t won in a number of games, but they can be dangerous.”
James Maddison sits out the clash through suspension.