MX23RW : Monday, December 16 07:11:33| >> :120:34455:34455:

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers says he is relaxed about Youri Tielemans' future

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers says he is relaxed about Youri Tielemans' future
© Reuters
The midfielder's current contract runs until 2023.

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers insists he is relaxed about Youri Tielemans' future despite contract talks dragging on.

Midfielder Tielemans said this week he was keeping his options open while negotiations over a new deal continue.

He is tied to the King Power Stadium until 2023 and Rodgers said in February he wanted to keep the Belgium international at the Foxes long term.

They host Napoli in their Europa League opener on Thursday and Rodgers remains calm about the ongoing talks with Leicester's £35million record signing.

He said: "There's no drama with it. It's just the reality of the situation. It only becomes a problem to me if there's a lack of commitment or there's not the same intensity but that's never been the case with Youri.

"It's natural, he is a very talented player who is in discussions with the club and we'll see where that takes us.

"I have no idea (why it is dragging on), I concentrate on the football and making sure he is the best player he can be, giving him the support, environment and culture to be that.

"He is a top-class professional and a joy to work with and while he is here – for however long that is – he will always give and I will always give the best to his development."

Rodgers has no fresh injury doubts for the Group C curtain-raiser but James Justin (knee) and Wesley Fofana (broken leg) remain long-term absentees.

The Foxes reached the last 16 of the competition last season before losing to Slavia Prague and Kasper Schmeichel believes they cannot afford to be afraid in their quest for success.

Leicester City Training – Seagrave Training Complex
Leicester keeper Kasper Schmeichel (centre) during a training session ahead of the Europa League clash with Napoli.

Two consecutive fifth-placed finishes in the Premier League and a historic first FA Cup triumph in May has raised expectations with Schmeichel looking for more progress.

He said: "We are in a very good place, we have had a lot of recent success but that means you have a choice to make. Are you content with that or do you want to progress and move on?

"That's what this club wants to do. The club continues to show it in the backing of the training ground, the expansion of the stadium and the transfer market.

"The club is always looking to improve. That's the most important thing to me, when you are in an organisation which has had success the hunger is still there.

"You cannot become complacent and timid. That's when you take the foot off the gas. We have always got to be looking for what's next. We can't use the past for anything, that past is done.

"There are many steps we can still take, we are looking to improve every day and this season is another opportunity."

Napoli and Leicester are two of the favourites to win the competition, before those who drop out of the Champions League group stage try to join via the new play-off round.

The eight Europa League group winners progress automatically to the last 16 with the runners-up playing the eight third-placed teams in the Champions League groups.

Schmeichel added: "It's never been our approach to look at others, we look at ourselves more than anything. When I look at our dressing room I have every reason to be supremely confident.

"There are top-class sides in this competition and others coming in from the Champions League. You can't always say because you don't know who is going to be coming into the competition."

ID:463842:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6934:
Written by
P A

Click here for more stories about Brendan Rodgers

Click here for more stories about Leicester City

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is sent off for AC Milan against Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia on January 26, 2021
Read Next:
Sunday's Serie A predictions including AC Milan vs. Inter Milan
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Bournemouth157352320324
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!