Chelsea face Leicester as Enzo Maresca returns to former club – follow live

Reece James’ injury woes continued and suffered yet another hamstring injury to miss Chelsea’s Premier League match with Leicester.

The 24-year-old defender has started just three games for Chelsea in 2024. He missed the start of the season with a hamstring injury but returned against Liverpool last month, playing nearly an hour of the Premier League defeat. He also started games against Newcastle United and Manchester United and came off the bench against Arsenal before last week’s international break.

“It’s a hamstring issue, a muscle problem,” manager Enzo Maresca said on Thursday. “He felt something small and we don’t want to take any risks for the weekend.”

Maresca added: “It was two days ago. He has to try and avoid as much as he can but sometimes things happen even if you want to avoid that. Hopefully he can be available for the next one but he is not available for this one.”

Cole Palmer starts for Chelsea but there are changes in defence with Malo Gusto not yet fit, so Wesley Fofana moves to right back and Benoit Badiashile partners Levi Colwill at centre-back with Marc Cucurella at left back.

Enzo Fernandez returns into midfield as there is also a start for Joao Felix but Pedro Neto is not in the squad.

For Leicester, Jamie Vardy is fit to start, with Jordan Ayew and Patson Daka on the bench. Kasey McAteer is handed his first Premier League start.

Leicester XI: Hermansen; Justin, Faes, Okoli, Kristiansen; Winks, Ndidi, Soumare; McAteer, El Khannouss, Vardy

Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Badiashile, Colwill, Cucurella; Enzo, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Felix; Jackson

Chelsea are sitting third in the Premier League ahead of the restart following the international break – but there are only three points separating the teams in 3rd and 11th. The table could be looking very different by Monday night.

Jamie Vardy might not be having a party at the end of this season but he is still banging in the goals at 37 and Maresca rates the striker even more highly than England’s two top goalscorers – Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney.

“People don’t realise how good he is,” said Maresca. “I know England have been quite lucky because of Kane and Rooney, this type of striker, they are fantastic.

“But Jamie is, if you ask me, the best one.”

Enzo Maresca has lifted the lid on Leicester’s promotion celebrations ahead of Chelsea’s trip to his former team.

The venue for last April’s party was Maresca’s house when the players turned up unannounced at 2am.

Maresca recalled: “The best present I had from last season was when we got promoted and they arrived at my home. All the team.

“This showed the connection between the players; they could go for a party at a different place but they all arrived at my home. It was a fantastic connection and I will always be thankful for them.

“I was at home celebrating with my staff and my family and about two o’clock in the morning all the squad was there. We celebrated all together.

“When I was a player and I won things I never thought to go to the manager’s home. That shows the connection.”

Chelsea captain Reece James has suffered another injury setback and will be out because of a hamstring strain. Cole Palmer has been passed fit despite missing England duty, with Malo Gusto, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia and Jadon Sancho available too.

Leiceter have a few selection issues among the forward positions, with Jamie Vardy and Jordan Ayew potential doubts. Patson Daka it fit after three months out but winger Abdul Fatawu has suffered an ACL injury and will be out for the rest of the season.

The Premier League fixture kicks off at 12:30pm BST on Saturday 23 November at the King Power Stadium.

Leicester vs Chelsea TV channel and how to watch

It will be shown live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting from 11am. You can purchase a TNT Sports subscription via discovery+ here, for only £30.99 per month.

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