Wesley Fofana could be DROPPED if he is not ‘focused and committed to Leicester’ admits manager Brendan Rodgers – with the £80m rated defender targeted by Chelsea who have had two bids rejected
- Chelsea have had two bids rejected for Wesley Fofana in pursuit of centre-back
- Fofana has started both of Leicester City’s Premier League games this season
- However, the Foxes have not won either while conceding division high six goals
- Brendan Rodgers insists he will only field players who are committed to Foxes
Brendan Rodgers is prepared to drop Chelsea target Wesley Fofana on Saturday if he decides the defender is not in the right frame of mind to play for Leicester against Southampton.
The Foxes boss dropped a strong hint that the Blues’ two bids, both of which had been rejected, had left Fofana unsettled.
The 21-year-old wants to join Chelsea but Leicester insist he is not for sale, though an offer in the region of £80million – the world-record fee Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire three years ago – may give them a decision to make.
Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana is subject to interest from Chelsea over a transfer
Asked whether he could leave out Fofana if he had doubts about his current mentality, Rodgers said: ‘Yes, 100 per cent. If the players aren’t totally focused and committed to the club and being here, or for whatever reason just aren’t in the right mindset, that won’t help us.
‘We have to ensure everyone is really focused in order for us to play the best game we can. Is he in the right frame of mind to start? I will always assess that after the sessions.
‘We sit down as coaches with the analytical team, study the opponent make sure everything is there and then we’ll pick the best team to win the game.’
Brendan Rodgers admits he would be open to dropping Fofana if he has lost focus
Fofana has featured in both of Leicester’s Premier League games, conceding six goals
Fofana joined Leicester only two years ago for about £31.5m from St Etienne but is regarded as one of the top young centre-backs in the game and is keen to move to Stamford Bridge.
He has played in both Leicester’s opening fixtures this term, the 2-2 draw with Brentford on the opening day of the campaign, and last weekend’s 4-2 defeat at Arsenal.
‘Mentally he is fine, but as you can imagine for a 21-year-old with the spotlight on you, talking about what you maybe can earn at another club and where you can play, it’s a challenge,’ said Rodgers.
Thomas Tuchel wants the centre-back to bolster his Chelsea defence for this season
‘That’s the honest answer. He’s been absolutely brilliant since his first day here. He’s been fantastic when he has played, the club stuck by him when he was injured.
‘It’s a challenge for any player, in particular young one, but he knows he’s loved here and this is an important step for his career, being here at Leicester and having more development.
‘But it’s natural when other clubs are interested in you because of your talent, and especially with the money that comes with that. It certainly makes you think that’s for sure.’
