In six of the last seven transfer windows, Leicester City has sold a high-profile player to Chelsea, Manchester United, or Manchester City for a total of £327 million.
The sale of a key player this summer would be consistent with Leicester City’s model, according to manager Brendan Rodgers, who has expressed confidence in the club’s ability to find a suitable replacement for any departing star.
The city avoided selling any of its most important players during the January transfer window, but it may be a different story in the summer. Manchester City is the latest club to be linked with James Maddison, the club’s most valuable asset, who has already piqued the interest of Newcastle and Tottenham.
Maddison’s contract with City expires at the end of the season, making this the final summer window in which the club can profit from his departure. That is if he does not agree to a new contract.
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However, Rodgers is unconcerned about the potential sale of a star player. He claims he cannot “fall in love” with a player because losing them to a bigger club is a natural process for a club like City.
“It’s something that’s always been done,” he said. “Apart from in the pandemic, where it was really tough financially and the market value we were going to put on a player maybe wasn’t going to be there, I think that’s always the case. That should never make you nervous. It’s all about the pipeline of players, bringing in the next one.
“The model is present. If you can bring in players and develop them to the level they can do, they will always be of interest, gaining them more money and financial abilities later in life. It all comes down to bringing in the next one.
“Early in my career, I had a player who I was devastated to lose because I thought it would have a significant impact on how my team played. I was young in my career and was devastated when this player decided to leave on a free transfer. I never imagined we’d be able to play the way we wanted without his big qualities.
“However, we ended up bringing in someone who was brilliant and performed admirably. And it taught me never to fall in love with a player at that time.
“I appreciate the talent and enjoy working with players, but players come and go. And if they do, all you have to do is make sure you have the next ones on hand. That was something I discovered early in my career. Footballers have limited careers and must make the most of them.
“I am a custodian of the club, I have to look after the club and make sure we can try to get the next one in. That’s exactly what we’ll do here.”
Except for 2021, City has sold one of their high-profile players to one of the Premier League’s “big six” every summer since winning the title. N’Golo Kante, Danny Drinkwater, Riyad Mahrez, Harry Maguire, Ben Chilwell, and Wesley Fofana are among those who have left for a fee of £327 million.
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