City’s UEFA Europa League Group G campaign continues against Portuguese outfit SC Braga, who have also won both of their opening matches against Zorya Luhansk and AEK Athens prior to a third round of European fixtures.
The Foxes’ squad has been stretched in the opening stages of the 2020/21 season due to injuries to several key players, but that has enabled Rodgers to get an understanding of how his stars can adapt when called upon.
One member that has had a short spell out is gifted England international Maddison, who on Monday night came off the bench to play a role in City’s third goal against Leeds United, before winning a penalty – dispatched by Tielemans – in the 4-1 success.
Describing his No.10 ahead of what will be City’s second of three games in seven days, Rodgers talked of Maddison’s personal traits, including how he ‘loves football’ and ‘wants to win’ whenever he steps on the field of play.
“He has a wonderful personality,” Rodgers said. “Within the game it's very important to have those types. My teams… there is a lot of structure in terms of organisation, but if you’re on a sliding scale, you’re looking at structure and you need that improvisation within your team.
“He brings that improvisation at the top of the field. You can set up movement patterns but it’s also the intuition and he has that incredible ability at the other end of the pitch to make something happen.
“As you saw with his moment the other night in the game, he came in, he gets a turn on his touch and then his weighted pass puts Cengo (Cengiz Ünder) in. Then, he invites the penalty.
“He’s a big talent, and that type of personality on the field is important, but also off it. He’s a great lad. He loves his life, loves football – this is his passion and he’s going to enjoy every single minute of it.
“What you also can’t mistake with James is, he’s a winner. He wants to win, he is not just about looking good as a player. He wants to be a good player and he wants to be a successful player, and that’s really refreshing to see as a manager.”
A man who often joins Maddison in midfield is Belgium’s Tielemans, who entering his second full season as a Fox continues to display all of the abilities that make him one of the most exciting young players in the Premier League.
Even before he had moved to England permanently, Tielemans had made an impressive 250 senior appearances and Rodgers feels that it is the midfielder’s hunger that has seen him become an integral member of the Foxes squad.
“For Youri, he is developing into a top-class player,” said the City manager. “When he first came in there was that excitement of coming to the Premier League in that first four to six months where he came on loan.
“Last year, a full season of adapting to the physicality of the Premier League and now what you're seeing is someone who has adapted fully and physically to it. He’s technically an outstanding player and for a young player he is tactically so good.
“He is playing a fraction deeper which allows him to control the game that little bit more with a bit less emphasis of having to score goals. He’s a player who, in the build-up play phase of the game, is so good.
“He understands his positioning well, he can play with both feet and is tactically so good for someone so young in the game. He’s playing at a really high level and performing really well. He puts so much work into the game and lives his life for football, Youri. He’s a joy to work with.
On media duties before Rodgers on Wednesday was City No.24 Mendy, who is enjoying a productive run in the side after what he described as a ‘new challenge’ for him personally.
Rodgers believes Mendy has been complemented by his attacking counterparts in midfield, allowing him to grasp his opportunity as a defensive-minded player in the centre of the pitch.
“He is performing to the level the Club wanted when they brought him in,” Rodgers explained. “He's a defensive midfield player, tactically very good, understands the role, and does a lot of dirty work for the team.
“Of course, before he’s played with Wilf [Ndidi], who’s something similar beside him and it’s probably where both those players need someone creative beside them.
“I think because of Wilf’s form, certainly since I’ve been here, he’s been so consistent, Wilf, and it's been difficult for Papy to play but it really shows you the mark of the guy – how well he has trained, how concentrated he has been. He never lost his focus and was always there if an opportunity came to give his very best.
“Now, what you’re seeing is a player that is getting a consistent run of games, and he’s really showing the quality player he is. I have been delighted with Papy. He gives the team stability with his experience and understanding of football and how we work. He has been crucial to how we play.”