The Chelsea fans in the Football Transfer Tavern think that it’s time for Chelsea to get their show on the road and start looking like the title contenders their early season form suggested they would be…
Our local Blues fans here in the Transfer Tavern were beginning to get excited that the form of 2015/16 had been firmly put to bed after a strong start to the campaign – but in recent weeks that form has begun to rear its ugly head again.
Convincing victories over the Blues by Arsenal and Liverpool left the Stamford Bridge crowd wondering if mid-table mediocrity was on the cards again this season, despite the fresh impetus Antonio Conte should have brought in – so a good performance against Leicester this weekend is needed.
The Foxes, themselves, are struggling to defend their title, though few really expected them to – and they now look set to focus on the Champions League.
Our landlord reckons that could be perfect for Chelsea to get a win at the weekend, then, particularly if they go for this line-up…
Thibaut Courtois

He’s not been at his best but he’s still going to start in this one.
Asmir Begovic is unlucky, but he is firmly behind the Belgian in the pecking order.
Cesar Azpilicueta

The Spaniard deserves to be playing on the right side of defence instead of Branislav Ivanovic and that’s exactly what Antonio Conte needs to do.
He will perform even better in his more natural role.
John Terry

The captain is back much to the relief of the Blues fans and will start.
Gary Cahill will drop to the bench in order for the captain to return.
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David Luiz

To be fair to Luiz, he actually hasn’t been that bad since his return to the Bridge – and he deserves to play against the Foxes.
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Expect a big performance from the Brazilian.
Marcos Alonso

The Spaniard was signed to give Chelsea some balance at the back and that’s why he needs to play.
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He showed last weekend against Hull just how good he can be.
N’Golo Kante

Kante comes up against his old side for the second time in a matter of a few weeks – and will be hoping to remind them how important he was for them last season.
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He will need to be on form to deal with Vardy.
Cesc Fabregas

Fabregas has to play.
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He offers far more than Nemanja Matic and surely it’s only a matter of time before Conte realises this.
His offensive threat will be vital in getting behind the efficient Leicester City defence.
Eden Hazard

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Hazard is always going to play but needs to remind us just why that is soon.
A good performance for Belgium in the week will likely spur him on.
Willian

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He hasn’t been at the level he was at last season, but if anyone deserves some slack – it’s the Brazilian.
Willian always pulls a performance out of the bag when he needs to.
Oscar

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Oscar is a Conte favourite but he hasn’t really shown why.
He needs to put in a big performance against Leicester or he could find himself out of the first team.
Diego Costa

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Costa has been arguably Chelsea’s best player this season and will start this weekend.
Batshuayi will find himself unfortunate not to get a game, but Costa has just been too good.