Brendan Rodgers issues hands-off warning to Chelsea and Manchester City

Brendan Rodgers has told Leicester’s Premier League rivals that England defender Ben Chilwell is not for sale.

The Foxes boss was asked whether Chilwell, whose heel injury will keep him out for the rest of the season, had played his last game for the club, with Chelsea boss Frank Lampard known to be a huge admirer of the 23-year-old and Manchester City also following the situation.

Both Chelsea and Leicester are fighting for Champions League football next season but Rodgers is confident the club are financially strong enough to reject offers for their best players.

Brendan Rodgers has told Premier League rivals Ben Chiwell is not for sale this summer

The Foxes boss was asked whether Chilwell had played his last game for Leicester City

Asked initially about whether Chilwell would play for Leicester again, Rodgers said: ‘I’m not sure’ but then added: ‘He is a Leicester City player and not a player we want to lose, so I am quite relaxed it.

‘I am not worried at all. We’ve got a fantastic squad that we want to keep together, so I don’t worry. There’s no intention to sell Ben Chilwell and there is absolutely no need for us to sell him, so if you need to promote a message then the message is he is not for sale, as simple as that.’

Leicester proved themselves ferocious transfer negotiators as they secured £80million from Manchester United for defender Harry Maguire.

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is known to be a huge admirer of the 23-year-old left-back

Pep Guardiola is also following the situation and could make a move for Chiwell this summer

They are likely to be similarly tough with Chilwell, who has four years remaining on his contract and came through the Leicester academy. 

The coronavirus pandemic also casts doubt on whether any club would meet Leicester’s valuation of Chilwell, which is thought to exceed £50m.