Leicester City go head-to-head with Chelsea in Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off.
Leicester City head into their meeting with Chelsea in desperate need of three points.
The Foxes were beaten 3-0 by Manchester United in their last fixture prior to the November break.
As a result, a loss to the Blues could see the Midlands outfit end the day 18th in the Premier League table if results elsewhere don’t go their way in the remainder of the weekend’s kick-offs.
Jason Derlou predicted Leicester to beat Chelsea but given Enzo Maresca’s side went into the game third in the division, Steve Cooper was well aware a tough outing was awaiting his team.
Chelsea had lost just one in five prior to Saturday and boasted one of the best attacks in the top flight.
Leicester, meanwhile, had the third-worst defence in the Premier League, meaning a high-scoring affair was anticipated.
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Leicester City fans can’t believe Stephy Mavididi didn’t start vs Chelsea
Ahead of kick-off, there were expected to be a couple of changes to the starting line-up now Abdul Fatawu is out for the season and Facundo Buonanotte was suspended.
When the team news came out at 11:30am though, Leicester fans were shocked to see Stephy Mavididi left on the bench.
Instead, the Leicester boss opted to start Kasey McAteer and Bilal El Khannouss, with fans having since to X/Twitter to express their frustration at Mavididi not being selected.
One fan wrote: “2024 Premier League and we’re starting McAteer over Mavididi, I’m done.”
A second supporter added: “McAteer instead of Mavididi is honestly crazy, give me one reason why it’s a good idea.”
Another fan stated: “Why isn’t Mavididi playing? Cooper has to go,” while a fourth wrote: “Mavididi must have stunk in training how has he lost his place to McAteer he’s our only fit winger.”
A fifth Leicester fan added: “Mcateer staring over Mavididi. Yeah, Cooper has lost the plot totally.”
Another fan sarcastically said: “Fatawu injured? Buononatte suspended? PERFECT time to drop Mavididi.”
While a seventh fan simply added: “I think Mavididi instead of Ndidi should’ve been the play.”
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Steve Cooper took massive Leicester City risk vs Chelsea
Had Buonanotte and Fatawu been available for this game, fans probably wouldn’t have been too concerned about Mavididi not starting.
However, as the Englishman is their only fit winger who has earned any sort of regular minutes in 2024/25, the decision to bench him was baffling.
Mavididi has not set the Premier League alight this term but two goals in 10 is still a decent return for a struggling team.
Should Leicester end up losing to Chelsea, the fan ire toward Cooper is only likely to grow after this call.