Who’s to blame for Leicester relegation? Part 5: centrebacks

Caglar Soyuncu – Games (9) – Goals (1)

One of the burning questions all Leicester City fans want to ask is what exactly was Caglar Soyuncu doing in training that was so below the levels required? Rodgers threw this accusation out following one of many defeats at the start of the season, amidst rumours that Soyuncu’s head had been turned and he was planning a move to Atletico Madrid. That all seemed to go quiet in both transfer windows and the Turk was barely seen playing this season. Rodgers selected him only three times this season which wasn’t too much of an issue given Soyuncu’s previous inconsistencies.

But when Dean Smith arrived, Soyuncu was immediately in the team and performing out of his skin. Although the accusation of running down a contract and lacking motivation has rightly been thrown at many of the Foxes players this season, with the Turk it just doesn’t hold water as he put in some inspiring displays that contradicted Rodgers’ earlier season assertion. The fact that this prize asset will be leaving for free is a financial disaster for the club.

Jannik Vestergaard – Leicester City Games (3) – Goals (0)

Three solitary cup appearances for the Dane who rejected a move to Fulham in the summer and who spoke out against Rodgers in an interview in March 2023. He also turned down a loan move to Hertha Berlin with his partner expecting to give birth not long after.

All these things are well within Vestergaard’s rights to do, but when choosing players, one needs to question not only the desire of the players but also their suitability to the club. More bizarrely this was allegedly a recommendation from the Northern Irishman in Summer 2021. With massive failings on all parts, I doubt many City fans will be keen to see him ever in the famous Foxes shirt again.