Brendan Rodgers criticizes James Maddison, Youri Tielemans: Leicester

A losing visit to Burnley was Leicester City’s latest disappointing result this weekend. A midfield duo also received criticism from the Foxes boss.

It’s been a tough couple of fixtures for Leicester City in the Premier League: losing at home to Southampton at home, along with defeat on the road at Burnley. Dissatisfaction was the reaction to the latest results from the away section, on social media and in Foxes supporters’ living rooms.

Harvey Barnes, a somewhat surprise starter after some poor displays, scored a simply brilliant solo goal to put the East Midlanders ahead. Though finishes from former Fox Chris Wood and midfielder Ashley Westwood gave the Clarets all three points.

While Brendan Rodgers has made a terrific impact on the Leicester team and its style, these two conclusions will worry him slightly. Although he was as upbeat as usual for the post-match press conference.

Essentially the Northern believed his side did enough to win the game, he was happy with chances created as well as thinking his team were deserving winners. However, he also thought Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope was exceptional: thwarting first Jamie Vardy then his penalty. Meanwhile substitute and second striker Kelechi Iheanacho couldn’t find the net either.

Leicester City players at fault

Although the City boss was satisfied with efforts and attacking intent from his players, there was also something that annoyed the mild-mannered Rodgers. During Sean Dyche’s outfit’s second goal, Youri Tielemans and James Maddison ignored the run of goalscorer Ashley Westwood.

The 29-year-old broke from inside the Leicester half, Tielemans did not attempt to get back or track the run of his opponent. Maddison, to be fair, attempted to get into the defending penalty box but did nothing to hamper the Burnley man –  who promptly scored the decider. This minimal effort from Tielemans and Maddison is, of course, unacceptable.

After the contest, Rodgers said this about his midfielders:

"“I suppose the biggest disappointment is the second goal because I would expect my midfield players to track runs into the box and [Ashley] Westwood had a greater desire to score than what we did to stop it.”Via lcfc.com"