Leicester City are finally ridding themselves of one of their worst-ever signings, an acquisition that pinpoints and epitomises the ill-advised, counterintuitive and counterproductive recruitment at King Power Stadium over four or five years precisely. Yes, it was an easy guess – Jannik Vestergaard is the man in question.
This writer cannot honestly recall even one member of the Blue Army admitting to desiring the centre back on the team before he joined unceremoniously. As a matter of fact, most City supporters had seen him regularly demolished in Premier League action – including by his future teammates like Jamie Vardy in opposition colours.
Consequently, whenever rumours first surfaced linking the club to the Denmark international, those historic links were viewed with anything from hopeful suspicion to outright ridicule across the fan base. The LCFC support simply could not understand reported interest in a defender who had struggled to establish himself as an effective top flight operator, particularly when reports spoke of a fee reaching the stupefying sum of £15 million.
Most of all, the bulk of that irritation and anger was directed squarely at Jon Rudkin, then Leicester's director of football for what appeared to be a senseless and mind-blowing obsession with plucking staff and players from Southampton at almost any opportunity. So when reliable reports such as that from The Telegraph's John Percy now confirm Vestergaard is finally set to be discarded from the squad, it was music to many ears across Leicestershire – you can trust that sentiment will be echoed widely among the support.
The former Southampton man even became something of a byword for detachment during his time at the club, with one well-documented episode seeing him bring his own dog to the Seagrave Training Ground rather than make alternative arrangements for its care. A choice many viewed as wildly disrespectful and unprofessional of a high-earning athlete and an indictment of LCFC as a whole.
Jannik Vestergaard the on-field embodiment of Leicester City's downfall
That scenario also served as one of the ultimate examples of how player power appeared to run wild and unchecked at Leicester during the latter stages of their EPL tenure. Standards were seemingly set aside for those who had already secured significant long-term agreements.
"Jannik Vestergaard, the Denmark international, has held talks about terminating his contract. The former Southampton defender is understood to not have reported for training since the squad’s return last week as discussions continue over a settlement on his deal, which has a year to run."The Telegraph
Now, in a move that feels entirely in keeping with his underwhelming spell, Vestergaard has already failed to report for training sessions called by new manager Russell Martin as the club look to move him on permanently. While it remains possible his absence comes with some form of dispensation agreed behind the scenes as both sides work to terminate or alter the terms of his undeservedly lucrative and thoroughly annoying contract, it is a fitting end to a spell that never once looked like working out in City’s favour.
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