A fierce battle between the 3rd and 4th placed teams respectively ended in a draw at the King Power Stadium. Lampard’s men started out well, creating plenty of chances, but were not able to find the back of the net in the first half. Rodgers saw his team start out on the backdoor but they slowly grew into the game but like the visitors didn’t have anything to show for it as the half time whistle blew.
The second half was a completely different story as the Blues took an early lead through Rudiger due to some defensive errors from the hosts; though they retaliated quickly as Harvey Barnes equalised just eight minutes later. Chilwell added another 10 minutes later as the Foxes took the lead but it was not to be as the German centre back Rudiger grabbed a braced and equalised in the 71st minute.
There were a few scares for both sides but it ended as a 2-2 draw which was quite fair given the match and both teams would not be too disappointed with a point apiece.
Chelsea’s keeper woes
Caballero started in place of Kepa on Saturday due to the latter producing a string of disappointing performances. The Spaniard, who was bought for a record transfer fee, has not been able to live up to the price tag and the fans have already started asking for a replacement in the summer window.
Kepa has had the poorest save percentage this season and has looked far from intimidating between the sticks. Whether he can turn this around or not is something which we’ll have to wait and watch but it is definitely something which will be weighing on boss Frank Lampard’s mind.
Leicester’s dip of form
The Foxes started the season well and went on a brilliant streak in October which lasted until the Christmas period but since the New Year, they have looked like a shadow of their former selves. Defensively, the resolute partnership of Soyuncu and Evans has been breached far more times than they would’ve liked in the past month or so.
In the attacking third, Vardy has been missing his shooting boots and James Maddison doesn’t seem to be as influential as he was in the first half of the season. This is something that Rodgers will be looking to resolve and hoping that it is a just a phase, not a permanent issue.
Goal scoring drought
Both team’s number 9’s seem to be going through a rough patch lately. Tammy Abraham started the season on fire and reached double figures before the New Year but has dipped in form ever since, only scoring once in the past five matches. He seems to be lacking the movement and confidence which had catapulted him to the top of the goalscoring charts earlier in the season.
Jamie Vardy has been going through a dry spell himself too and has been unable to find the back of the net in the past six matches in all competitions. A proven goalscorer, Vardy is still at the top of the Golden Boot race but would desperately be looking to score to put the hoodoo behind him.
Chelsea midfield conundrum
The Blues have tried multiple combinations over the course of the season with regard to their midfield but still seem to be unsettled as to which three are the best fit. Kovacic, Kante, Jorginho, Mount and Barkley have all been used in these positions.
Jorginho, Kante and Mount started in the midfield against the Foxes with Kovacic and Barkley coming on later from the bench. With Loftus-Cheek back in training as well, Lampard will have yet another headache to decide his best three week in week out. The players, on the other hand, will be putting in their all to ensure they are picked more often than not.
Up Next
The Foxes travel to the Molineux to face a formidable Wolves side whereas Chelsea will host rivals Manchester United, hoping to avenge a 4-0 defeat on opening day.
