Newcastle United ‘title contenders,’ says Leicester City manager after Magpies inflict Premier League defeat

Leicester City’s manager Brendan Rodgers gestures on the touchline during the Premier League football match between Leicester City and Newcastle United at King Power Stadium in Leicester on December 26, 2022. (AFP)

• Brendan Rodgers believes players “with hunger and point to prove” can take rival Eddie Howe’s team to the top

LEICESTER: Brendan Rodgers, the Leicester City manager, has stepped over the line Eddie Howe refuses to cross and labelled Newcastle United title contenders.
Head coach Howe has been keen to sidestep any suggestion the Magpies find themselves in a title race, despite three points at Leicester City taking United above Manchester City and into second spot in the Premier League.
Northern Irishman Rodgers, who came so close to ending a Liverpool title drought back in 2014, believes Newcastle have the tools to push the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal all the way.
Speaking after goals from Chris Wood, Miguel Almiron and Joelinton downed his Foxes side at the King Power Stadium, Rodgers, when asked if Newcastle are in the title race, said: “Absolutely. Having watched them through the season and seeing them today, they’ve obviously got that hunger with a point to prove. You make a great start and that gives you the freedom that you can stay there. There have obviously been some very results.
“The players they’ve signed are top players. (Sven) Botman is a proper player, he knows football. He’s aggressive and defends the box well. Kieran Trippier is a very experienced player and knows the game. You’ve got Dan Burn in alongside him.
“The guys that were brought in January, the likes of (Bruno) Guimaraes. Joelinton has developed and improved. There is no reason why they can’t be if they can make the squad stronger in January.
“They can cover players that might get injured and keep everybody fit then they can be up there. With the home support and fanatical fanbase, they can have a great chance.”
Howe was not quite as enthusiastic when asked about his side’s title dreams.
“I’ve got no problem with the supporters talking and dreaming and speculating about what we can achieve,” he said.
“And there’s no doubt you guys (journalists) will because I can’t control that.
“I just think the only thing we need to be mindful of eternally is we just have to focus on what we can control, which is our own thoughts, actions, how we train and how we prepare.
“We can’t look too far ahead or listen to too much news, media or whatever. We can only focus on our training and focus on it game-by-game because this is the toughest league in the world for a reason.
“Our opposition will no doubt be watching us and preparing for us so we need to be ready.”
However, on a lighter note, he later added: “We can do anything. The season is still young enough for all possibilities to exist for us. I want the fans to believe we can do anything.”