Brendan Rodgers believes the narrative of Leicester City’s season should not be a negative one if they finish eighth. After failing to live up to the heights of the previous two seasons, when they challenged for the Champions League places, City’s season has largely been labelled an underwhelming one. But that is a harsh verdict, according to Rodgers. He said in his post-match press conference following the 1-1 draw with Chelsea
Brendan Rodgers said: “It’s been lop-sided for us this season. We were three or four games behind teams this year, and we had the challenges with the injuries and European football. If you look at it, we have an opportunity to finish eighth. If you contextualise the season, if we get to eighth and a European semi-final, through all the criticism the players have had this season and we’ve taken as a team, apart from the top six and West Ham being above us, who have supposedly have had a fantastic season, then it shows you how well these players have done. Next year, we’ll reset, come back in the summer, be stronger, and hopefully we will be up there disrupting the top teams again.”
City extended their unbeaten run to three games on Thursday night as their defence held firm to keep out third-placed Chelsea. James Maddison’s early strike put them ahead before Marcos Alonso volleyed in an equaliser, and then City professionally held on to their point.
Brendan Rodgers said: “We had to battle really hard. They’re a top-class side. We got off to a great start with an outstanding goal. Then you know you have to defend for long periods. I said at half-time we needed to have more belief with the ball, and more quality. But the defending was good, good structure, good concentration, when we had to we got contact on it. Apart from that one chance where Pulisic should score, we managed the pressure really well. With more quality we might have got through more. We had to battle and we deserved that.”
