Players told by Brendan Rodgers that they had no futures at Leicester City will be able to get themselves back into his reckoning at the club. Despite those previous messages to fringe players, Rodgers insists he is open enough to welcome them back into contention. Speaking just before the end of the transfer window,
Brendan Rodgers said: “It’s not about building bridges, it’s just being honest and reinforcing where they sit in the structure of the squad. You’re thinking that players will want to play football. Most do. When you’re open to them and you can speak openly, and tell them where it lies for them, that’s all you can do. I don’t fall out with players. I speak openly. They appreciate the honesty. It’s down to their decision, or their agent’s decision, if they can get a club or whatnot. But what they can never do is say they haven’t been told. They understand the position.”
Rodgers also knows from experience that those players can prove him wrong and show a different side to their game and become key members of the squad again.
Brendan Rodgers said: “I’ve been in a position before where I’ve told a player that he doesn’t fit my style or doesn’t fit my way of working but then they’ve shown me in training that they can change and I see a different side. That was to the point where players I’ve said that to before I’ve actually transferred them when I’ve gone on to other clubs. I’m an open coach, I’m not closed, I know exactly how I want to work, how I want to play, I know the type of players I want. But I’m always open for players to prove me wrong, or prove that they have a place in the squad or team.”