Brendan Rodgers understands Wesley Fofana ‘dream’ as Leicester look to kick on

The 21-year-old defender was omitted from the matchday squad for the 2-1 defeat by Southampton amid interest from Chelsea.

Brendan Rodgers is confident Leicester will kick on should wantaway star Wesley Fofana leave this summer, pointing to the club’s successes replacing the likes of Harry Maguire and Ben Chilwell.

The 21-year-old defender was omitted from the matchday squad for Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at home by Southampton having grown unsettled by Chelsea’s interest.

The transfer deadline is fast approaching and Leicester boss Rodgers appears unsure what the future holds in regards to Fofana but confident they will refresh effectively should he leave.

“The club has done that, certainly in my time and probably before,” he said.

“I came in and lost Harry that first summer, we brought in James Justin and Dennis Praet and other players who could help the squad.

“When we lost Ben Chilwell we were able to bring in Tim Castagne and Wesley.

“So the reality for a club like ours is you can’t be afraid to do that as long as it’s good business for the club, and if it’s good for the player it’s normally a win-win situation.

“But that decision then will be ultimately down to the feeling of the club.”

Rodgers refrained from any kind of public criticism of Fofana, instead praising him for his quality and attitude across his time at the King Power Stadium.

But given Leicester handed him a new deal until at least 2027 in March at a time when he was recovering from a broken leg and ankle ligament damage, talk about loyalty is natural.

“I know football and how it works,” Rodgers said. “It’s an amazing profession.

“It’s a business for clubs, for players it’s a dream. They’re trying to fulfil their dreams.

“So I understand it for both, it’s why I provide the bridge in terms of trying to advise him what’s the best way to behave.

“That’s why I have always spoken so well of Harry Maguire, because of how he was when he was here at the time when he went for a world-record fee for a defender.

“I’ve been in these situations before so you manage it how you see fit and my experience helps in these moments.”

Asked if Fofana would be disappointed if he stays, Rodgers added: “I’m not sure. It all depends on the player. You can’t always say for definite how it’s going to be.

“For some players when the window shuts it’s a good moment because they can totally focus on playing again and getting on with their careers.

“Some players may feel they have lost the opportunity of a dream. They may just never be the same so that’s always the danger.”

Youri Tielemans and James Maddison are others to have been linked with moves away from Leicester, whose only summer signing to date is Alex Smithies as a third-choice goalkeeper.

Any additions are largely dependent on players being sold and time is running out in this window.

“That’s the huge challenge,” Rodgers said. “If you do it last minute then you’re really in danger… already our squad is weaker than last season.

“We don’t have Ademola Lookman here and he was fantastic for us. You look at Ricardo Pereira not here (through injury).

“So as time goes on of course if you lose one of your best players and you can’t replace them with the quality, then it doesn’t make sense.”