Rodgers makes Mendy error that could cost Leicester

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers made a major error of judgement regarding midfielder Nampalys ‘Papy’ Mendy – and it could cost the Foxes a revived season.

Mendy is now the proud owner of a glistening, freshly rejuvenated career at Leicester. And nobody deserves that more than the unassuming, N’golo Kante-like, diminutive midfield dynamo. Whenever the Senegal African Cup of Nations winner has been called upon for LCFC – he has delivered in 95 per cent of his appearances.

While still underrated, the ex-Nice man won over the majority of the East Midlands side’s faithful. This status change emerged after he carved out a role of importance as the main understudy for Nigerian linchpin in the middle, Wilfred Ndidi.

Some, including myself, rate Mendy almost as highly as his Foxes counterpart: the Senegalese passes more rapidly and accurately, setting up attacks. Nevertheless, Ndidi’s industry, tackling and intercepting statistics are pacesetting. Now that the Super Eagles star is likely unavailable for the remainder of the 2022/23 campaign, Mendy is the realistic option to step up and fill the gaping midfield hole.

Though Mendy is proven as well as trusted in the Premier League, unfortunately Rodgers made a rather glaring error by disregarding the 29-year-old with regard to the UEFA Europa Conference League roster. Therefore the former will not be appearing in the competition that could save a relatively poor term under the Northern Irishman. Let’s hope Boubakary Soumare or Hamza Choudhury can replicate either missing athlete’s prowess.

Defensive selection conundrum for Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers

Astoundingly, ‘BR’ may now have five fully fit senior centre-backs to choose from: Jonny Evans, Wesley Fofana, Caglar Soyuncu, Daniel Amartey and Jannik Vestergaard. Clearly Evans and Fofana as a pairing will get the nod in vital clashes; I feel Soyuncu will lose his place, justifiably.

Additionally, this summer is probably the optimum time for the King Power club to cash in on the Turkey international. Amartey is arguably the next choice centre-half in the squad; meanwhile, Vestergaard has improved but remains Foxes of Leicester’s fifth choice ‘CB’.