Leicester vs Chelsea: 5 key matchups that could go either way

Jamie Vardy vs Andreas Christensen

Chelsea’s set-piece problem is more than well documented. There is not a single player in that team that I would be confident in either burying a header goal or clearing a whipped ball out. So surely, with quality creative players like James Maddison and Youri Tielemans at their disposal, they will be looking to exploit that exact spot. There is a reason Leicester is sixth and fourth in a corner kick and freekick accuracy, respectively.

Jamie Vardy, despite his age, has continued to bang in goal after goal. He leads the team in headed goals with three, despite only standing at 179 cm. His pure physicality and determination get him anywhere he wants on the pitch.

This will certainly be an issue for Chelsea defenders, namely Andreas Christensen, to contain this explosive beast. The Danish defender seems to have accepted Lampard’s challenge of being more physical and displayed he can bang with the likes of Chris Wood, who is leading the league in headed goals.

However, that’s not the only problem that Vardy will present. The striker remains one of the most lethal and quickest players around, especially in the counter-attack. Christensen must win the aerial duels and leg races in order for the Blues to properly contain the lethal striker. Leicester leads the league in counter-attack goals, while Chelsea is second-worst and conceding them.

It will take more than just Christensen to stop the Vardy, but it must start with him stepping up to challenge the Englishman.