Ben Foster was, by any objective measure, a decent top-level goalkeeper during his enjoyable career. He is also, in the digital age, seemingly a decent enough chap and not entirely an insufferable sports broadcasting.
That being said, he was absolutely incorrect regarding specific Leicester City claims this week. Incident, it brings this publication no pleasure to highlight such errors, however, FoL do attempt to legitimately protect as well as speak up for the club in the face of careless or ignorant suggestions.
So Ben, if you are reading, please understand this is nothing personal: it is simply Leicester business, which you have inserted yourself into as a supposed expert. This writer is acutely aware that it is impossible to be a true authority on the granular intricacies of more than one club.
Ben Foster's confused Leicester City assertion
What did the former England international initially state about City before addressing his latest blunder? Basically, Foster declared Kasper Schmeichel's departure as the exact moment that began Leicester's ultimate downfall.
Yet, in truth, the decline had already set in amidst Brendan Rodgers' tactical obstinance. Whilst the powers of the Leicester legend in goal were already beginning to wane.
Schmeichel was also increasingly unsuited to Rodgers' detrimental sweeper-keeper and zonal systems. Though it is obviously noteworthy that the two stoppers remain friends - say no more!
Meanwhile, as Foster wrongly addressed various aspects of LCFC's plight, he made a significant oversight regarding the financial architecture of the squad. There is a prevailing, unnecessary worry that a Leicester side facing potential demotion must pay overpaid players their full, exorbitant wages regardless of the division.
"I know there’s one or two that are out of contract but there’s a couple that are still going to be on these wages in League One. You’re not going to get rid of them because there’s no team in the world that’s going to want to take those wages on.
“Players would have to take a massive pay cut to go somewhere. Those players will say to Leicester: ‘I’m not moving anywhere unless you pay me.’ It’s a real tough position."
This, as Foster implies, would be extremely harmful regarding Profit and Sustainability regulations and broader monetary health. However, the ex-West Bromwich Albion man simply did not do his homework on this particular front.
"Leicester's wage bill would have to fall by about 30-40 per cent - some of that will happen naturally, with relegation clauses in players' contracts."Rob Dorsett - Sky Sports
The King Power hierarchy, quite prudently (for once), did include specific relegation clauses within their contracts to lower salaries significantly should the club be demoted, as has been widely reported. Whilst there are always challenges in managing a wage bill, the notion that the club is entirely hamstrung by top-tier remuneration in lower leagues is a fundamental misunderstanding of the contractual reality.
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