Do any Chelsea players get get in the Leicester starting XI?

Chelsea will make the trip to the King Power Stadium on Monday only one point above the bottom three where they will face a Leicester City outfit that can return to the top of the Premier League with a win over the reigning champions.

At the start of the season many thought it would be Leicester battling relegation when they appointed Claudio Ranieri, while everyone had widely expected Chelsea to make a strong defence of their title. However, that’s not how the Premier League works anymore and Jose Mourinho has a real fight on his hand if the Blues are even to make the top four this season.

A hallmark of Chelsea’s failings so far this season has been how many of last season’s stars have struggled. It’s not unusual when one player has a dip in form but for the likes of Nemanja Matic, Branislav Ivanovic, John Terry, Eden Hazard Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas to all suffer at the same time has been striking and indicative of where they are in the table as it stands.

Leicester, on the other hand led by the league’s top scorer (Vardy – 14) and highest rated player (Mahrez – 8.33), are brimming with confidence. Not only do the Foxes posses the creativity and goal threat of the two aforementioned players, but in front of the defence they also have N’Golo Kante, who has made more interceptions than any other player (64), and Danny Drinkwater, who prior to this weekend had won possession more times in the midfield third than any other player (84). 

Despite Leicester’s rip-roaring start to the season, there is still room for two Chelsea players to make their way into the combined XI. While the majority of Mourinho’s players have been in awful form this season, Willian has proven an exception to the norm. The Brazil international has been by far and away their best player in all competitions this season and Chelsea could arguably be in a worse position had it not been for some of his performances.

Asmir Begovic isn’t likely to play in the Premier League again this season, albeit another injury to Thibaut Courtois, but he has also been one of Chelsea’s most consistent performers, although that isn’t saying much. The Bosnian goalkeeper was thrust into the starting XI when Courtois unexpectedly broke down with a long-term knee injury and, without the help of any of those in front of him, has been on hand to save Chelsea. In fact, only four goalkeepers have made more saves inside the penalty area this season than Begovic (27).

Do you agree with the combined Chelsea and Leicester XI? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below