Why Brendan Rodgers and Leicester City could be the perfect fit for each other

The Reds started selling their stars and replacing with players that were unproven. Once the confidence started slipping away, Rodgers reign was always likely to end, despite a 50% win ratio. But it saw him eventually move north of the border to Celtic.

After almost three seasons in charge, he’d won all there was to win in Scottish domestic competitions, winning the treble in both of his full seasons and leaving the Hoops on a path to their third successive treble.

Development of youth

Rodgers has a reputation of giving top young talent a run in the side if he feels they’re good enough. Scott Sinclair was signed by Rodgers at Swansea, and made their focal point in the attack.

The Northern Irishman helped develop Sinclair so much, two years later, the English winger went on to sign for Premier League Champions Manchester City.

At Liverpool, Rodgers gave Raheem Sterling his debut and started easing him into becoming a first choice winger. He went on to form one third of the deadly trio that almost took Liverpool to the title, before eventually transferring to Manchester City for £44m.

Rodgers’ youth record at Celtic is impressive too. While most of the talent he’s had has come in on loan, he’s helped develop them into top stars of the future.

Patrick Roberts came on loan from Manchester City and flourished under Rodgers, attracting the attention of his parent club in his two year spell with the Hoops before being sent out on loan again to Girona.

Other notable youth prospects to have thrived under Rodgers are Filip Benkovic, on loan from Leicester, Oliver Burke, Odsonne Edouard and Kieran Tierney.

This plays into Rodgers hands at Leicester. They’ve got some of the best young players on their books and they’ll help shape the future of the football club.

James Maddison, Harvey Barnes, Ben Chilwell and Demarai Gray have all looked bright at times this season, but they need a manager that buys into the philosophy of playing youth players regularly. Luckily for them, Rodgers does, and it’ll massively further their development.

Attacking style of play

Foxes fans regularly complained about the style of play they saw from their side under former boss Puel. The defensive and slow play style wasn’t pretty to watch, and held back a number of their stars.

Brendan Rodgers likes his sides to play an attacking style, but also maintains a solid defence at the same time.  With Barnes and Gray out on the wings behind Jamie Vardy up front, the attacking style will suit the front line far more favourably than the Puel defensive style.

Maddison is all about finding tight gaps in the opposition midfield and defence, which he’ll be able to do if he’s pushed on further forward and doesn’t have to worry as much about defending.

It’s never a certainty that a manager will succeed, but Rodgers players the style of football the club and fans want to see, and helps younger players flourish. All the ingredients of success are there, can he make it work?

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