Brendan Rodgers refutes Wesley Fofana to Chelsea transfer rumours

Leicester City’s Wesley Fofana has not submitted a transfer request, according to manager Brendan Rodgers. The Northern Irishman declared during his Thursday press conference that no further bids have been made for the French defender, but that he would be 100% prepared to leave Fofana out of the starting line-up for tomorrow’s Southampton fixture if the No. 3 was not in the right headspace.

"“We are not a team 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”.– Brendan Rodgers"

Fofana signed a five-year contract back in March, which has been the source of frustration from supporters regarding his alleged conduct with respect to a potential Chelsea transfer. In the press release announcing said deal at the time, the Frenchman said:

"“I’m really happy to sign a new contract. It shows the Club have confidence in me offering me a contract to 2027. I’m really happy to be here. It’s my Club, I love the fans, so I’m really happy and really looking forward to being back playing.”"

Fast forward five months, and the mood around Fofana and the Foxes could not be any more different. It remains to be seen whether he will feature in this weekend’s fixture, but the very fact that Rodgers answered the question around that so openly suggests that his omission is feasible.

The defender’s potential absence could mean a change in formation, particularly with the rumoured return of Harvey Barnes after a short spell on the sidelines. The winger’s enforced exclusion has led to the manager deploying a back three system, with James Justin and Timothy Castagne hugging the touchlines from a wing-back position, but this combination of factors could see Rodgers go with a back four for the first time this season.

On the Southampton fixture, the manager suggested that 4-3-3 could be an option, and told that Barnes will be available to take part in some capacity.

"“It certainly opens up that possibility if there is a winger that gives you that speed in the game.”“We’ll decide if he can be in from the start. He’s looked good in training.“He may be available to start. It might not be 90 minutes. We’ll assess that tomorrow.”"

Rodgers seems sure, for now, that Wesley Fofana is going nowhere, and with rumours of Barnes and James Maddison trotting off to pastures new now dying down, it appears that this transfer window might end up being very quiet for Leicester City. The fans, manager, and all involved will hope that with having a settled squad and fewer injury concerns, that the Foxes can push on from their eighth place finish of last season.