Sigh. Chelsea made it three in a row on Saturday. Not wins. Three consecutive goalless draws. A pitiful performance against Leicester means the Blues are winless four games into the new year. Antonio Conte decided to continue with the 3-5-2 formation deployed against Arsenal in midweek, but it failed to reap any rewards as his side faltered in front of goal once again. Leicester had a number of chances to open the scoring in the first half, but couldn’t register the game’s first goal, before Ben Chilwell’s sending off ended the Foxes’ chances of taking all three points home. Here’s how the Chelsea players rated:
Thibaut Courtois – 8
Chelsea’s best player, in a disappointing performance. Saved brilliantly from a Wilfried N’Didi header, and made good saves from the likes of Jamie Vardy to preserve his clean sheet.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 6
Attempted to find Alvaro Morata with some crosses but failed to set up his compatriot, and coped well defensively when called upon.
Gary Cahill – 6
Produced a great block to deny Vardy, before going off injured after pulling his hamstring.
Antonio Rudiger – 6
Physically, he was great again. However, Vardy did manage to trouble the German on a number of occasions.
Victor Moses – 6
Had a decent game, did well defensively and got forward well. Work needed to be done on his crossing, however.
Tiemoue Bakayoko – 5
Hasn’t shown why the club forked out the money they paid for him in recent weeks. The Frenchman has looked out of sorts.
Cesc Fabregas – 6
Not on his game on this occasion. Was unable to pick out the pass that we have come to expect from him in recent seasons.
N’Golo Kante – 6
A typical performance from Kante. Did what he had to do well, and even forced a save from goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
Marcos Alonso – 6
Riyad Mahrez gave him a tough afternoon, but coped well at times. Almost found the winner with a late free kick.
Eden Hazard – 5
So often he’s been Chelsea’s go-to man, but he wasn’t his usual self. Deservedly taken off after less than an hour.
Alvaro Morata – 5
Little support and no chances, Morata was absent for the majority of the game. Harry Maguire coped well with the Spanish forward.
Substitutes
Andreas Christensen – 7
Came on after Cahill’s injury, and was very impressive. Coped well with the threat of Jamie Vardy.
Willian – 6
Brought on to change the game, but failed to make an impact.
Pedro – 6
Like Willian, he was brought on to find a goal, but couldn’t do so.
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