Leicester City have missed an opportunity to prepare for future ahead of £13m final week

For the clubs in mid-table, out of European contention and clear of relegation, the stereotype is that they’ll have their flip-flops on for the final week of the season. But at Leicester City, there is still more than £13m to play for.

Currently in ninth, City can finish anywhere between eighth and 14th depending on how their results against Chelsea and Southampton go, and how their rivals in a congested part of the table fare. With £2.2m to be received in merit payments per place up the league, there is an incentive to do well.

For City, any extra cash is welcome, whether that is put towards transfers or the day-to-day running of the club. Manager Brendan Rodgers said he did not know how it would be used, but is still striving to take the club to as high a position as possible, knowing the mood going into the summer will be considerably different depending on whether City finish eighth or 14th.

“That’s not been put to me,” Rodgers said when asked if the merit payments would be used for the club’s summer transfer overhaul. “It’s just really a matter of pride in finishing as high as we possibly can. The rewards come from that.

“It’s common sense. You want to finish as high as you can, and if you do that, everything is in a better place because of that, whether it’s financially, the mood, everything. Nothing has been stated as to finishing in a certain position and getting the money to add players.”

Ensuring the mood of the squad is healthy going into the summer and earning a little extra money are both important reasons for taking these final few games as seriously as possible, with little thought given to preparing for the new campaign. But it does feel like City have missed an opportunity all the same.

While Rodgers