Chelsea face Leicester City tonight (Thursday) and a warning has been sent from Thomas Tuchel. A subtle warning for the Foxes and to the amusement of the fans. After a difficult FA Cup final loss to Liverpool, the Blues are expected to react just five days later. New haircuts for Mason Mount and Kai Havertz signify that they are up for the challenge that comes their way.
The Blues have it all to play for with their home fans. With two trophies in the bank this season, many fans are left unsatisfied with the way it has panned out. I guess it would have been nice to see captain Cesar Azpilicueta lift a domestic trophy considering the Wembley misfortunes of the past. Instead, we will have to settle for top-four security and bow out of the campaign with a high.
Leicester City have previously left a sour taste at Stamford Bridge. Their last visit saw Daniel Amartey cause a brawl that included Mason Mount, Thiago Silva and more. The Blues felt hard done by Amartey's antics in their FA Cup final last summer. The Ghanaian was videoed throwing the Chelsea flag. We can expect a fiery atmosphere from the Chelsea faithful.
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"We are very happy we secured a top-four place, this is what the first target when we start the season, what we play for, but still it is two home games, and we will do everything to win them for our feeling, our supporters and for a positive end of the season," Thomas Tuchel said in his pre-match press conference.
The message is loud and clear. Thomas Tuchel is still hungry to give the fans a performance that they can be proud of. The season must end in good spirits despite the double blow that came with the Wembley finals. The last two matches mean that the Blues have nothing left to lose.
Just because the expectation is to win, it doesn't mean that Brendan Rodgers' men will make it as easy as it was in the reverse fixture. The Blues beat an injury-hit Leicester City 3-0 back in November. With key players such as Wesley Fofana and Youri Tielemans potentially back in the side, it will be a much tougher ask to replicate such a result.
With a message of positivity comes some level of doubt in Tuchel's pre-match conference. When asked if he expects an open game tonight, he said: "I am not sure I like the term open game so much, but they have found their form back and score a lot lately. They had a very up and down season, but at their top level, they are a dangerous team to everybody. They can hurt you in seconds with quality, speed, attacking mindset and fluid in attack.
"We will prepare for the very best version of Leicester, and we will need the very best version of us to be competitive. I don't want to predict the game because I don't know what's coming. Let's be open for everything. Hopefully, we find answers."
All in all, a win would be a nice result for every home fan able to be front and centre at the Bridge. Simultaneously, it's just as important to remain supportive regardless of the result. The boys will need to keep their heads high, and the crowd will be the 12th man to help them do so.
