Leicester City have struggled to replicate the same heights of their previous three seasons with the East Midlands side currently languishing just above the relegation zone.
Injuries have not helped of course and a FFP restricted summer transfer window saw the likes of Wesley Fofana and Kasper Schmeichel leave the club with just two incomings, one being a third choice goalkeeper, Alex Smithies.
Wout Faes was brought in to replace Fofana for €17m from Stade Reims and by all accounts he has been a success for the most part, barring those two own goals at Anfield.
However, Rodgers has constantly maintained the need for a “freshness” and with the Foxes beginning to slide closer towards the relegation zone, the need to dip into the winter transfer window was critical.
Left-back Victor Kristiansen was brought in from FC Copenhagen for a fee believed to be in the region of €14m whilst Brazilian winger Tetê signed on a short-term deal from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Australian centre-back Harry Souttar was signed on deadline day in a deal worth €17m following an impressive World Cup in Qatar.
The new signings all started at Villa Park with the Foxes winning 4-2. Tetê scored on his debut as he cooly rounded Emiliano Martínez before slotting home.
Leicester host Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend and there is a sense that the Foxes may be turning a corner with some of the key injured players returning.
Speaking at a press conference, Rodgers said: “Having experienced winning teams, that’s what we needed. The three guys (Tete, Kristiansen and Souttar) have brought freshness, balance and competition.
“With players coming back, we’re hoping to push on. It was a fantastic win. We weren’t perfect but we showed lots of quality. We showed resilience to come from behind twice. We deserved to win.
“If you bring in new players with new hunger, that will improve the ones you have. Hopefully I’ve shown we can have success.”
Mark Marston | Get Football
