Rodgers: The Mentality Is There, But We Can Improve

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Rodgers: The Mentality Is There, But We Can Improve

Brendan Rodgers believes Leicester City will find a higher level of performance as their fitness increases over the coming weeks and months.

2021-09-01T07:24:00.000Z

Rodgers: The Mentality Is There, But We Can Improve

Brendan Rodgers believes Leicester City will find a higher level of performance as their fitness increases over the coming weeks and months.

2021-09-01T07:24:00.000Z

Rodgers: The Mentality Is There, But We Can Improve

Brendan Rodgers believes Leicester City will find a higher level of performance as their fitness increases over the coming weeks and months.

2021-09-01T07:24:00.000Z

Rodgers: The Mentality Is There, But We Can Improve

Brendan Rodgers believes Leicester City will find a higher level of performance as their fitness increases over the coming weeks and months.

2021-09-01T07:24:00.000Z

Rodgers: The Mentality Is There, But We Can Improve

Brendan Rodgers believes Leicester City will find a higher level of performance as their fitness increases over the coming weeks and months.

2021-09-01T07:24:00.000Z

- Leicester City head into the international break with six Premier League points- Manager Brendan Rodgers has isolated areas where the Foxes can improve in the near future- City begin their UEFA Europa League group stage campaign against Napoli in September- Rodgers also provides an update on the fitness of Jonny Evans and Jannik Vestergaard

The Foxes secured two Premier League victories from their opening three matches in 2021/22, most recently leaving Carrow Road with a 2-1 victory over Norwich City, and will begin their UEFA Europa League adventure in September.

First tackling Napoli on Filbert Way, after a top-flight fixture against champions Manchester City, Leicester's upcoming fixture schedule excites Rodgers. However, the manager admits he is looking for improvements from his players as several now depart for the first international break of the season.

"I'll be happy for the boys to go away on international duty because they can play and add to their fitness," Rodgers said. "It's always difficult in this first three-to-five games. You're always searching [for fitness]. If you look at the likes of Harvey [Barnes], he's still trying to get up to speed fitness-wise.

"One or two of the other lads too. It is what it is. The boys will work hard, the guys who will stay. They'll have a few days off as well, but then we'll be really excited about the month ahead after it. We've got some great games and we're into European football again.

"It's just about patience and time and work. That will improve as the season goes on."

Despite picking up six points from a possible nine and lifting the FA Community Shield in August, Rodgers is particularly looking for better play in possession of the ball when the squad is back together following the international break.

"We're a long way off where I'd want them to be, but I'm still really happy with the mentality and the commitment of the team," he added. "This season, we've got to keep looking to improve and develop. Of course, we've got really important players out, but I still have faith in those who are playing.

"We gave [Norwich] oxygen in the game when we didn't need to. We gave the ball away far too cheaply, so we need to be more precise and smoother with our passing. That will then allow us to attack better because the worse you play, the more you run.

"I like them to run and press of course, but we need to play to a higher standard, and we will do. While you're searching for that, it's so important that you're not down about it. We know that will improve. We have that mentality to fight and to run and to win. That can take you a long way.

"We've had two wins out of three and it's been a decent start for us."

Jonny Evans and Jannik Vestergaard remain out for the Foxes, but the manager is hopeful that, over time, both centre-backs will be able to return to contention. Vestergaard has been absent since the opening day win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Evans has been out since May.

"We're just looking to progress on that front," Rodgers said. "Hopefully, in terms of fitness, we can have one or two of them back. We're obviously not going to be fully fit because Jonny hasn't played a game since he came off in the FA Cup Final. He's still working on his fitness and likewise with Jannik.

"He hadn't been in that long before he picked up his injury. It's just one of those things. We get on with it and we're hopeful that, as the season goes on, we can get this squad fit and ready. When everyone is available, we've got a squad that can make us really, really competitive.

"Fingers crossed we get them back and we're really excited by them coming back with the games that we have. We'll look forward to that when it arrives."

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