Why Leicester decided not to sign James Tarkowski for free

Foxes of Leicester explain the reason why Leicester City decided not to try to sign ex-Burnley centreback James Tarkowski on a free deal. The centerback is now going to play for Frank Lampard’s Everton – a direct Premier League rival.

This scenario is inevitably going to be difficult, if not awkward, to explain to Leicester fans. Technically the reasoning contradicts previous intentions and actions. So, here goes nothing.

Basically, the Foxes apparently no longer wanted to capture Tarkowski, even though he was available for free. Not to mention the fact that LCFC previously bid £30million for the England international whilst tracking him for two years, as per Leicester Mercury. I know, right – strange.

While I’m at it, adding the now former Burnley man to the ranks at King Power Stadium would have been ideal, in my opinion. Especially for no transfer fee. Many of the Blue Army didn’t consider the aforementioned cost of £30m too ridiculous at the time. When considering the outrageous con pulled on Manchester United for Harry Maguire’s unreal price tag, the Clarets valuation was fair-ish, I suppose.

As for Brendan Rodgers’ reasoning with regard to the 29-year-old being unneeded on Filbert Way, we do have insight. The justification the East Midlands side’s manager divulged in January as to why recruitment wasn’t adding a proven centreback to the roster was revealing:

"“I don’t think we need to worry so much about experience. We’ve got enough experience in and around the squad. It’s just about profile in terms of how we play, what our team is about.“It’s about keeping a high line, so you need that recovery speed. It’s more that type of profile I’m looking for.”"

Essentially Rodgers believed that the squad had enough “experience” in defence and no additional backup or quality was needed. Hmm. It looks like the team are now stuck with the outstandingly bad signing that is Jannik Vestergaard instead of Tarkowski – and had to pay for the privilege. Unhappy days. Although, surely there is a performer inside of the Denmark defender somewhere?!

This one is particularly hard to take because Rodgers also recently stared, in divergent fashion, that the Foxes require one or two ‘CBs’ this summer. Yet the reported £100,000-per-week wages Tarkowski shall earn at Goodison Park sours the prospect somewhat, to be honest.