LEICESTER (REUTERS) - Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana was left out of the squad for Saturday's (Aug 20) 2-1 Premier League defeat by Southampton because he is not in the "right frame of mind", manager Brendan Rodgers said amid reports Chelsea are interested in buying him.

The Guardian reported that Leicester have rejected two bids from Chelsea for Fofana and are expecting a third that could be worth more than £80 million (S$130 million), though Leicester are reluctant to part ways with the Frenchman.

Fofana, 21, has made 37 league appearances for Leicester since joining them from Saint Etienne in October 2020.

"In terms of Wesley, it was a young player who is not in the right frame of mind to play at the moment," Rodgers told reporters when asked about the defender's absence.

"There's a lot going on behind the scenes, which I understand. It's a difficult moment for him. He's a good kid who has been great for us while he's been here.

"You can't afford to be around your team mates and playing a Premier League game if you're not fully focused."

Leicester have slipped to 18th in the table after picking up two defeats a draw in their opening three games of the season.

They dominated possession and were 1-0 up against Southampton but conceded two goals from substitute Che Adams to suffer a home defeat, prompting boos around the stadium.

"We played well for the first hour of the games here at home and then we become a little bit anxious and desperate to get the three points," Rodgers said.

"Maybe it's a case of the feeling around the club. We have to forget the noise and focus.

"We haven't got the results in the two home games we played well enough to. We've got to sustain it... I'm pretty confident these players will do that."