After winning the league by eight points in May, Chelsea could find itself in the relegation zone before playing at surprise leaders Leicester on Monday.
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The Midlands club started the weekend at the top of the Premier League table and will return there should they secure victory at home to struggling Chelsea, who sit 15th, on Monday. The manager, however, made it clear that he has complete trust in the Spanish midfielder to get out of the slump, which has seen him provide just two assists thus far this season compared to 11 at the same stage last campaign.
It was the day too when Claudio Ranieri knew he would not be Chelsea manager for much longer. I said a few weeks ago that I did not believe that they could be champions, maybe I need to reconsider. Another thing is to be top of the league in December, that’s a completely different story.
His offering of free pizza every time his players shut out the opposition has been a source of humour for many, yet there is a serious point the manager has tried to get across.
Jose Mourinho believes Chelsea can still make the top four but also says Leicester City can actually win the Premier League ahead of their key clash on Monday.
Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri has led Leicester to the top of the league standings with some impressive team and individual performances from the likes of top scorer Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez. Having said that, we expect that the same midfield from the Porto game in midweek could start, meaning more bench time for Cesc Fabregas and Pedro. Madrid is a great city, La Liga is a very good league, so why not, a player 28 years old not to think that in football it’s possible to be back?
“Small tactical adjustments, but the attitude I think is the most important thing”. “One thing is for sure: Chelsea fans, they don’t have memory problems”.
Leicester have scored more league goals than anyone else this season and will face a Chelsea side with the third-worst defensive record in the top flight. He’s the current manager of the month and Jamie Vardy player of the month.
Looking back, it seems fair to say that Ranieri – who earned the nickname “The Tinkerman” for his player rotation at Stamford Bridge – set the foundations for the success that followed under Jose Mourinho.
“The sporting director Trevor Birch told me there is a new owner and I said, ‘Me and you are the first who go home'”.
Chelsea have score just 17 goals all season while Leicester have bagged nearly double, 32.
Despite Ranieri claiming he put down the foundations for Mourinho’s first title in England, he says the Portuguese boss never thanked him.
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“But Vardy in the moment is running a lot and it is making the space for other players as well”.
