Four keys as Chelsea face Leicester City in EFL Cup action
Chelsea return to EFL Cup action on Tuesday night as they travel to take on reigning Premier League champions Leicester City. Here are some keys to look for.
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 14: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea at the King Power Stadium on December14, 2015 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
The games are coming thick and fast so Chelsea have little time to reflect on Friday’s disappointing loss to Liverpool. The Blues return to EFL Cup action on Tuesday with Leicester City the opponents. Here are some keys to look for as they look to topple the champions of England.
Return to the King Power Stadium
The last time Chelsea played at the King Power Stadium, John Terry and Gary Cahill were torn to shreds by Jamie Vardy. Eden Hazard picked up an injury that kept him out of regular playing time for months. Riyad Mahrez made Cesar Azpilicueta look like he should be in the Football League. Diego Costa partook in some light choking of Jamie Vardy. Loic Remy actually found the back of the net. And Jose Mourinho was still Chelsea manager. Yes, it all sounds like a creative bit of fan fiction where Leicester are the heroes instead of Chelsea. But unfortunately it’s true. All of it.
Chelsea will be hoping for a much happier outing this time, one perhaps more reminiscent of Antonio Conte’s last meeting with then Inter Milan manager Claudio Ranieri (who was sacked the following day). It’s hard to go to play at the stadium of the champions, but as the Chelsea squad know all too well, home is not a fortress for anyone. Chelsea will be seeking to take advantage and rain on Leicester’s parade.
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Antonio Conte manager of Chelsea gives instructions during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 16, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
How will Antonio Conte respond to his first defeat?
Conte looked completely depressed in his post-match press conference following the Liverpool match. He has no time to rest, however, with a knockout match following his first defeat as the Chelsea manager.
This will give Chelsea fans some insight into what should be expected from Conte. Will he make changes in response to a defeat? Or will he make changes because of it being a midweek game? Does he take the League Cup seriously at all? He might even keep the exact same XI that has been doing well so far.
Conte’s starting XI will be very telling, especially with Arsenal looming on the horizon. Players such as Cahill and Nemanja Matic should be seeing time on the bench, making way for Marcos Alonso’s debut and Cesc Fabregas’ return to the team.
If Conte decides to not worry about the cup, it’s also possible, though extremely unlikely, that Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ola Aina, and perhaps even Nathaniel Chalobah get minutes. Regardless, Conte’s player decisions will set the precedent as to what should be expected of him in similar situations going forward.
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 17: Islam Slimani of Leicester City (L) and Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City celebrate after Ben Mee of Burnley scores a own goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Burnley at The King Power Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
The post-title slump
It is to be expected that the season after Leicester’s title win they would slump. It has not been the absolute collapse that many expected, nor has it been the swashbuckling Leicester that marched to the title from the word “go”.
The loss of N’Golo Kante has weakened them as a side in addition to the players reverting to their normal levels. Leicester might not have the magic of last season anymore, but it would still be foolish to assume they are not a threat.
Following a crushing defeat to Liverpool, Leicester have bounced back. There opposition has not been quality the last two fixtures, but beating both Club Brugge and Burnley 3-0 will boost the confidence of the champions.
Meanwhile, Chelsea played out a disappointing draw with Swansea and a morale-shattering loss to Liverpool in their last two. The momentum is in Leicester’s favor, so Chelsea can’t bank on the after-party being any less dangerous than Vardy’s party of last season. It’s up to Chelsea to feel that danger and stamp it out.
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: Diego Costa of Chelsea celebrates as he scores their first goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on September 16, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Diego Costa’s fire
Diego Costa is on fire. He has a goal to match each of his appearances. He also very nearly has a yellow card to match each as well. Regardless, Costa is very much on fire form wise.
Debatably, it is some of his best in a Chelsea shirt without really seeming like it. He has continued to make poor decisions causing the team to lose the ball. Thankfully, he has made up for it by hitting the back of the net from nearly every angle. Then he will get a yellow card or be involved in some controversy, taking the shine off of his contributions.
Leicester City gave Costa fits last season, and it would not be surprising if they found a way to do the same this season. On paper their defense doesn’t look great, but in practice they have been excellent in all but the Liverpool match.
It will be up to Costa to find a way through, which should prove slightly easier than he remembers it with Kante shielding the good guys now. It’s a matter of time before Costa either boils over or cools down, but hopefully neither happens until he has banged in a few against the reigning champions, in the proces showing Arsenal what a striker looks like.
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