‘I would go as far as to say’: Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers makes big claim about Chelsea ahead of tomorrow’s game

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Brendan Rodgers labelled Chelsea the toughest opponent his Leicester City side have faced this season.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s encounter with his former employers at Stamford Bridge, Rodgers credited Thomas Tuchel’s group for being the Foxes’ fiercest challenge in 2021/22.

Chelsea have been Leicester City’s toughest opponent

The Blues certainly put on a fine performance in November’s reverse fixture held in the East Midlands.

Chelsea left the King Power stadium 3-0 victors, thanks to goals from Antonio Rudiger, N’Golo Kante and Christian Pulisic.

Kante returned to the ground where he truly became a Premier League icon, but sentimental feelings went out of the window for 90-minutes that afternoon.

The Frenchman converted a wonderful solo effort from just outside the area that was eventually named the club’s Goal of the Month.

His strike, along with Rudiger’s header and Pulisic’s tap-in ensured all three points returned safely to South West London.

More importantly, Chelsea maintained their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

“I’m a big admirer of Chelsea and the team and the work Thomas has done there,” glowingly reviewed Rodgers.

“I would go as far as to say they are the best team we have played (this season.

“When we played them early on in the season they were at the top of their game, I thought they were outstanding.”

It all fell apart after the Foxes

Sadly, Chelsea slipped away not long after putting three past Leicester.

Tuchel’s men drew with Manchester United in the follow-up fixture, then narrowly beat Watford and lost to West Ham United.

By the time they faced Leeds United on the 11^th of December, their league position had dropped from first to third.

During this period, at one stage or another, Chelsea were without Kante, Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Trevoh Chalobah.

Romelu Lukaku had only just returned from injury, whilst Jorginho played through the pain of a back problem.

All added to the poor results that ultimately ended Tuchel’s title challenge, forcing him to focus on staying in the Champions League places instead.

At one stage towards the tail-end of the term, it seemed like the Blues might actually slip out of the top four, following another rotten run of results.

Thankfully, Arsenal’s loss at Newcastle United on Monday means European football will be returning to the Bridge next year, taking the pressure off Thursday’s game against Leicester.

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