Leicester v Chelsea: Premier League – Live | Premier League

Enzo Maresca has opened up about the bond he formed with his Leicester players last season, remembering the night they crashed into his house to throw a party at 2 a.m. after winning the championship title. The Italian explained: “It was probably the best present I got last season when we got promoted and at around two in the morning the whole team arrived at my house. I watched the game (QPR vs) Leeds and when it finished, all the staff arrived. And then, very late, the players arrived. They could be in different places to celebrate. As I was a player, I was lucky to win things, but I never thought that go to the manager’s house.”

Looking ahead to this afternoon’s game, he said: “I want to be grateful to the club, the players and the fans. Because it was a great season. I can’t control how they will receive me. But I can control how I receive them.”

Jamie Vardy is back in Leicester’s starting line-up today after recovering from a back problem. Enzo Maresca heaped praise on his former no. 9 ahead of this afternoon’s game and claimed he is the best striker of his generation. Maresca said: “Vardy is fantastic and people don’t realize how good he is. I know England have been quite lucky with strikers, like Kane, Rooney and many others, but if you ask me he has been the best.

“He can do many things, like running back and finishing, but the best thing for me is his open mind. Last year he changed the way he played by dropping in, connecting the play and he still wants to learn. But of course, he still has the one thing that is most difficult to find, scoring goals. He can be out for a week without training and play on Saturday or Sunday and he’s the one who scores.”

A Chelsea fan has been in touch to share how delighted they are with the club’s progress this season. They don’t count Leicester today though…

“#3 on the table is something that we Chelsea fans (yes, we’re not extinct yet) haven’t been used to for a while. To be considered a top 4 favorite and get back to the UCL should be our goal by the 25th of May.

“Leicester are not a serious threat but who saw the miracle of Forest when the season started. Anything is possible. We can win this 1-4 or lose it 5-0. We are Chelsea!”

Also in the Premier League today…

• Fulham vs Wolves

• Everton vs Brentford

• Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest

• Bournemouth vs Brighton

• Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace

• Manchester City vs Tottenham

Leicester also suffered a serious injury blow this week, with promising winger Abdul Fatawu out for the rest of the season. The 20-year-old tore his ACL while playing for Ghana during the international break.

Manager Steve Cooper said: “He’s a young player and it can be quite common to have an ACL injury, it’s part of football but it’s still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and blow for us. We now have to support him in every way we can to make sure his rehab is as smooth and as productive as possible. We hope he can come back stronger player and person.”

James’ injury nightmare

Chelsea full-back Reece James took to Instagram on Thursday after it was revealed he suffered another injury setback. He wrote: “This message is for the people who understand and respect what I’m going through… I appreciate you so much, your support and kind words go further than you could ever imagine. And just to touch me… I’ve been better and also been worse. In the end I’ll come out on top.”

James has endured a torrid time with injuries over the past five years. He spent seven months on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring problem last season. Over the years, the Chelsea captain has also suffered knocks on his knees, ankles and thighs.

His latest injury is his eighth hamstring problem in four years.

Reece James is not in the Chelsea squad today. The full-back picked up another hamstring injury this week but Enzo Maresca has played down concerns about a long-term spell on the sidelines. The Chelsea manager said on Thursday: “We only have one injured player and that’s Reece who unfortunately felt a little something in training two days ago and we don’t want to take a risk this weekend.

“It’s a hamstring, muscular problem. We’ll see, we don’t know how long, for sure (we want him fit for longer). At the moment it’s not happening, but we hope it will happen soon. He’s out at the weekend but hopefully he can be back soon. It’s probably difficult that he can be available for the Conference League (next Thursday) but hopefully soon.”

I want to hear from you this afternoon! Feel free to message me with predictions, opinions, thoughts, feelings and all that jazz. Will Enzo Maresca be overtaken by his former team? (sorry not sorry pun) Or will he get another win under his belt at King Power?

Also let me know if you’re braving Storm Bert to go watch the football today…

Weather warnings have been put in place across England today amid the arrival of Storm Bert. Some EFL games scheduled for this afternoon have already been postponed, including the Championship clash between Blackburn and Portsmouth as well as Accrington Stanley’s trip to Bradford in League Two.

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