Another Step For The Mentality, Says Rodgers

- Leicester City won the FA Community Shield on Saturday
- Kelechi Iheanacho's last-gasp penalty secured a 1-0 win over Manchester City
- Manager Brendan Rodgers was pleased by several aspects of the performance at Wembley
- The Northern Irishman is also encouraged by the mentality which is developing at the Club

Kelechi Iheanacho's late penalty secured a 1-0 victory for the FA Cup holders over champions Manchester City at Wembley as the Club added a second Community Shield triumph to the honours list.

Rodgers, the manager who ended Leicester's 137-year wait for the FA Cup last season, was pleased by several aspects of his side's performance in the showpiece event at the national stadium - pointing to the impact it could have on the players' mentality. 

"It was a really good game," the Northern Irishman told LCFC TV at full-time in the capital. "Obviously, both teams are here on merit after winning their competitions. It was a really good game. I was pleased with the fitness level of the team.

"It’s a great stadium to come and play in, but it can tire your legs out, especially when there’s something to play for, but the players were superb. The spirit was really good and some of the quality of the football was excellent at times.

"It’s very important [to win]. I grew up watching the Charity Shield. It's the winners of the league and the cup, so to come here, it’s another step for the mentality of the team and we’re delighted with the victory."

All three summer signings starred for the Foxes against Pep Guardiola's men at Wembley and Rodgers is pleased to have options heading into the 2021/22 campaign.

"[Boubakary Soumaré's] a very strong player and we need his quality," Rodgers added. "He’s very good on the ball, but he’s physically good as well. Patson [Daka] never gives defenders a rest. He’s always threatening in behind. He wants to run, he wants to move, and he really contributed well.

"It’s not going to be the same XI playing in every game because each game brings something different. They just need to stay ready, train well, stay focused and then, when I pick the team, they can play.

"All of the players, they know they’re going to contribute. I think that’s the important mindset of the team. We’re going to play, hopefully, between 50 and 60 games this season.

"We’re going to need our whole squad. I think, slowly, we’re trying to develop the depth of our squad because, in the last couple of seasons, especially in the league, that’s hurt us. Hopefully, that can help us this season."

The Leicester manager also revealed his players will now celebrate the Community Shield as well as last season's FA Cup triumph later on Saturday to lead into the new Premier League season, which starts next Saturday against Wolverhampton Wanderers at King Power Stadium (3pm BST kick-off).

"We’re going to have a meal tonight because we set a date to celebrate the FA Cup win because everyone had been away over the course of the summer," the 48-year-old explained.

"We’ll have a nice meal to celebrate that. This is nice to have there as well and then we’ll rest for the next day or two and then have a exciting week next week ready for the first game."