Enzo Maresca left with lingering Chelsea question despite Leicester win – 5 talking points

On his return to the King Power Stadium, Enzo Maresca led Chelsea to a resounding victory over Leicester City.

For a large portion of the ninety minutes, the Foxes were unable to produce much as they established their stall deep within their own half. But Chelsea soon began to doubt the safety of the Foxes’ backline as Blues defender Benoit Badiashile nodded back a promising long ball.

After fifteen minutes, Maresca’s team took the lead thanks to a clever finish from Nicolas Jackson, who troubled and harassed Wout Faes before grabbing the ball. Chelsea camped out in Leicester’s half for the next half, but they were unable to increase their lead.

Although Maresca’s troops had the majority of the possession, it took them an hour to achieve greater success. Enzo Fernandez was on hand to extend Chelsea’s lead and secure three points after Jackson’s header was brilliantly saved.

Jordan Ayew easily converted Leicester’s penalty kick in stoppage time, although his team had little time to equalize when it was awarded. Mirror Football examines the talking points that will come out of the game.

Nicolas Jackson keeps proving himself.
The Senegal international netted his fourth goal away from home in as many outings and his seventh goal for Chelsea this season. It’s almost impossible to understand some of the erratic filming of 2023–2024 after Jackson’s cool, collected finale.

The youthful forward has quieted the criticism from a year ago, which was frequently unjustified, and has started the season in outstanding form. Along with the work ethic often associated with the seasoned player on the other team, Jamie Vardy, the former Villarreal star shown a propensity for sharpshooting.

Jackson had many other skills as well, and it was regrettable that Noni Madueke failed to convert an amazing run and cross with his weaker foot.

Ndidi is lucky.
Wilfred Ndidi of Leicester initiated a recurring trend in which Foxes players receive warnings for shoddy tackles. When the Nigerian midfielder tried to grab the ball from Cole Palmer from behind, he was given a yellow card.

After giving it another glance, the video assistant referee saw that Ndidi was dragging his studs down Palmer’s thigh, far from the ball. In most people’s eyes, it’s a red flag.

However, since VAR remained with the onfield verdict, no decision was made to enhance the card. This time, the game was not re-officiated; yet, after reviewing the situation, it was maybe a perplexing one to not see overturned.

Soon after, Ndidi was joined in the book by Boubakary Soumaré and Oliver Skipp, who faced similar but less severe late problems.

On Saturday afternoon, Enzo Maresca was unable to choose between Pedro Neto and Malo Gusto. While Gusto missed out due to sickness, the former’s knock on international duty allowed his compatriot Joao Felix to start at King Power Stadium.

Due to the absence of club captain Reece James due to a hamstring injury, the Italian coach of the Blues was forced to switch from his preferred defensive pairing to Wesley Fofana at right back. While the new Benoit Badiashile was dominant in the air, the Frenchman was able to fill in, which was not the best move.

Because Marc Cucurella was used as a winger in attacking play rather than in a midfield position, Maresca was able to demonstrate his own depth. With Fofana joining a defensive trio, the Spaniard joined the west London team’s offensive lineup.

Due to an injury sustained during the international break, Rome Lavia was also only able to start the game from the bench. Despite having a short turnaround after their journeys to South America, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez started the game.

On Saturday, there weren’t many problems, even if Lavia had seemed to make himself indispensable beside Caicedo. The fact that their opponent’s midfield three each received a yellow card demonstrated who was winning the battle in the middle of the field, even though more than £200 million worth of quality should be able to handle a club fighting for Premier League survival.

Leicester’s situation appears to be difficult.
Even though the Foxes are now in 15th place in the Premier League, it is evident that their aspirations are limited to survival. Their two victories this season have come against Southampton and Ipswich, and even though Cooper’s squad has to defeat both to stay in the top flight, the pressure to earn three points on those occasions is only getting more.

Although defensive plays will be essential to maintaining a healthy goal differential and occasionally winning a point, Leicester will need to do better because of their lack of drive and sporadic insecurity. Although it gave them a glimmer of optimism, Leicester’s 40-minute wait for a chance on goal may have demonstrated more that they ought to have tried to test a Chelsea defense that has made a lot of blunders this season.

Leicester has only lost after 11 games once, in 2001, and they will need to cause Brentford and West Ham more issues if they want to keep that record from going worse.

Chelsea’s unanswered query
Robert Sanchez will continue to be questioned as Chelsea’s first choice goalkeeper despite having limited chances to demonstrate his ability to stop shots and only being denied a clean sheet by a penalty. After leaving Caicedo in difficulties in his own territory and displaying some erratic behavior, the Spaniard’s distribution was once again unclear.

Of course, it isn’t entirely his fault. Sanchez would have been inspired to play out with ambition even in challenging weather.