Chelsea traveled to the East Midlands to face Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City, looking for their second successive win in the Premier League after securing a 1-0 victory over Leeds United at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
Graham Potter was forced to drop Reece James who missed the training because of illness. Mykhailo Mudryk came in for Raheem Sterling, starting his third Premier League game since his big money move in January.
Chelsea secured first Premier League away win since October as CFC walked out with a 3-1 win. Goals from Ben Chilwell, Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovacic ensured that Graham Potter’s side registered two back to back wins in the Premier League.
Chelsea player ratings vs Leicester City
Kepa Arrizabalaga – 7.5
Kepa was largely untroubled before Patson Daka’s goal. The Spaniard could do very little against Daka’s banging effort. Kepa produced a brilliant save from James Maddison’s effort in the first half. Kepa produced another stellar save from a Kelechi Iheanacho volley.
The former Athletic Bilbao man had to remain alert as he rushed from his line to collect a Leicester through ball and collided with Iheanacho in the process. Kepa had to produce important saves in the second half as the Foxes pushed for an equalizer.
Wesley Fofana – 7.5
Wesley Fofana was sound in the first half and came close to scoring his second goal in two games as a powerful header was saved by Danny Ward. Despite the boos from the host crowd, Fofana put in a brilliant shift. The Frenchman came off after looking hurt in the culminating stages of the game.
Kalidou Koulibaly – 8
Kalidou Koulibaly assisted Chilwell’s goal as the Senegalese sent a cross toward the far post and Chilwell made exquisite contact to volley the ball in the back of the net. He’s had to work hard to combat the pacey Patson Daka. Koulibaly produced some key blocks and interceptions in the second half as Leicester looked for their second goal.
Marc Cucurella – 7
Marc Cucurella retained his place ahead of Benoit Badaishile after a solid performance against Dortmund. The Spaniard had to work hard as Ricardo Pereira pushed forward. Cucurella did have some worrisome moments but he did well to cope with the pressure.
Midfield –
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 7.5
Ruben Loftus-Cheek looked superb on the right in the wing back role, using his physicality to get forward. The Englishman looked far more involved than he was last weekend in the same role. Loftus-Cheek linked up well with Enzo Fernandez on the right few times. The 27 year old came off for Trevoh Chalobah as the Blues went from a three man defence to a back four.
Enzo Fernandez – 8
Enzo Fernandez played with a high tempo and absorbed the Leicester pressure well. He broke through the Leicester press and even won back balls in important areas of the pitch. The Argentine put a sublime ball in for Havertz who made no mistake to put CFC ahead. Fernandez was superb again and these kinds of performances are becoming the norm for the 22 year old.
Mateo Kovacic – 8
Mateo Kovacic and Fernandez are forming a formidable midfield partnership in the Chelsea engine room. Initially, Leicester midfield was getting the better of Kovacic and Fernandez but soon the Croatian got into his element. To cap off a fantastic afternoon, Kovacic scored the third Chelsea goal.
Ben Chilwell – 8
Ben Chilwell scored as the former Fox struck a wonderful volley to give Chelsea the lead at the King Power Stadium. The Englishman was superb once again on the left, getting forward as he was afforded space.
Attack –
Joao Felix – 7
Joao Felix came inches close to scoring Chelsea’s second goal as Havertz launched a sensational long ball and Felix chipped an effort over Danny Ward but the ball struck the post. The Portuguese was on the end of a well constructed goal but the goal was ruled out for offside after VAR intervention.
Felix was dispossessed which allowed Daka to equalize. The 23 year old came off at the half time for Conor Gallagher as Potter decided to add more energy and industry to the midfield.
Kai Havertz – 9
Havertz was majorly playing on the right, slightly behind Mudryk. The German threaded a perfect long pass, releasing Felix who was through on goal but his deft chip hit the post. Havertz scored in the injury time of the first half, scoring through a delicate touch from close range from a Fernandez cross.
Havertz was invovled in Chelsea’s third goal, making the run and then picking out Mudryk who in turn headed the ball in Kovacic’s path.
Mykhailo Mudryk – 8.5
Positionally, Mudryk was playing centrally and up top with Havertz playing off him on the right. The Ukrainian did not create a lot of problems for the Foxes but his touch and movement did create some threat.
Mudryk had a goal ruled out where he showcased his outrageous pace and acceleration. The former Shakhtar Donetsk man assisted the third goal, heading the ball into the danger area for Kovacic to volley home.
Substitutes –
Conor Gallagher – 7
Conor Gallagher came on for Felix to add steel in midfield. Gallagher produced a goal-line save to stop Leicester from equalizing for the second time.
Christian Pulisic – 6
Christian Pulisic came on for Chilwell. He wasn’t heavily involved but saw the game out for CFC. The American played centrally as Havertz continued to play off him on the right.
Trevoh Chalobah – 6
Trevoh Chalobah came on for Loftus-Cheek as Chelsea shifted to a back four.
Noni Madueke – N/A
Madueke came in for Mudryk in the final 10 minutes.
Benoit Badiashile – N/A
Badiashile came on for Fofana who limped out of the pitch.